Davenport University and Scholars Network partner to provide employment pathway for nursing students

Nursing students at Davenport University have been given a new option for the start of their careers, this time with less debt, thanks to a new partnership between the university and Scholars Network. The national program works to connect students and healthcare employers around the nation that offer both student loan repayment assistance as well as career opportunities.

The partnering organizations have recently started recruitment of eligible Davenport Bachelor of Science Nursing (or BSN) students into the Scholars Network program. Students can utilize the Scholars Network to find jobs with partnering health systems such as University of Michigan Health-Sparrow in Lansing, Michigan. These students would be able to qualify for student loan repayment assistance as long as they commit to work for the partnering employer upon their graduation.

For instance, students who are chosen by University of Michigan Health-Sparrow could be allowed to get as much as $40,000 in student loan repayment assistance as long as they fulfill a three year employment promise with the healthcare system. Students at Davenport University will also be able to have access to similar agreements with a variety of other participating health systems all over America. Some employers could offer as much as $65,000 in loan repayment assistance in exchange for a work commitment. The length of these employment commitments as well as the amount of student loan repayment assistance can vary by partnering healthcare system.

The Scholars Network model was designed to connect workforce needs with nursing education. The model allows for students at schools like Davenport to continue their clinical training and education while also gaining important networks with employers.

In an article posted on Davenport’s website, Amy Stahley, Ph.D., who serves as the dean of the College of Health Professions at the university, spoke on the school’s perspective on this agreement, saying, “At Davenport, we believe students who have the passion and ability to become nurses should have every opportunity to pursue their calling without the burden of immense debt. This partnership creates a strong connection between education and employment. Our students can focus on becoming exceptional nurses, knowing they’re on the path to a rewarding profession. It’s a win for students, employers and for the patients they’ll serve.” 

Nursing students studying at Davenport who are eligible can apply through the Scholars Network platform as soon as they finish their first semester of clinical coursework. In order to be eligible, students must be in good academic standing with the school, and participating employers make the final decision about who they accept into the program.

The founder of Scholars Network, Dr. Sam Maron, spoke about the program, saying, “Higher education and healthcare are facing a shared challenge: how to prepare the next generation of clinicians without placing unsustainable financial burdens on students. This partnership with Davenport University reflects a forward-thinking approach that connects education directly to employment, reduces student debt and helps health systems build the nursing workforce they urgently need.” 

Current Davenport BSN pre-licensure students interested in participating in the program are currently being recruited. More information about the partnership between the Scholars Network and Davenport University can be found here.

More information about Davenport University and everything it offers can be found at the school’s website.