$51 million in latest funding to support nurses in 13 hospitals announced by private health foundation, raising their giving past the billion-dollar mark

The Mother Cabrini Health Foundation, New York’s largest grantmaking organization focused on improving the health and well-being of vulnerable communities, announced a $51 million investment to empower nursing professionals, reduce burnout, address workforce shortages, and improve patient care in 13 New York hospitals serving high-need populations.

The first-of-its-kind investment stems from the foundation’s ongoing commitment to bolster the healthcare workforce across New York State. The new “Nursing Initiative” grant program will help hospitals achieve industry-leading frameworks in nursing excellence, establish innovative programs to support front-line nurses, and help recent nurse graduates transition into the profession.

Each hospital will receive $1–5 million over five years to pursue American Nursing Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet Recognition or Pathway to Excellence status, driving nursing excellence and healthcare transformation.

The grant will also assist hospitals in establishing or expanding virtual nursing and nurse residency programs. 

The new initiative will ultimately support more than 6,500 nurses statewide and positively impact care for more than 7 million outpatient visits annually.

“From Binghamton to the Bronx, New York nurses are the backbone of patient care, demonstrating dedication and resilience. Our Nursing Initiative is designed to provide the resources needed to ensure they can thrive and deliver the highest quality of care,” said Msgr. Gregory Mustaciuolo, Chief Executive Officer, Mother Cabrini Health Foundation. “By supporting nurses, we invest in better patient care and outcomes.”

The Mother Cabrini Health Foundation’s bold philanthropic investment will play a vital role in recruiting and retaining nurses while fostering the supportive environments they need to thrive,” said Angela Beddoe, Chief Executive Officer of American Nurses Enterprise.

“We are proud to be a partner in this transformative effort to help New York hospitals pursue their accreditation journey. When nurses are empowered to lead and deliver care at the highest level, patients benefit—and entire communities are healthier for it.”

Nursing Initiative grantees were selected from among more than 50 hospitals that applied through a competitive request for proposals. The extensive selection process, which included visits with hospital leadership, aimed to develop a portfolio of grantees representing a diversity of hospital sizes and geographies across New York State.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation for this investment in professional nursing practice, which will strengthen Rome Health’s role as a safety net hospital providing access to high-quality care for our most vulnerable residents,” said Rome Health President & CEO AnneMarie Czyz, Ed.D., RN.

“For financially challenged Upstate community hospitals like ours, this level of investment is transformative, supporting virtual nursing, continuing education, leadership development, and workforce well-being as we work toward Magnet recognition.”

“At St. Barnabas Hospital, we are dedicated to serving the diverse and underserved population of the Bronx with the highest quality care. Our commitment to excellence is unwavering, and we recognize the critical importance of pursuing accreditation through the Pathway to Excellence program,” said Martine Edwards MSN-Ed, BSN, RN-BC Vice President-Nursing Operations & Quality Nursing Saint Barnabas Hospital.

“This accreditation not only validates our efforts to provide safe, effective, and patient-centered care but also strengthens community confidence in our services. By achieving this milestone, we ensure that our patients receive the best possible care, fostering a healthier and more resilient community. Together, we are building a brighter future for The Bronx.”

“As a nurse at Mercy Hospital, the incredible support from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation to achieve Magnet Accreditation and invest in our nurse residency program is just incredible,” said Catherine Nicpon, RN, BSN, CBC, Mercy Hospital, Catholic Health System of Long Island – Rockville Centre, NY. “This investment in our nurses will help us to deliver the best quality of care to the patients that count on us.”

The Mother Cabrini Health Foundation developed the Nursing Initiative following the findings of a healthcare workforce report by the Center for Health Workforce Studies in Albany.

The report found major factors that contribute to persistent RN shortages, including challenges with new RN preparedness, unsupportive work environments, workplace violence, burnout, and the experience gap created by the retirement of older nurses and generational differences in career expectations that impact nurse tenure at hospitals.

In addition, according to data referenced in the report, 15% of hospital patient care RNs between the ages of 20 and 39 reported plans to leave their current position within the next 12 months, underscoring the urgency of addressing these challenges.

To address these challenges holistically, the new Mother Cabrini Nursing Initiative will help hospitals pursue ANCC Pathway to Excellence or Magnet accreditations – industry-recognized frameworks that set leading standards of nursing excellence. In addition, the grant will also support virtual nursing and nurse residency programs. 

• Pathway to Excellence – administered by the ANCC, this program recognizes healthcare organizations that foster a supportive and empowering workplace for nurses. It emphasizes shared decision-making, leadership, safety, quality, well-being and professional development. Achieving this status is a mark of distinction recognized worldwide.
• Magnet Recognition – awarded by the ANCC, is a prestigious designation for healthcare organizations demonstrating excellence in nursing practice and patient care. Magnet-recognized organizations are known for providing high-quality patient care, resulting in better patient outcomes, lower error rates, and fewer healthcare-acquired infections.
• Nurse Residency Program—designed to help new nursing graduates transition smoothly into professional practice. These programs provide structured learning experiences, combining classroom instruction with clinical practice. They offer mentorship and support from experienced nurses, which helps new nurses build confidence and reduce stress. They also increase job satisfaction and reduce turnover rates by fostering a supportive work environment.
• Virtual Nursing – a flexible and innovative approach to healthcare delivery, especially in times of workforce challenges. Frontline nurses benefit from virtual nursing models through increased support, reduced administrative workload, and enhanced mentorship from experienced virtual nurses. Virtual nurses can assist with tasks like admissions, discharges, and patient education while allowing front-line nurses to dedicate more time to direct patient care.

The Mother Cabrini Health Foundation is a private, nonprofit organization established in 2019 to improve the health and well-being of New Yorkers, bolster the health outcomes of vulnerable communities, eliminate barriers to care, and bridge gaps in health services.

Named after a tireless advocate for immigrants, children, and the poor, the Foundation funds programs and initiatives across New York State that provide direct health care services and address social determinants under five grant program areas: Access to Care, Basic Needs, Healthcare Workforce, Mental & Behavioral Health, and the General Fund.

In 2024, the foundation marked $1 billion in grantmaking to support communities across the state.