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By Savannah Logan Pearce

On Wednesday, May 4th, Bibb Medical Center and Shelton State Community College announced their partnership to begin offering a practical nursing (PN) program, beginning this upcoming fall semester. This partnership aims to benefit the West Alabama healthcare workforce, hopefully strengthening the number of healthcare workers in light of the demand of the pandemic. In a press release hosted at the new BMC Wellness Center, representatives from both Shelton State and Bibb Medical Center discussed some specifics of the program as well as some of their hopes for its success. Those in attendance at the press release were Joseph Marchant, President and CEO, and Camille Gibson, COO, both of Bibb Medical Center. Representing Shelton State Community College were Chris Cox, Interim President, and Dr. Andrea Bowden-Evans, Nursing Program Director.

 

What this partnership hopes to establish is a sort of pipeline that encourages students who complete this program to find their own fulfilling career within rural healthcare. “Hospitals, our nursing facilities, our clinics have really been pushed to an extreme and there is a dire need to get this right, to make sure that these pipelines are established and sustained,” Marchant said.

 

“The need for nurses has never been higher,” stated BMC President and CEO Joseph Marchant. One of the main goals of this partnership is to provide student nurses with the opportunity for future jobs and career growth within a rural healthcare setting. Chief Operating Officer of BMC Camille Gibson, who is herself a graduate of the Shelton State Nursing Program, supported Marchant’s claim. “I have done a little bit of everything and that is the great thing about Bibb Medical Center and rural health,” Gibson said. “There are so many opportunities. We have endless opportunities here if you want to grow and learn, I say what better time than now.” Gibson firmly believes that working within rural healthcare is “as rewarding as it gets,” and she is inviting student nurses to come see for themselves.

 

Those who are admitted into the program will be able to complete the courses necessary for a PN certification from right here in Bibb County. Bibb Medical Center has offered its own resources and facilities to educate and train students while they complete the program. The program will be three semesters long, and after completing the required courses, students will be able to take a certification exam.

 

Concerned about the cost? Don’t be! Students who are admitted into the program will have the opportunity for financial assistance that will help cover the cost of tuition, books, as well as other fees and expenses. Each graduating nursing student from this program will have a job offer from BMC if they are willing to commit to two years of working for BMC.

 

If you or someone you know would like to apply to the new BMC PN Program, the application period opens June 1, 2022 and ends July 1, 2022. Special information sessions for the program will be held at the new BMC Wellness Center on Tuesday, May 10 and Tuesday, May 24 from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., where employees from Shelton State Community College will be available to take questions regarding the new partnership as well as any questions regarding the certified nursing assistant and medication aide programs, which are already in place at BMC.

 

What a wonderful opportunity for our community! Two years in the making, the success of this new PN program is fully backed by both Bibb Medical Center and Shelton State. “At the end of the day, a community college should focus on providing resources for its community,” stated Dr. Chris Cox, SSCC’s Interim President. “This partnership will obviously provide educational and financial opportunities for students, but the bigger picture includes future sustainable employment, a more robust workforce, and an increased number of healthcare professionals in West Alabama.”

 

Marchant echoed his agreement and support of Cox’s statement. “We are excited to provide access to more people interested in entering healthcare. Shelton State has an excellent nursing program, and we’re committed to this partnership and its potential to train the next generation of nurses to serve our community.”

 

For those who are unable to attend the information sessions on May 10th and 24th, more details about the SSCC/BMC partnership for PNs are available by contacting nursing@sheltonstate.edu.