York, Pa.-based WellSpan Health has launched a new financial assistance program to help address the state’s nursing shortage.
The WellSpan Scholars program, developed in collaboration with talent recruitment service Scholars Network, offers up to $65,000 in financial assistance to nursing students who commit to joining WellSpan after graduation. Medical imaging and physical therapy students are also eligible for the program, with the amount varying by role.
Participants will also receive career advising and connect with their future teams before graduation.
“From early engagement with WellSpan to personalized advising, Scholars are given the tools they need to thrive before and after they graduate,” Patricia Donley, DNP, senior vice president and chief nursing executive at WellSpan Health, said in a Sept. 29 news release. “This program allows us to attract and retain the best talent by offering meaningful career pathways and support structures that benefit both students and their future patients.”
Pennsylvania faces one of the most severe nursing shortages in the nation, with an estimated 20,000 nurses needed by 2026, according to the Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania.
Since its launch this spring, nearly 100 students have applied to the program.
