SSM Health, a Catholic, nonprofit integrated health system with care delivery sites in Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma and Wisconsin, is rethinking its approach to the nursing shortage.
SSM is developing a partnership with Chamberlin University, part of Adtalem Global Education Inc., designed to fund nursing education, enhance clinical readiness and create a pathway to employment across SSM Health.
The partnership offers a direct, employment-focused pathway for aspiring nurses by combining tuition support with immersive clinical experience, and the opportunity for job placement within SSM Health facilities after graduation. In return, students commit to joining SSM Health’s workforce, creating a sustainable talent pipeline that is projected to produce more than 400 new nurses annually.
“The nursing shortage demands bold, scalable solutions,” said Laura S. Kaiser, president and CEO of SSM Health, in a statement. “The Aspiring Nurse Program is a strategic long-term investment in our people and our mission. It’s designed to meet today’s workforce challenges while building a stronger, more resilient future for nursing.”
The Aspiring Nurse Program launches in Oklahoma this fall through Chamberlain’s online Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, with additional cohorts to follow in St. Louis and Jefferson City, Mo., as well as in Illinois and Wisconsin. Students will train directly within SSM Health facilities—where they may eventually work—gaining firsthand experience with the health system's work culture, care practices and technology systems before starting their professional careers.
“This program is more than a solution to the nursing shortage—it’s a bold reimagining of how we grow and support the next generation of nurses,” said Amy Wilson, D.N.P., chief nurse executive for SSM Health, in a statement. “By investing in education and clinical experience from day one, we’re not only preparing students for success—we’re strengthening the future of patient care across our communities.”
About the Author
David Raths
David Raths is a Contributing Senior Editor for Healthcare Innovation, focusing on clinical informatics, learning health systems and value-based care transformation. He has been interviewing health system CIOs and CMIOs since 2006.
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