WSM partners with HIF and UMSON at USG to meet demand for nurses

WorkSource Montgomery (WSM) is proud to venture with the Healthcare Initiative Foundation (HIF) and the Universities at Shady Grove (USG), to accelerate the pipeline of Montgomery County residents earning their Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (BSN). As an extension of the Rx for Employability grant, WSM received a two-year $200,000 EARN (Employment Advancement Right Now) grant from the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation to address the critical nursing shortage in the County.

“We want to focus on training Montgomery County residents for careers that build a culturally competent workforce, are in high demand and provide sustainable wages,” said Ellie Giles, CEO of WorkSource Montgomery. “Over the next 10 years there is a projected need for more than 250 registered nurses in the County.” Recognizing the Healthcare Initiative Foundation’s successful RN-to-BSN workforce pipeline scholarship program with the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON), WorkSource Montgomery will provide HIF with EARN funds to supplement tuition supports to more than 60 Bachelor of Science in Nursing students over the next two years.

“The University of Maryland, Baltimore School of Nursing is one of the top nursing schools in the country, and USG is very proud to support the strong presence they have established in Montgomery County,” said Stewart Edelstein, Executive Director of the Universities at Shady Grove. “We look forward to partnering with the Healthcare Initiative Foundation, WorkSource Montgomery and the School of Nursing to further expand the opportunities for students to obtain their nursing degree now and in the future.”

Along with providing scholarships, WSM and the HIF will work collaboratively with the health industry, education and community partners to leverage current resources and realign existing programs to expand clinical rotation opportunities. “HIF is excited about the opportunity to further expand our BSN pipeline with USG in collaboration with WorkSource Montgomery though the Maryland EARN grant,” said Crystal Townsend, President of the Healthcare Initiative Foundation.