HOW SNAPPI WORKS

---

At the heart of SNAPPI is a unique time-buy back approach. Qualified nurses working full-time in hospitals are empowered to supervise nursing students within their familiar practice setting. These dedicated professionals receive compensation for their time spent guiding and mentoring students, all while maintaining their vital roles within the hospital. This creates a win-win scenario.

Building on the success of our initial feasibility studies, we are implementing four key strategies to scale and expand the impact of SNAPPI across Texas:

The program, funded by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's (THECB) Nursing Innovation Grant Program (NIGP), has already produced promising results in its four-site pilot study, which involved over 50 participants across multiple healthcare institutions, including: St. Luke’s Health-The Woodlands Hospital, Memorial Hermann Cypress Hospital, HCA Houston Healthcare North Cypress, Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital and Nurseify.

Key findings from the pilot include:

• The generation of 1.7 new faculty full-time equivalents (FTEs), reducing SHSU’s adjunct faculty needs by 10%
• An 83% response rate from participating nurses, students, and administrators
• Significant improvements in nurse job satisfaction and intent to stay
• Enhanced student clinical experiences and stronger connections with healthcare systems

Students have praised the program for improving their clinical education. One participant said, "I definitely felt more confident and comfortable with the [hospital's] staff knowing that my instructor is their coworker." Recognizing SNAPPI's transformative potential, the Governor's Task Force on Health Care Workforce Shortages has highlighted the program as a model for addressing the state's healthcare workforce challenges. Additionally, due the of the success of the pilot program the THECB has awarded the SON and SNAPPI program an additional $999,500 in grant funding for FY2025-2027.

With the right support, this expansion will offer a long-term solution to the nursing faculty shortage—allowing nursing schools to train more nurses and strengthen Texas' healthcare workforce. To achieve this, SNAPPI needs sustainable funding to expand to more healthcare systems and nursing schools, develop implementation tools, establish evaluation and improvement processes, and coordinate efforts across partner institutions.

By supporting SNAPPI's expansion, Texas has the opportunity to lead the nation in innovative solutions to the nursing shortage, ultimately ensuring high-quality healthcare for all Texans.