TAMIU Receives $364,000 THECB Grant to Help Address Texas Nursing Shortage

Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) has been awarded $364,067 through the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s Nursing Shortage Reduction Program (NSRP) to support innovative initiatives designed to increase the number of qualified nursing graduates and strengthen the nursing workforce in South Texas.

The grant will support the TAMIU C.A.R.E.S. (Collaboration, Advancement, Readiness & Excellence in Scholarship) Initiative, a comprehensive effort led by the Dr. F. M. Canseco School of Nursing. The initiative is designed to strengthen student retention and progression, enhance clinical learning experience, and promote faculty excellence through faculty development and innovation.

The project is led by Iris Santos, clinical assistant professor and Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Program Coordinator; Dr. Elda Ramirez, dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences; Dr. Angie Michelangeli, clinical assistant professor & Nursing chair; and Dr. Sara A. Melendez, clinical assistant professor & director of the BSN Program.

Texas continues to face a significant nursing workforce shortage, particularly in underserved and border communities. As a regional leader in nursing education, TAMIU is committed to preparing highly qualified nurses to meet the healthcare needs of Laredo, Webb County, and surrounding communities, Ramirez said.

“This award reflects TAMIU’s commitment to developing the next generation of nursing professionals,” Ramirez said, “Through the CARES initiative, we will strengthen student success, enhance faculty expertise, and provide meaningful clinical experiences that prepare graduates to deliver high-quality care in our communities while promoting collaboration, professional development, and leadership through peer mentorship.”

TAMIU will expand professional development opportunities for nursing faculty through conference participation, certification preparation, specialized training, and continuing education in evidence-based teaching practices, simulation pedagogy, and emerging healthcare trends, Ramirez said.  The initiative will strengthen instructional effectiveness, foster innovation, and further support student success, she added.

 Grant funding will allow the School of Nursing to expand its simulation resources through the acquisition of additional equipment and the integration of standardized patients into the simulation experience. These enhancements will provide students with immersive, realistic clinical experiences that reinforce critical thinking, communication, and clinical decision-making skills in a safe learning environment, Ramirez said.

Beginning in Fall 2026, senior-level nursing students will serve as mentors for first-semester students through a structured peer-to-peer mentorship program. The program will promote academic success, professional socialization, wellness, communication, and critical-thinking development.

Peer mentoring has been shown to improve student confidence, engagement, sense of belonging, and retention while fostering leadership skills among nursing mentors, Ramirez said.

The TAMIU C.A.R.E.S. Initiative is expected to improve first-semester retention rates, increase progression and graduation rates, and ultimately expand the number of nursing graduates entering the healthcare workforce. The initiative aligns with state priorities to address nursing shortages will supporting TAMIU’s long-term goals of enhancing the nursing program’s capacity, strengthening faculty excellence, and advancing the University as a premier destination for nursing education, Ramirez said.