PITTSFORD, N.Y. — St. John Fisher University in Pittsford is aiming to help address the nursing shortage. It launched the Fisher Nursing Opportunity Program, a five-week initiative aimed at getting more nurses into the workforce.
Starting this summer, students will join a five-week residential institute from July 7 to August 8. The program focuses on academic readiness and early exposure to nursing.
Many of the students in the program are first-generation college attendees who need to acclimate to college life. Dr. Tricia Gatlin, dean of the Wegmans School of Nursing at St. John Fisher University, explained the program’s target demographic. “You have to be Pell Grant eligible and an incoming freshman,” she said.
The program is designed for students who have applied to Fisher as nursing majors. The dean will select about 20 interested students for the first cohort.
The initiative aims to equip students with skills to work as certified nursing assistants or patient care technicians. “Part of the summer institute will give students those skills to be able to enter into doing that work sooner than waiting until their junior year of nursing school,” Gatlin said.
The university is focusing on Pell-eligible students because they often progress at a slower pace. “They could be first-generation. No one in their family has ever gone to school before. They need to get acclimated to college life,” Gatlin added. The program also supports students who need to work to fund their education.
Once the semester begins, the cohort will have a student success person checking in monthly to provide support. Selected students will live in dorms to enhance their college experience.
Gaps in the healthcare industry
The nursing shortage is a national concern. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 189,000 openings each year until 2034, with over one million registered nurses expected to retire by 2030. The demand for nurses is increasing as the population ages, with the older adult population estimated to rise by 23% by 2050.
The university hopes these students will help fill a gap in the healthcare industry. “There is a need for nurses, but there is a need for healthcare workers as well,” Gatlin said.
Dr. Kathy Parinello, CEO of Strong Memorial Hospital and Highland Hospital, discussed the challenges in recruiting healthcare workers. “The pandemic was quite a scary time for many individuals,” she said. “There is sometimes that fear of contagion by having a role in healthcare.”
University leaders aim to create a swift pipeline from education to a career. “Everything from a CNA all the way up to an advanced practice nurse, that need is great,” Parinello said. “How can we help them get into the workforce faster and sooner?”
More about the program
Participants will engage in simulation experiences, clinical work, service projects, and workshops at the Glover-Crask Simulation Center.
Students will live in dorms, build a cohort, and receive academic enrichment in math, science, and English. This approach aims to prepare them for both college and the workforce. “We’re also going to do some academic enrichment. At the same time as giving them the skill set to be this nursing assistant,” Gatlin added.
Throughout the year, students will receive academic coaching, tutoring, mentoring, and financial aid guidance, benefiting from partnerships with local healthcare agencies for paid employment opportunities. You can learn more about the Nursing Opportunity Program here and the Wegmans School of Nursing here.
Summer program at Fisher aims to address nursing shortage by recruiting first-generation students WHEC.com.
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