Gadsden, Ala.— As part of National Apprenticeship Week, Gadsden State Community College is highlighting the success of the innovative Nursing Apprenticeship Program for registered and licensed practical nurses. The program is the first of its kind in Alabama.
Launched in 2022, the Nursing Apprenticeship Program was created through a collaborative partnership between the Alabama Office of Apprenticeship, the Alabama Board of Nursing and the Alabama Community College System. The program provides a pathway for students to earn their nursing degrees while gaining invaluable on-the-job training.
“The Nursing Apprenticeship Program represents a major milestone in healthcare education in Alabama,” said Dr. Cynthia Mullinax, director of Gadsden State’s Nursing Program. “This program has been transformative for our students. It allows them to gain real-world paid clinical experience while completing their coursework. It’s made possible by the partners that have come together to support it.”
In 2022, the Alabama Legislature passed amendments to the Nurse Practice Act allowing healthcare employers to enter into apprenticeship agreements with community colleges. Gadsden State was the first institution in Alabama to take advantage of this new opportunity. Student apprentices serve as employees of local healthcare facilities and work alongside nursing mentors to gain practical experiences. Students must apply for a permit from the Alabama Board of Nursing and work under the supervision of a licensed nurse throughout their apprenticeship.
The Nursing Apprenticeship Program spans four semesters for registered nursing students and two semesters for students in the licensed practical nursing and the LPN-to-RN programs. It includes both classroom instruction and clinical hours that are required for Gadsden State’s nursing curriculum. Apprentices work two to three days a week and are compensated according to a tiered-wage structure that increases as their competencies and responsibilities grow. Students are not paid for on-campus classes, labs or simulations. They are paid for clinical hours only.
Applications are accepted four times a year, once for every admission cohort. Students must be active, current nursing students at Gadsden State and be at least 18 years old. Students must have successfully completed the first semester of the Nursing Program before applying. Once committed as an apprentice, students must work in the same facility for the entirety of the program. All apprentices sign an agreement with the employer.
“Apprenticeships are a win-win for students and employers alike,” said Hannah Tucker, the case manager for the Health Sciences Division. “For our students, this program offers hands-on learning experience that is unparalleled. They are learning from seasoned professionals to build their skills. This gives them a clear competitive edge in the job market. Employers also benefit by helping to train the next generation of nurses while filling crucial positions in their healthcare facilities.”
Halle Davenport, a student in the Nursing Apprenticeship Program, says she would recommend the apprenticeship program to all nursing students who are able to participate, adding “For those who are looking to work while in nursing school, it is an amazing opportunity for students to be able to work and gain clinical hours all at the same time. It has given me great patient experience to prepare me for the workforce when I graduate.”
Currently, 35 apprentices from the Gadsden State Nursing Program are working registered healthcare facilities across northeast Alabama. The number of apprentices is expected to grow as more healthcare facilities sign-on to participate.
“National Apprenticeship Week is the perfect time to celebrate the progress we’ve made with the Nursing Apprenticeship Program,” Mullinax said. “It’s a testament to the importance of collaboration between education and healthcare sectors to address workforce challenges and create opportunities for students to thrive.”
For more information, visit www.GadsdenState.edu/Nursing and click on the red “Apprenticeship Program” button.
Halle Davenport, a member of the Nursing Apprenticeship Program at Gadsden State
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