Hospital Launches Registered Nurse Apprenticeship Program
According to the Nebraska Center for Nursing, Nebraska will experience a nursing shortage of approximately 5,400 nurses within the next three years. Columbus Community Hospital is committed to sharing the positive aspects of nursing and supporting those with a passion for health care through its new Registered Nurse Apprenticeship Program.
The program includes four career tracks for potential candidates — Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) students, Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) students, accelerated BSN students and certified nursing assistants (CNA) who want to be nurses.
“In the face of the predicted nursing shortage, we had a choice,” said Mike Hansen, president and CEO of the hospital. “We could sit back and wait until 2025 or be proactive. This program positively promotes nursing and supports individuals who want to become nurses. We want to encourage people to consider nursing a viable career option, and this program will help us achieve that.”
During the program, nurse apprentices can choose an area of specialty and will receive a mentor in that specialty.
“We are looking to the future by investing in people who are interested in becoming nurses and returning to the hospital to practice,” said Dorothy Bybee, vice president of patient care services at the hospital. “The program supports each person through their journey with scholarships, financial support and mentoring, and will provide nurses for our community.”
Depending on the track they select, apprentices will receive work experience and scholarship assistance from the hospital that covers up to 75% of school tuition, books and fees. Program apprentices can qualify for loan forgiveness after graduating and successfully passing board exams.
The deadline to apply for the program is Friday, July 29. 2022. If applicants are accepted, hospital representatives will notify them by Aug. 15.
For more information and a link to the application, visit columbushosp.org or contact Dorothy Bybee at 402-562-4745 or Melinda Allen at 402-562-3363.