Michigan initiates launch of its first nurse apprentice program

Editor's Note

Michigan has launched its first RN apprentice program in light of the state’s significant nursing shortage, HealthLeaders November 14 reports.

Created from a partnership with Corewell Health Ludington Hospital and West Shore Community College, the program will combine both instructive and experiential learning, as well as nurse mentorship, in order to make the path to RN more efficient.

Apprentices will enroll at West Shore’s nursing program for classroom and clinical education while also being employed and given on-the-job training by Corewell Health.

"The rural health workforce faces many challenges, including nursing shortages," Meleah Mariani, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, FACHE, CNO, at Corewell Health noted at the program’s launch ceremony, “The registered nurse apprenticeship can open doors for those who otherwise might not pursue a career in nursing," adding that this program could remove some of the typical obstacles in a nurse’s career path.

The partnership is currently developing admissions criteria, with the first apprentice program set to begin in 2023.