The year-long pilot program gave participants the ability to work as a cohort, build relationships, and receive mentoring from senior nurse leaders and educators during their journey. With financial help from Memorial Hermann’s Learn Well Program to pay for tuition and take part in clinical rotations, employees who have earned their certificate can now apply to work as a nurse in a Memorial Hermann facility.
“I came to this country 10 years ago and the fact that I am becoming a LVN at my age is very exciting,” said 70-year-old James Isaboke, one of this year’s graduates who currently works as a patient care technician at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center. “I have received so much support from my colleagues during this year-long journey and could not have done it without them. The program has allowed me to improve my clinical skills, and I am looking forward to interviewing and hopefully now serving patients as a LVN at Memorial Hermann.”
The current nursing shortage plaguing the country is expected to reach more than 50,000 by 2032. Bryan Sisk, senior vice president and chief nursing executive with Memorial Hermann, believes this program is an innovative way to build a sustainable talent pool of skilled caregivers dedicated to advancing patient care. Partnering with HCC and other institutions on nursing programs supports a pathway for employees to bolster their professional growth and advance their careers while providing them with opportunities that otherwise might not be possible.
“I am very proud of this first group of employees who have worked to become LVNs,” Sisk said. “This program removed some of the barriers for people like James and has given them a better chance to succeed. We’re not only addressing the current and future workforce shortages but also helping these individuals realize their career goals.”