The Tennessee Hospital Association (THA) has launched the state’s first registered, pre-licensure nurse apprenticeship program—an innovative clinical education model designed to help build a stronger healthcare workforce in Tennessee. The program provides nursing students with the opportunity to complete their training in professional healthcare settings while earning wages and strengthening their clinical confidence, judgment, and skills acquisition.
“THA is helping close the gap in Tennessee’s healthcare workforce by advancing strategies that strengthen recruitment and retention.
This new nurse apprenticeship model is a direct result of strong collaboration with our member hospitals, educational partners, and workforce leaders. Having an apprenticeship program has been a long-standing wish of Tennessee hospitals, and we’re proud that THA was able to bring this to fruition on behalf of our members,” said Dr. Wendy Long, THA President and CEO. “The program offers nursing students valuable, real-world clinical experience while easing their financial burden. At the same time, it supports healthcare employers by building a stronger, more prepared pipeline of future nurses, positively impacting Tennessee’s healthcare workforce now and for years to come…