Grand Rapids Community College and University of Michigan Health-West team up for pipeline nursing program
Nursing students at Grand Rapids Community College will have the opportunity to have several semesters of tuition covered in exchange for working at University of Michigan Health-West after they complete the program, thanks to a new partnership.
Up to three semesters of paid tuition to nursing students at Grand Rapids Community College are being offered by University of Michigan Health-West as part of a new partnership.
Interested students will receive the tuition support if they agree to work at University of Michigan Health-West for two years after they earn their nursing license.
The new nursing pipeline program will launch this month as a partnership between Grand Rapids Community College and University of Michigan Health-West.
Any Grand Rapids Community College student who has successfully finished at least one semester of the school’s nursing program is eligible to apply to the program. Those who take part in the partnership program will have as many as three semesters of their Grand Rapids Community College tuition paid for by University of Michigan Health-West. For their part, the students will commit to two years of employment at University of Michigan Health-West after their completion of the nursing program at Grand Rapids Community College.
In addition, University of Michigan Health-West will also help graduated nursing students proceed on to their bachelor’s degree in nursing. Existing tuition reimbursement and partnerships are already in place to help with this process, which will take place as the nurses work at University of Michigan Health-West.
Peter Hahn, CEO of University of Michigan Health-West, was quoted in a press release by MLive about the partnership: “By removing cost barriers – including for adult learners and others who need to continue working while finishing their education – the program creates and nurtures a diverse pipeline of local healthcare talent. We see this as an investment not just in our workforce but in West Michigan itself. This is a way to ensure that the new generation of rising healthcare leaders reflects the communities we serve.”
Grand Rapids Community College’s interim president Juan R. Olivarez talked about how the partnership is an example of the school’s long history of working to help students from diverse backgrounds and ages attain the skills and education needed to work rewarding jobs in promising industries. Olivarez said, “Partnerships make communities stronger. This program’s innovative approach is a great example of how working together creates opportunities for students while helping healthcare providers and our greater community.”
Funding for the program was provided by a grant from the University of Michigan Health-West Foundation, which is a nonprofit dedicated to providing access to healthcare in Michigan.
The goal for this year is to have between 10 and 15 nursing students sign up for the program. These students should graduate by April of next year. Over the course of the next three semesters, December 2023, April 2024, and December 2024, ten more nursing students will be enrolled each semester.
Grand Rapids Community College’s Nursing Program Director spoke on the partnership, and the opportunities it will provide for the school’s nursing students, such as guaranteed work experience without delay after getting their licensure: “Assisting students with tuition allows them to focus on completing their education, and ultimately enter the workplace more quickly and better prepared. The opportunity for employment upon graduation allows students to be able to serve the community in a rewarding career, and continue adding skills and advancing their education.”
Beyond creating a pipeline of local nursing talent, the partnership between the two institutions will be a way to help address the national nursing shortage. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 203,000 job openings for registered nursing positions will appear every year through 2031.
Steve Polega, chief nursing officer at University of Michigan Health-West, spoke on the partnership and the benefits it will bring, saying, “GRCC has a great program and they put out some outstanding nurses. Once they have that two-year degree, they will have a chance to put their skills to work, explore their career passion and advance toward their BSN – which opens a whole new level of opportunity for nurses.”
More information about Grand Rapids Community College can be found on the school’s website, and more information about University of Michigan Health-West can be found at its website.