New Wave of Healthcare: SSM Health and Chamberlain University Tackle Nursing Shortage
In a ground-breaking initiative set to reshape the future of healthcare education, SSM Health in collaboration with Chamberlain University is launching a significant new nursing program. This timely measure aims to address the pressing shortage of nurses both in St. Louis and nationwide. According to Spectrum News, the shortage in the St. Louis area is stark, with deficits reaching about 3,000 registered nurses, an alarming 17% higher than the national average.
Addressing the Core Issue
Marcia Lysaght, regional vice president of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer for SSM Health, highlights that the dwindling number of nursing professionals is not just a local challenge but a reflection of broader post-pandemic dynamics. With turnover rates soaring between the mid to high 20s, the industry grapples with issues like burnout and, distressingly, violence directed at nurses.
The Aspiring Nurse Program: A Beacon of Hope
Slated to begin in Oklahoma this fall with plans to expand to St. Louis by November, the Aspiring Nurse Program offers a dynamic blueprint to inspire and train the next generation of nurses. Hands-on clinical training within the SSM Health facilities is just the start. Students enrolling in this program are offered a clear path to employment across four states, enhanced by meaningful tuition support.
Community-Centric Approach
Lysaght expresses the innovative essence of the program stating, “Burnout is a part that plays in nursing. Also, there’s a level of violence towards nursing, often from patients, that is also impacting the desire of others to remain in the nursing profession.” The strategy to counteract the shortage must be both creative and innovative, addressing the limitations universities face in scaling to the market demand.
Incentives for Aspiring Nurses
A key feature of the initiative is the support structure developed around current and future nurses. Scholarships offered by Chamberlain University, combined with tuition repayment for those opting to serve within the SSM Health network post-graduation, make this not just an educational endeavor but a sustainable career opportunity. “The benefit, I believe, of this program is that we will be really educating nurses who live in the community,” Lysaght articulates, underscoring the local impact envisioned.
For those interested in learning more about what promises to be a transformative entry point into the nursing profession, additional information can be found on the official websites of SSM Health or Chamberlain University. Together, these institutions are set to inspire a new generation to assume vital roles in healthcare delivery, making a tangible difference in communities they call home.
