New Nursing Scholarship
University of Michigan Health-West creates scholarship to strengthen pipeline of nursing talent.
Medical experts will tell you that it’s better to prevent an emergency than treat an emergency. With that in mind, the University of Michigan Health-West is taking steps now to ensure a well trained and diverse nursing workforce.
The health system teamed up with the Grand Rapids Community College Foundation to provide scholarship support and paid-on-the-job professional experience for nursing students through the Amy Van Andel Nursing Scholars program.
“We know that GRCC nursing students are especially committed to their community,” said Kate Veenstra, associate chief nursing officer at UMH-West. “They also bring diverse backgrounds and experiences. These are values we share at UMH-West, and we’re really looking forward to building these mutually beneficial relationships.”
The program, launched in December, is open to students who have completed one semester of GRCC’s Nursing program. UMH-West will pay up to three semesters of their GRCC tuition, and they, in turn, will commit to working in the health system for two years after they become licensed registered nurses.
But UMH-West’s support doesn’t stop there: The health system has partnerships and tuition reimbursement programs to support their nurses as they work toward their bachelor’s degrees.
“GRCC has a great program, and they put out some outstanding nurses,” said Steve Polega, the health system’s chief nursing officer – and a GRCC alumnus. “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.”
The UMH-W partnership with GRCC addresses an urgent need amid warnings of a nationwide shortage of nurses. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts that more than 275,000 additional nurses will be needed annually from now through 2030.
The first group of students in the Amy Van Andel Nursing Scholars Program graduated in April. Plans call for 10 more students to graduate in each of the next three semesters: December 2023, April 2024 and December 2024.
Michelle Richter, GRCC Nursing program director, said the scholarship program is a great extension of the school’s approach to nursing education, which combines classroom instruction with clinical applications.
“We are proud of the success rate of our students, and this should help open doors to more of them,” she said. “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.”
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