Campuses in the State University of New York system have been awarded more than $1.4 million to help expand health care degree programs for students who are working toward a nursing career.

SUNY officials on Wednesday the second investment in less than a year for the Nursing Emergency Training Fund, part of an effort to expand the state's medical workforce by 20% over the next five years.

“Nurses are essential to ensuring and safeguarding the health and welfare of all New Yorkers, but the profession is facing a significant labor shortage—particularly in the aftermath of the COVID crisis,” said SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. “SUNY campuses are working to make it easier for more students to pursue this noble profession, and these awards will help make that goal a reality. I extend my congratulations to our campus awardees for developing crucial initiatives to bolster their enrollment capacity, and I thank the Governor and legislators for investing in SUNY and making essential opportunities like this possible for our students and the next generation of healthcare heroes.”

The state in May announced more than $3.2 million was awarded to 16 campuses to help increase nursing program capacity. Under the new round of funding, SUNY expects to increase the number of available slots for prospective students by 2,500.

“There is no question that nurses were indispensable during the pandemic. However, there is also no doubt that we face an acute shortage of nurses," said Sen. Toby Ann Stavisky. "The Nursing Emergency Training Fund will provide funding to train New York students for in-demand jobs in the nursing field. With most institutions of higher education facing declining enrollment, SUNY will use this money to expand enrollment and help establish New York’s higher education system as a leader in this demanding and important field.”

Health care networks and facilities have struggled with staffing shortages over the last several years, leading to financial problems for many institutions in the state.

Hochul last year announced bonuses for health care workers as well as the program to expand nursing programs in the state in order to boost and retain workers. All told, New York wants to hire more than 30,000 nurses over the next decade in order to fill current vacancies.

The campuses receiving the latest round of nursing program funding are SUNY Brockport, Corning Community College, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, SUNY Empire State College, Jamestown Community College, Mohawk Valley Community College, SUNY Morrisville, Niagara Community College, North Country Community College, Stony Brook University and Tompkins Cortland Community College.