The partnership will strengthen career and education pathways for nursing students through a new Practical Nursing program.
Ivy Tech Community College has formed a partnership with IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital via a collaboration between the Ivy Tech Community College Nursing Program, the Ivy+ Career Link team, and IU Health. The new partnership has created a Practical Nursing program that will support nursing students as they pursue their education and future careers.
According to an article on Ivy Tech Community College’s website, Che’Reese Anderson, who serves as the college’s Dean of Nursing, was quoted as saying of the collaboration, “This partnership is more than a pathway to clinical experience. It’s an opportunity to empower our students with real-world knowledge, strong mentorship, and a sense of purpose from day one.”
The program has been designed to give employees of IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital the opportunity to advance their careers and become practical nurses while still being employed by the hospital. The collaboration will help strengthen the region’s workforce by preparing more individuals to work in patient care as LPNs, and providing hospital workers with the ability to upskill and advance their careers.
So far, 11 employees of IU Health have completed the program: Stephanie Bray, Kacey Coffman, Brandon Cross, Trenten Fritz, Virginia Goul, Kylie Hershey, and Lily Strouse.
Strouse explained what inspired her, a longtime ER technician and a mother of two, to take part in the program and pursue becoming an LPN. “The care I received when I became a mother inspired me to pursue nursing. I saw flyers in my unit and attended an info session. I had tried a traditional program years ago, but this felt like the right fit for me. My manager has even offered to let me observe nurses to help build my experience. I’ve started thinking, ‘When I’m a nurse, I’ll have to think like this.’ That shift in mindset has been huge. It’s set up to help you succeed. I’m so proud of myself for going back to school—something I thought I’d never do—with two kids and a job. It’s amazing to be here.”
Another program participant, Alex Fillmann, who is a medical assistant at IU Health, said, “I was inspired to go into nursing because I wanted the opportunity to help others. I’ve completed a few programs at Ivy Tech before, and I knew this would be a great fit. I work three to four days a week and attend classes two to three days. My office manager has been so supportive in helping me maintain a schedule that works. I’ve already learned so much on the job that connects to what we’re doing in class. It’s made my learning experience even stronger.”
For more information about Ivy Tech Community College, visit the school’s website.