The Oregon Center for Nursing (OCN) recently awarded approximately $350,000 in grants to projects that promote mental health and emotional wellness for nurses. The funds were made available through the Congressionally Directed Spending allocation from the offices of Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden.

The grants were awarded to projects from around the state and in various settings where nurses practice. These projects aim to improve the overall well-being of nurses and will be completed by 2024. A full list of the funded projects can be found here.

“The Oregon Center for Nursing is thrilled to be able to support these important projects that aim to improve the mental health and emotional well-being of nurses,” said Jana Bitton, Executive Director of OCN. “We know that nurses are on the front lines of providing care and are often under tremendous stress. By investing in their well-being, we can improve patient outcomes and help create a more sustainable healthcare system.”

In addition to the grants, OCN is collaborating with the Oregon Department of Human Services to promote well-being at an organizational level for nurses who work in long-term care settings. OCN accepted applications for the second round of grants through the end of April 2023.

Learn more about the OCN RN Well-Being Project, a statewide wellness and mental health initiative for nursing staff, here.