BEMIDJI, Minn. -– Sanford Health and Northwest Technical College (NTC) are partnering to help aspiring students reach their goals of becoming licensed practical nurses (LPNs).
Brian Mathews, director, human resources, Sanford Health of Northern Minnesota, described the loans as a way to encourage more students to join the LPN program. “The loan helps remove the financial barriers for students and provides us with talented new nurses upon graduation. It benefits us all. And an LPN degree is often a stepping stone for nursing students, who return to school for their registered nurse degree or other advanced technical training.” The program is in its third year and has been very successful.
Recipients of the LPN forgivable loan receive $5,000 toward their nursing education tuition. In return, after graduation, students work for two years in a full-time LPN position at Sanford Health in order to receive the full loan forgiveness. During their coursework at Northwest Technical College, they are also given the opportunity for employment at Sanford Health and mentored by a nurse leader.
The 2018 recipients are Talia Cox, Shelby Emery, Olha Finnelly, Hannah Hoege, Morgan Levy and Alexis Wood.
“The Sanford/NTC partnership is a great example of working together to create a highly skilled workforce to meet the needs of our community,” said Darren Strosahl, vice president for academic affairs at Northwest Technical College. NTC appreciates our partnership with Sanford as we share the common goal of helping students find career paths in health care. The practical nurse plays an important role at Sanford in providing health care to patients and NTC is proud to help students prepare for this very needed and rewarding career.”
Strosahl added, “Sanford’s commitment to provide financial assistance to help students pursue their career path reinforces the importance of gaining the skills needed to find a career that provides opportunity and advancement. Sanford and NTC both serve the community by helping individual students improve themselves so they can achieve career success. With such high demand for skilled nurses, we hope this program will grow and others in our community will take advantage.”
More information on nursing education
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Posted In News, Nursing and Nursing Support, People & Culture, Undergrad College Resources
