DEVILS LAKE, ND – The nursing program and apprenticeship program at Lake Region State College (LRSC) have collaborated to create a nursing apprenticeship program. This program is designed to meet workforce needs in North Dakota.
On January 21, the program was given approval by the North Dakota Board of Nursing as an innovative educational model/approach. The Innovation in nursing education approach was put into rule by the ND Board of Nursing to:
- Foster innovative models of nursing education to address the changing needs in healthcare.
- Assure that innovative approaches are conducted in a manner consistent within the board's role of protecting the public; and
- Assure that innovative approaches conform to the quality outcome standards and core education criteria established by the board.
“The ND Board of Nursing should be commended for embracing innovative nursing education programs like Apprenticeships to assist healthcare facilities in meeting the challenge of maintaining a workforce,” stated Dr. Doug Darling, President of Lake Region State College.
The nursing program at LRSC is a partner in the Dakota Nursing Program along with Bismarck State College, Dakota College at Bottineau, and Williston State College.
In the LRSC apprenticeship model, the student can “earn while they learn”, said Julie Traynor, Director of the Dakota Nursing Program.
“Many community college students need to work while they attend school,” said Karen Clementich, LRSC Nursing program director.
Traynor added, “The apprenticeship has ground rules agreed upon with the employer that provides a structured wage, set step increases, and opportunity for continued employment at the completion of the apprenticeship.”
The combination of academic program requirements plus the apprenticeship (on-the-job learning, a mentor relationship with a staff nurse, and eventually a Department of Labor certificate of completion) provides a rigorous and sturdy base that socializes students to the nursing profession and prepares them for an in demand and challenging career.
“The program is attractive to employers as it increases staff retention, decreases recruitment costs, improves quality of patient care, and increases diversity in the workplace,” Traynor said.
If the innovative approach has achieved the outcomes, the project may be approved to be an ongoing part of the education program. Once a permanent status is achieved, LRSC will share the project to other nursing programs statewide in an effort to increase the nurses in our state.
“Apprenticeships have a proven record of a positive return on investment to both student and industry partner and is an excellent recruitment tool for employers,” said Melana Howe, project manager for LRSC apprenticeships.
There has been only one other innovative project approved by the Board of Nursing since the inception of this administrative rule opportunity in 2011. Incidentally, this was also a LRSC nursing program innovation in education project. The LRSC Paramedic to Nurse Bridge project was approved as an innovative project in 2015 and fully approved as a permanent program in 2018.
“The nursing department faculty at LRSC are leading the state in innovation in education,” Traynor said.
If you are a student or employer looking for more information for the program, contact Melana Howe, at Melana.Howe@LRSC.edu.