CHEYENNE -- The Wyoming Community Foundation has received a grant to study how to address the shortage of nurses in the state and other nursing issues.

The foundation partnered with nursing organizations throughout the state to create the Nursing Workforce Project of Wyoming, a central location to address the state's nursing issues. The two-year grant is just more than $220,000.

Carol Macnee, a professor at the University of Wyoming's Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing, said there's a nationwide shortage of nurses. In addition, she said Wyoming faces unique challenges because of its rural nature.

"We're aging faster than other states in terms of population," Macnee said.

Although there are 5,573 registered nurses licensed in Wyoming, many of them work in other states. Many of the nurses who do work in Wyoming are approaching retirement.

Wyoming Health Care Commission and the Wyoming Department of Employment have studied Wyoming's nursing problem in the past. However, the workforce project intends to bring all the information together in one place.

The Northwest Health Foundation and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation are funding the two-year, $221,510 grant to the community foundation. Hospitals will be able to apply for cash to improve the workplace for nurses.

Macnee said hospitals could start an electronic records system to save nurses time or add employee childcare. She said other states have created similar workforce centers and said the goal is to make Wyoming's center permanent.