FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 11, 2024

Northwestern Medical Center Launches Nursing Pathway Expansion

(St. Albans, Vermont) – Northwestern Medical Center (NMC) welcomes seven new nurse apprentices into their pre-requisites at Community College of Vermont (CCV), marking the second of three nursing cohorts funded by a grant from the Agency of Human Services. This fall 13 current employees from various departments of NMC, are embarking on a three-year educational pathway to registered nursing. Upon completion and licensure, they have committed to work at the hospital for three years as an RN.

Kelly Campbell, Director of Professional & Organizational Development at NMC, manages the program. Campbell shared, “We are excited about the new students and the diverse number of departments represented in the cohort. We have participants from the Progressive Care Unit, Emergency Department, Cardiology, Restaurant and Catering, Operating Room, Orthopedics, OB/GYN, and Patient Sitters. We are especially grateful for our department management teams for their flexiblilty and support, helping to plan for work-release time for education.”

During the Cohort Kickoff celebration and orientation on Friday, Karen Casavant, a participant entering year two, shared her experience: “I took the Microbiology course online this summer. I’d never taken an online course before, so I was nervous about the subject and the pace, but I loved it. Now it’s one less course to take during my LPN year.” Casavant and other second-year apprentices offered tips and encouragement to the incoming group.

The Nursing Pathway Program is a strategic partnership between Northwestern Medical Center, Vermont Talent Pipeline (VBR Foundation), Vermont State University (VTSU), Community College of Vermont (CCV), and Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC) to address critical workforce skill gaps in Vermont. Advisors from CCV, VSAC, and VTSU participated in the celebration, emphasizing the importance of wraparound support services for employees in this program.

Although the Agency of Human Services did not reopen the grant for a second round of funding, as anticipated, several other healthcare organizations across the state have launched similar programs. The University of Vermont Medical Center, now in its third year; Southwestern Vermont Medical Center, in its second year; and Mount Ascutney Health Center, Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital, Gifford Medical Center, and Cedar Hill Continuing Care Community, all welcoming nurse apprentices this fall to address regional demand for nurses through employer-sponsored education. To learn more about how to start a Nursing Apprenticeship in Vermont, please reach out to the Vermont Business Roundtable’s Research and Education Foundation and Abby Stevens, abby at vtroundtable dot org.

Photo: This year’s new NMC apprentices join the cohort from last year. First-year apprentices are starting at CCV, while second-year apprentices are starting their Licensed Practical Nursing year at VTSU this Fall. Pictured Back Row left to right: Amirah Tarte, Hannah Branon, Emilia Montagne, Erika Russell, Caleb Rudden and front row left to right: Shannon Burk, Megan Leduc, Riley Gallagher, Alesha Laroche, Kamryn Taylor, Corrine Powell, Karen Casavant

VBR Research and Education Foundation is a 501(c)3 charitable organization, created by the Vermont Business Roundtable to promote educational opportunities for Vermonters to thrive in a local and global economy.  Vermont Talent Pipeline hosts a statewide, demand-driven healthcare employer collaborative with over 50 organizations to help fill critical skill gaps by aligning job demand with training programs.

 

CONTACT: Abby Stevens, Program Manager,

Vermont Talent Pipeline and VBR Research and Education Foundation

Vermont Business Roundtable   

abby (at) vtroundtable.org