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Marshall Today
By the People, for the People
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Visits SMSU to Highlight Nursing Program Funding
The $1.2 million in federal funding will support renovations and new simulation lab equipment for the university's Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.
Apr. 2, 2026 at 5:07pm
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U.S. Senator Tina Smith visited Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU) on Wednesday to tour the future home of the school's new Bachelor of Science in Nursing program and highlight the $1.2 million in Congressionally Directed Spending that she and Senator Amy Klobuchar secured to support the project. The funding will be used to renovate classrooms, build a new simulation lab, and add modern healthcare technology to the program.
Why it matters
The nursing program expansion and facility upgrades at SMSU are part of a broader effort to address a critical shortage of registered nurses, particularly in rural communities across Minnesota and the country. The new simulation lab and technology will provide students with hands-on training to better prepare them for careers in healthcare.
The details
The $1.2 million in federal funding will allow SMSU to renovate classrooms, build a new simulation lab, and add modern healthcare technology to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. University officials say the simulation lab and equipment are essential for providing students with realistic, hands-on training in a controlled environment before they enter the workforce.
- The funding was secured by Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar in the 2026 appropriations bills.
- Senator Smith visited SMSU on Wednesday, April 2, 2026 to tour the future home of the nursing program.
The players
Tina Smith
U.S. Senator representing Minnesota.
Amy Klobuchar
U.S. Senator representing Minnesota.
Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU)
A public university located in Marshall, Minnesota that is launching a new Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.
What they’re saying
“It's really about listening to the people that are doing the hard work and helping to make sure that they get the money to make it happen.”
— Tina Smith, U.S. Senator
“When you ask Minnesotans what's the biggest worry, so many times they will say the cost of getting the healthcare that I need.”
— Tina Smith, U.S. Senator
What’s next
The new Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at SMSU is expected to welcome its first class of students in the fall of 2027 after the facility renovations and simulation lab upgrades are completed.
The takeaway
The federal funding secured by Senators Smith and Klobuchar will help SMSU expand its nursing education capabilities and provide students with state-of-the-art training facilities. This investment is a critical step in addressing the nursing workforce shortage, especially in rural communities across Minnesota.
