Win-Win: CCH Partners with Gillette College to Educate Nurses
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It’s a unique partnership between higher education and healthcare that creates local jobs, increases community college enrollment and improves access to healthcare. Campbell County Health and Gillette College have worked together to educate nurses since 2005.
CEO Andy Fitzgerald calls it a ‘symbiotic relationship.’ The college educates nurses who graduate and then often work for CCH. It has the extra bonus of keeping talent local.
“Without our unique partnership it would be nearly impossible to provide a comprehensive nursing program,” says Mark Englert, Vice President of Gillette College.
CCH has covered the cost of a full-time educator and half the cost of a nursing program director for the past several years.
“Having a nursing school in our backyard has helped us recruit qualified nurses,” says Deb Tonn, Vice President of Patient Care Services.
The college offers an Associate of Applied Science Degree with a certification in nursing that allows graduates to sit for their RN licensing exam. Before the partnership, Gillette College graduated approximately 14 nurses every two years. Now they graduate 32 nurses every year.
“Students complete 600 hours of clinical training at our hospital, long-term care facility, lab and clinics,” says Veronica Taylor, Professional Development Manager for CCH.
“I have the most sincere gratitude for CCH’s vision and ongoing support of Gillette College,” Englert says.
CCH/Gillette College Partnership
- QUADRUPLED number of graduates each year
- Provided over $1 MILLION in support
- Funded 1 instructor every year since 2005
- Helped BUILD the Health Science Building, and owns half of it
- Hire 10+ graduates each year
