Kent State, University Hospitals Addressing Nurse Shortage

KENT, OH — University Hospitals is partnering with Kent State University to roll out a new initiative to increase the number of nurses in Northeast Ohio. Both institutions said there is an ongoing nursing shortage in the region.

“The University Hospitals Scholars program will provide critical financial support for students, diverse clinical sites in the University Hospital system, and expand the opportunity for more students to experience the excellent education offered at Kent State University College of Nursing,” said Barbara Broome, dean of Kent's College of Nursing. “It will provide diverse clinical sites, employment opportunities and additional financial support for committed students.”

The new program will institute an annual additional cohort of students into Kent's Bachelor of Science in Nursing program (BSN). University Hospitals will help these students by providing $12,000 in financial support to 20 students for their senior year at Kent State, contingent on their working with University Hospitals for two years post-graduation.

Experienced University Hospital nurses will serve as clinical instructors for Kent State's program, the two institutions said. There will also be an increase in available clinical placements through additional rotations at UH facilities. At full capacity, the new Kent-UH program will produce approximately 80 additional, new graduates a year.

“University Hospitals is excited to enhance our existing relationship with Kent State University and expand the opportunity to bring more individuals into the nursing field,” said UH Chief Human Resource Officer Thomas Snowberger.

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The Center for Health Affairs estimates that by 2020, just one year from now, Northeast Ohio will need to add 2,850 nurses to care for the rapidly aging population. Nationally, there will be an even larger crunch — with nearly 1 million additional nurses need to care for a growing patient population.

Many of these nurses will need extra education and experience, primarily gleaned from a four-year degree, Kent State said. Currently, about 40 percent of Northeast Ohio nurses have a four-year degree, according to the Institute of Medicine.

Photo from Kent State University