The University of Maryland Medical System yesterday announced a $5.1 million initiative to recruit nurses and other clinical experts from Maryland’s community colleges.
The UMMS Community College Tuition Assistance Incentive program includes 600 openings – 300 for registered nurses (RNs) and 300 for other clinical positions such as certified nursing assistants and radiographers.
Through the program, RN new hires will receive $12,000 and non-RN new hires in select clinical roles will receive $5,000 post-graduation.
The announcement comes as hospitals and healthcare facilities nationwide face staffing shortages.
Thousands of healthcare workers have left their jobs as a result of pandemic burnout and an increased workload.
According to the latest job report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the healthcare workforce has lost 450,000 workers since February 2020, with nursing and residential care facilities accounting for nearly all of the loss.
And in a recent survey by the American Nurses Foundation, 21% of nurses said they planned to leave their job in the next six months.
Of those who said they planned to leave, half said it was because work was negatively impacting their health and wellbeing.
“The demand to fill skilled clinical positions is at an all-time high and we want to be the employer of choice for community college graduates seeking employment in health professions,” said Lisa Rowen, UMMS senior vice president and chief nurse executive.
Nurses who are selected to receive funding from the program must commit to two years of full-time work at their organization, and non-RN hires must commit to one year.
The initiative will be effective with graduates beginning in December.
A team of leaders from clinical care services, human resources, and finance at each member site will review applications and select awardees.
For the initiative, the system is partnering with Anne Arundel Community College, Baltimore City Community College, Cecil College, Chesapeake College, College of Southern Maryland, Community College of Baltimore County, Harford Community College, Howard Community College, Montgomery College, Prince George’s Community College, Wor-Wic Community College and Delaware Technical Community College.
