Wright State Invests $6M to Expand Nursing Program

Partnership with Premier Health aims to address regional nursing shortage

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Wright State University and Premier Health are investing $6 million to expand Wright State's nursing program. The investment will allow the university to add new equipment and facilities to train more nursing students, with the goal of addressing the growing demand for nurses in the Dayton region.

Why it matters

The Dayton area, like many parts of the country, is facing a shortage of nurses. This investment in Wright State's nursing program is an effort to increase the pipeline of new nurses to meet the region's healthcare workforce needs.

The details

The $6 million investment will allow Wright State to gain new hospital beds, IV poles, trainers, and simulation supplies to enhance the hands-on training for nursing students. The partnership with Premier Health also includes opportunities for students to work at the healthcare system while in school and secure jobs there upon graduation.

  • The investment will be rolled out in two phases, with the first phase happening this summer and the second phase in the summer of 2027.
  • Wright State's nursing program currently has around 350 students enrolled, and the $6 million investment is expected to bring in an additional 540 students.

The players

Wright State University

A public university located in Dayton, Ohio that is investing $6 million to expand its nursing program.

Premier Health

A regional healthcare system that is partnering with Wright State University on the nursing program investment and providing job opportunities for graduates.

Nursing Program Dean

The Dean of the College of Health Education and Human Resources at Wright State University, who spoke about the importance of the investment and partnership.

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What they’re saying

“We know that there is a strong workforce demand for more nurses in our community and this is a way to serve those needs. This is a win-win for not only Wright State, but also our entire community as well as our practice partners.”

— Nursing Program Dean, Dean of the College of Health Education and Human Resources (Dayton 24/7 Now)

“Our nurses will come out knowing how to engage with the physicians, with the respiratory therapists, with the whole entire team so that they can better care for the patients that they're asked to serve.”

— Nursing Program Dean, Dean of the College of Health Education and Human Resources (Dayton 24/7 Now)

What’s next

The investment will be rolled out in two phases, with the first phase happening this summer and the second phase in the summer of 2027.

The takeaway

This investment in Wright State's nursing program is a proactive step to address the regional nursing shortage and ensure the Dayton area has the healthcare workforce it needs to meet the community's growing demand for quality patient care.