ST. ALBANS, VT — Northwestern Medical Center (NMC) celebrates a milestone this June as their third cohort of nursing pathway students advance after completing a year of prerequisite health courses to their Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) coursework at Vermont State University (VTSU). LPN is the first nursing credential in a stepped licensure training program, leading to Registered Nursing, one of the most critical professions in the NMC healthcare system.

Each participant is an NMC employee who is sponsored through a comprehensive three-year earn and learn program designed to help earn Registered Nurse licensure (RN). The initiative is funded, in part, through an Agency of Human Services Grant, to support the development of sustainable Nursing Apprenticeship Pipelines. The grant was awarded to NMC along with seven other Vermont hospitals in 2023 to address Vermont’s critical nursing shortage and grow the pipeline of nurses working in Vermont. NMC’s program provides financial support, covering tuition costs and paid study hours to allow employees to keep full-time employee status with benefits at NMC while attending nursing classes.

Peer Mentorship Strengthens Success

A key part of the program’s success is its peer-to-peer mentorship. Kamryn Taylor, 34, of Georgia, Vermont, is an RN student who exemplifies this approach by meeting with NMCs incoming cohort of new LPNs. Having completed her Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) this spring, Taylor is now advancing to RN studies and serves as a mentor to incoming LPN students.

“Know your anatomy and physiology—it’s the foundation that will really help,” Taylor advised her colleagues. “And find your study group. Don’t try to go it alone.”

Taylor aspires to work as an emergency room nurse upon completing the program. In the advancing cohort is Alesha Laroche, 42, from St. Albans. “I’ve worked at NMC Orthopedics for 14 years, so I’m excited to learn all the aspects of nursing – and then decide from which department I can best help patients.”

Program Impact and Retention

Kelly Campbell, Director of Professional and Organizational Development at NMC, oversees the nursing pathway program and celebrates the achievements of program participants. “It is great to see the bonds a cohort creates, allowing them to go through the rigor of nursing school and working with others —they lean on each other.” NMC has six nursing pathway participants graduating this week with their practical nurse certificate.

The nursing pathway program represents NMC’s strategic investment in addressing Vermont’s healthcare workforce challenges while providing career advancement opportunities for dedicated employees. The program is a partnership between NMC, CCV, VTSU, Vermont Student Assistance Corporation, and the Vermont Business Roundtable Foundation.

Media Contacts: Abby Stevens ([email protected]) or Katherine Laddison ([email protected])