Gero-STARR
Specialized Training to Advance Recruitment and Retention of nurses in acute and long-term care.
The Gero-STARR (Specialized Training to Advance Recruitment and Retention of Nurses in Acute and Long-term Care) program is funded by Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to increase nursing capacity in North Dakota. The overall goal of the Gero-STARR program is to increase the number of nursing students from ND who will stay to work as nurses in North Dakota in acute and long-term care settings after graduation, particularly in rural areas.
Building the Future of Rural Nursing in North Dakota
The Gero-STARR program prepares undergraduate nursing students to deliver high-quality Age-Friendly Care in acute and long-term care settings following graduation.
Supported by a $3.6 million grant over 4 years from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Gero-STARR strengthens the rural healthcare workforce while supporting nursing students through mentorship, training, and financial assistance.
Addressing Two Critical Needs
- Rural nursing workforce shortages
- Improve outcomes through application of Age-Friendly Care
North Dakota’s aging population and rural health systems require nurses who are prepared, supported, and committed to serving their communities. Gero-STARR students agree to work in North Dakota for at least one year after graduation. The Gero-STARR program uses the 4Ms of Age-Friendly Care as a lens for the care of older adults. The 4Ms Framework has demonstrated improved patient and healthcare outcomes.
Program Impact
The 2027 cohort will include eight students who agree to work in a North Dakota acute or long-term care facility following graduation for a minimum of 1 year.
Gero-STARR is building a more sustainable nursing workforce for the future of North Dakota.
Why participate in the Gero-STARR Program?
Upon completion of the program, UND students will receive an electronic badge and course credit for the Gero-STARR summer course, Special Topics: Age Friendly Care (2 credits) on their transcript. Students will also receive a certificate of completion upon meeting all program requirements. The specialized training is over and above the undergraduate program, and can be listed on a Curriculum vitae. The Gero-STARR community provides both academic and non-academic support, creating a welcoming environment that feels like a home away from home.
UND Gero-STARR Students Receive
- Generous scholarships
- Monthly living expense stipend
- Mentoring
- Academic and non-academic support
- Designated study and gathering space
- Age-Friendly Care training course (classes, simulation, & clinical experiences)
- Monthly Enrichment Sessions
- Age-Friendly Care credential (“Badge”)
Message from the Program Director
The Gero-STARR Program provides nursing student mentoring, scholarships, living expense stipends, academic and non-academic support, and access to the Gero-STARR Learning Space to promote your success in a caring community that creates a sense of belonging. The Gero-STARR Team is an interdisciplinary group of faculty and staff members dedicated to your success in the nursing program. - Dawn Denny, Ph.D., R.N., O.N.C., FNAON
Gero-STARR in the News
- UND launches Gero-STARR to tackle rural nursing shortage, improve older adult care, UND TODAY, 2/16/26
- UND President Video interview with Dawn Denny, Principal Investigator of the Gero-STARR Program, UND Biweekly President Video, 4/17/2026
- Gero-STARR: Building North Dakota’s Rural Nursing Workforce, Prairie Public MainStreet, 2/24/2026
- Gero-STARR at UND, North Dakota Today, 3/10/26
Acknowledgment of Funding
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) provided financial support for this Gero-STARR Program. The award provided 100% of total costs and totaled $942,474.00 for the 2025-2026 budget year. The contents are those of the author. They may not reflect the policies of HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government.