Tuition-free nursing education program debuts from UR Medicine
The University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) and its School of Nursing have unveiled an innovative program designed to attract and support the next generation of nurses. The UR Nursing Scholars Program promises to provide a debt-free pathway to a nursing career, guaranteeing employment as a registered nurse (RN) at UR Medicine hospitals for those who complete the program.
A Debt-Free Pathway to a Nursing Career
The UR Nursing Scholars Program combines guaranteed employment as an RN with fully funded education. This is achieved by covering three semesters of tuition through a scholarship and a forgivable loan. In return, recipients are required to work full-time as RNs at eligible UR Medicine hospitals for three years after graduation.
The program offers a 12-month accelerated nursing program, which includes 49 credits and over 650 clinical hours. This intensive program is designed to prepare students for high-demand nursing roles and make them practice-ready upon graduation.
Eliminating Financial Barriers
Tuition costs are fully covered during the program, eliminating financial barriers for students. Upon graduation, students are guaranteed employment as RNs within UR Medicine hospitals, establishing a clear career path.
However, if scholars do not fulfill the conditions of the program, they will be required to repay loan funds as set forth in the UR Nursing Scholars Program loan agreement. The loan is forgiven entirely if employment ends due to death or qualifying long-term disability. If scholars take approved job-protected leaves (e.g., FMLA), repayment obligations pause, but the service time requirement continues after leave.
Attracting New Talent and Building Confidence
Lydia Rotondo, DNP, RN, CNS, FNAP, associate dean of education and student affairs at the School of Nursing, stated that the new opportunity offered by the UR Nursing Scholars Program will not only attract new nurses to the profession but provide them with foundational knowledge and the skills necessary for success in a clinical environment.
Current bachelor's student Laura-Ann Fierro, a recipient of the Dean's Diversity Scholarship, said the Accelerated Bachelor's in Nursing (ABSN) program's focus on innovation and care for its students drew her to UR Nursing. Fierro, a California native who majored in biology and psychology for her first bachelor's degree before changing careers, expressed her satisfaction with the School of Nursing, stating that it exceeded all of her expectations of what she wanted in a nursing program.
Expanding Educational Opportunities
The UR Nursing Scholars Program is not the only initiative by the School of Nursing to support students. It also offers the SON Tuition Grant, together with employee tuition benefits, which provides 100% tuition coverage for medical center employees who enroll in select bachelor's or master's nursing programs.
Additionally, the School of Nursing has announced a new educational pathway, the 24-Month Accelerated Bachelor's in Nursing program, featuring the same coursework and clinical experience as the 12-Month accelerated bachelor's program, but with an extended length to allow students to balance work and other commitments while enrolled.
The School of Nursing is also hosting an information session about the UR Nursing Scholars program on Jan. 30. Furthermore, a new scholarship program called the Prerequisite Scholarship Program has been introduced, which covers the total tuition costs of prerequisite courses completed at the School of Nursing for students in the 12-Month Accelerated Bachelor's in Nursing program.
The UR Nursing Scholars Program is expected to enroll its first cohort in Fall 2023, and it will provide tuition-free nursing education for 33 students per year.
This groundbreaking program is a testament to the University of Rochester Medical Center's commitment to providing high-quality, accessible nursing education and preparing the next generation of nurses for success in a demanding clinical environment.
- The UR Nursing Scholars Program offers online education and learning opportunities in the field of health-and-wellness, specifically focusing on medical-conditions and nursing.
- The School of Nursing at the University of Rochester Medical Center has expanded educational opportunities, providing scholarships like the Prerequisite Scholarship Program for students enrolled in the 12-Month Accelerated Bachelor's in Nursing program, promoting education-and-self-development.
- The UR Nursing Scholars Program is an online education initiative, featuring a debt-free pathway to a nursing career, making health-and-wellness education more accessible, especially for high-demand nursing roles.
