Shirey says the RNPC Scholars are learning "didactic content," such as how nursing professionals work together as part of a team or how they understand and assess community health needs and when to intervene for prevention.
A resilience coach will be on staff to support RNPC Scholars, clinical mentors and faculty throughout the initiative.
In addition to focusing on the common conditions that patients have such as diabetes, hypertension and heart disease, Tuskegee's RNPC Scholars will examine other disparities such as those in maternal health and deaths due to childbirth, says Alveta Reese, assistant professor of nursing and faculty advisor of the RNPC project at Tuskegee.
The two Tuskegee RNPC Scholars have classes with their UAB peers every Thursday.
Roneshia Rudolph, another Tuskegee RNPC Scholar, says she is "very grateful" to be a part of such a "trailblazing" experience at the university.
Moreover, project officials hope that their community partners will value the RNPC students and will have positions available for them after their graduation.