Hillsdale Hospital Helping Health Professionals Thrive

Rural communities face unique challenges in recruiting talent, so growing a talent pipeline has become a key strategy for Hillsdale Hospital. The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) to Registered Nurse (RN) program allows LPNs to be hired to work in the emergency room while completing their RN education through a one-year program paid for by the hospital.

In the past year, the hospital has started hiring non-certified candidates for both certified nursing assistant and medical assistant positions, paying for their education and certification once onboarded. Tuition reimbursement for non-employees is also part of the hospital’s overall strategy to build the talent pipeline in addition to supporting both high school grads and those going back to school through two distinct scholarship programs. The Future of Nursing program covers up to $10,000 per year for up to five years for graduating high school seniors starting their nursing degrees, with a guaranteed job upon completing their RN. The Maggie Fry Memorial Scholarship, named after a young mother and Hillsdale Hospital nurse who sadly passed away in 2022, offers up to $5,000 per academic year to non-traditional students to pursue their nursing education. 

“I’m pursuing a nursing degree with three children at home and it has been the hardest thing I could have ever imagined doing,” said Samantha Reed, 2023 Maggie Fry Memorial Scholarship awardee. “I have done several clinical rotations at this point and am so happy with the career path that I chose.”