Since the mid-1900s, the demand for nurses has consistently risen. However, following the COVID-19 pandemic—and the increased workload and subsequent health care workforce burnout—our nation is confronting the greatest nursing shortage in nearly five decades.
To support the growing nursing demand, Memorial Hermann has over 200 academic partners to support students in clinical rotations and preceptorships. To further stem the tide, Memorial Hermann works closely with several academic partners throughout the Houston area to develop advanced partnerships and implement new and innovative strategies and programs that support a pathway for nursing candidates to bolster their professional growth and advance their careers while providing them with opportunities that otherwise might not be possible. A few examples include:
- A new pilot program with Houston Community College is giving Memorial Hermann employees a chance to attend nursing school full-time while also working full-time, keep their benefits, and still have one to two days off each week.
- A partnership with Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth Houston’s new scholar’s program where Bachelor of Science degree (BSN) nursing students in their senior year can complete all clinical rotations at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center and are hired into a Professional Student Nurse (PSN) role.
- A third partnership with St. Thomas University focused on a Student Nursing Accelerated Program (SNAP), where nursing students with a prior bachelor’s degree can complete all applicable clinical rotations for their BSN at Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center.
- Another example with Sam Houston State University developed the SNAPPI Program (Shared Nursing Academic Practice Partnership Initiative Program). This program will provide a framework for shared faculty placements at scale to help grow the nursing workforce.
“We believe by removing some of the barriers for a working adult to become a licensed nurse that they will have a better chance to succeed,” said Bryan Sisk, executive vice president and chief nursing executive for Memorial Hermann. “No one entity can do this alone. Our academic partners play a critical role in helping us find and train the next generation of nurses that will hopefully allow us to put a dent in the nursing shortage in the Houston area and throughout Texas.”
These are just a few examples of the many advanced partnerships that are piloting innovative programs. Other Memorial Hermann academic partners include the University of Houston; San Jacinto Community College; Houston Christian University and Lone Star College.