Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller and the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) announced today that applications are open for the Rural Nursing Recruitment & Retention Program (RNRR). This initiative aims to provide eligible healthcare facilities with funds to incentivize nurses to work in rural areas of Texas.

“We’re at a critical point with health care in rural Texas,” said Commissioner Miller. “Rural health facilities are losing hardworking nurses left and right due to understaffing and burnout. These funds will help these facilities recruit and retain nurses, who are so necessary in providing quality healthcare.”

Under the RNRR, rural healthcare facilities can offer $15,000 in stipend assistance to nurses who agree to work or continue working at their facility. The program targets healthcare institutions that employ nurses, provide direct patient care, accept Medicare and Medicaid, and are located within a rural Texas county with a population of 68,000 or less.

Commissioner Miller expressed optimism about the potential impact of these funds on rural communities. “We have to give money to these small communities to help them attract the level of care offered in big cities, and this is just the start.”

Applications for the RNRR program are due June 27, 2024, at 11:59 PM. While TDA cannot review completed applications before the deadline due to the competitive nature of the award, staff are available to answer questions until 5:00 PM on June 27. Healthcare facilities are encouraged to reach out with any questions regarding eligibility.

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