BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – The UVM Health Network is touting new ways to address the nursing shortage with what’s believed to be a first-in-the-nation program to get nurses from the bedside into the classroom to train the next generation.
Officials say it’s part of a long-term strategy to address the shortage and support nontraditional learners.
“I have wanted to be a nurse as long as I can remember,” said Gabrielle Cicio of Northfield, who always dreamed of working in health care. “I grew up in Central Vermont and so it was really meaningful to me to be able to give back to the community.”
Her dreams are now a reality. She works at the Central Vermont Medical Center as a nurse educator, a position that is sorely needed across Vermont.
“There simply aren’t enough skilled people in the United States to fill all of the open positions,” said Jerald Novak of the University of Vermont Health Network.
The nursing shortage is nothing new, but the UVM Health Network is working on ending it, partnering with Norwich and Vermont State University on two nursing programs.
“I’m very excited,” Cicio said. “I think this program is really unprecedented. It gives us a lot of opportunities to increase and strengthen the workforce that we do already have.”
One program allows for an accelerated nursing degree, where UVM Health Network employees continue earning wages and benefits while studying to get their bachelor’s degree.
“It’s really amazing the opportunity that we’ve been provided not only to be flexible with our schedules because lots of us work full time and have families,” said Matthew Thurston of Barre.
Officials at the health network say this financial stability is helpful for students who might have to reduce their work hours or leave their jobs to pursue education.
“Some of these strategies have never been tried before in the U.S. They are truly innovative,” Novak said.
The second program– the MSN Nursing Education Pathway— is meant to expand the number of nurse educators. Employees of the UVM Health Network can get paid to teach at either Vermont State University or Norwich and still get their full-time pay while providing clinical instruction for part of the week. Nursing schools reimburse the UVM Health Network and the employees keep their pay and benefits.
“It’s seamless, it’s unprecedented and it’s only in Vermont,” Novak said.
The programs are supported by a $1.5 million Vermont Agency of Human Services grant.
“I think in Vermont working together is what we do, it comes naturally to us and we’re happy to see that bringing us success in this space,” Novak said.
Some 35 students are currently enrolled in both of the programs. Part of the requirement is that graduates of these programs must commit to a two-year job.