Corewell Health West, formerly Spectrum Health, is partnering with a West Michigan community college to create the state’s first registered nurse apprenticeship program.
Corewell’s Ludeton Hospital is partnering with West Shore Community College in Scottville, about 9 miles east of Ludeton, to implement this program.
Representatives from the health system, colleges, the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, and Michigan Works! The health system said in a press release that it signed the agreement last week at the Soaring Eagle Casino in Mount Pleasant.
Apprentices will be enrolled in an existing nursing program at the West Shore and employed by the Ludeton hospital, where they will undertake on-the-job training. Students will receive salary and benefits from Corewell when participating in the program.
The program will reduce the time it takes to become a registered nurse to just one year, while a traditional program takes two to four years to complete.
Download the Modern Healthcare app to stay up to date with industry news.
“The rural health workforce faces many challenges, including nursing shortages,” said Meleah Mariani, chief nursing officer at Corewell Health Ludeton Hospital. “Enrolling in a nursing apprenticeship can open doors for people who might not be pursuing a career in nursing. So many times, I’ve heard someone say, ‘I’ve always wanted to be a nurse. ‘, but the need to work full-time, the need to care for children and other related costs create barriers.”
Michigan works! is expected to assist apprentices in the form of babysitting coordination, transportation vouchers and other services.
Institutions will now work to develop an admissions and application criteria with the expectation of accepting apprentices at an unspecified date in 2023.
Corewell did not respond to Crain’s request for more details.
This story first appeared in our sister publication, Crain’s Detroit Business.
