JAMESTOWN, N.D. (UJ) – The University of Jamestown announces a partnership with Sanford Health, the largest rural healthcare system in the country, along with other regional healthcare providers. The unique partnership aims to educate aspiring nurses locally.
Through the partnership, UJ will offer essential education opportunities, including an Associate of Science in Nursing and a Direct-Entry Master of Science in Nursing, online and at their new innovative learning center in Fargo. These accelerated programs do not require any prior healthcare experience, allowing prospective nurses the opportunity to pursue flexible education, balance work and school commitments, and benefit the healthcare system with their training.
By making these programs available in conjunction with local hospitals, University of Jamestown president Dr. Polly Peterson said UJ will be able to better prepare the next generation of nurses, address the pressing nursing shortage, and contribute to the long-term sustainability and well-being of local communities.
“We are delighted to be supporting Sanford Health and the Fargo community by providing access to such important programs,” said Dr. Peterson. “With this vital partnership, we can actively address the dire need for nurses by offering online access to education in our communities.”
UJ was one of 25 organizations chosen to receive funding from the Department of Labor’s Nursing Expansion Grant Program. This grant facilitated the establishment of UJ’s cutting-edge learning center in collaboration with Sanford Health, where students can complete their in-person learning requirements.
“Sanford Health is committed to supporting initiatives aimed at relieving the workforce challenges many hospitals are facing,” said Theresa Larson, MSN, BSN, RN, chief nursing officer at Sanford Health Fargo. “By nurturing the future caregivers of our communities, we are not only shaping health care; we are enriching the lives of those we serve and their families.”
In a time when rural communities are feeling the strain of nursing shortages, this initiative offers students the chance to earn their degrees and promptly launch their nursing careers in regional health care systems. Over the span of the three-year grant, more than 200 newly trained nurses are expected to be working within local communities.
“Our goal has always been to make nursing education more accessible, and with this partnership, we can,” said Dr. Paul Olson, provost at the University of Jamestown. “We look forward to seeing the impact these students will make within our local communities in the coming years.”