Corewell Health West, formerly Spectrum Health, is partnering with West Michigan Community College to create the state’s first RN apprenticeship program.
Corewell’s Ludington Hospital is partnering with Westshore Community College in Scottville, approximately 9 miles east of Ludington, on the program.
Representatives from the Health System, University, Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, and Michigan Jobs! The agreement was signed last week at Mount Pleasant’s Soaring Eagle Casino, the health system said in a release. At Ludington Hospital, where they will undergo on-the-job training. Apprentices will receive salary and benefits from Corewell for the duration of the program.
The program will reduce the time it takes to become an RN to just one year, compared to the one-year completion time for traditional programs ranging from two to four years.
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“The rural health workforce faces many challenges, including nursing shortages,” Meleah Mariani, Chief Nursing Officer at Corewell Health Ludington Hospital, in a press release Say. “Registered nurse apprenticeships can open doors to people who might not otherwise have pursued a career in nursing. So many times, I’ve heard people say ‘I’ve always wanted to be a nurse’ but required full-time work, childcare and other associated costs Created an obstacle.”
Michigan Works! Help is expected for apprentices in the form of coordinating childcare, transport vouchers and other services.
Organizations will now work on developing entry and application criteria, with an expectation of accepting apprentices at an unknown date in 2023.
Corewell did not respond to Crain’s request for more details.
This story first appeared in our sister publication, Crane’s Detroit Business.
