In order to assist in combating COVID-19, North Carolina needs more doctors and nurses. In an effort to help, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill will offer waived tuition and fees for a Registered Nurse Refresher theory course for April.

According to a press release from UNC, The program is meant to “help trained and licensed nurses quickly get back into the field as COVID-19 caused a surge in the state’s need for health care personnel.”

Recent industry data and projections show North Carolina is expected to have the second-largest shortage of nurses in the nation by 2025 – a deficit of nearly 13,000 nurses in the state. With demand for trained medical staff increasing in the short term, the program is more crucial now than ever.

“This pandemic underscores an urgent need for experienced healthcare professionals across our state,” said Nena Peragallo Montano, dean of the UNC School of Nursing, in the release. “We’re hopeful that by offering this fast-track program and making it more accessible we can help nurses across the state as they continue serving North Carolinians in our fight against coronavirus.”

The referesher course includes self-paced, online theory instruction and a clinical practicum. The clinical practicum fee of $250 cannot be waived. The program for registered nurses can be utilized by both those who have lapsed in their licensure and active RNs who are looking to refresh and update their knowledge.

Historically, the theory course takes up to nine months to complete. To graduate nurses in time to meet the highest need, the accelerated version must be completed in three months.

Nurses who want to apply for the program and waived fees can visit nurserefresher.web.unc.edu/covid-19 for more information.

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