Program to help advance nursing careers

Niagara University and the Catholic Health System are teaming up to help workers in the health care field advance their careers.

Ron Ensminger of the Town of Tonawanda is grateful to the nurses at Sisters Hospital. They've been caring for him since Tuesday.

Ensminger said, "I'd be in trouble without 'em, especially seeing I had both knees replaced."

A nationwide nursing shortage has many hospitals scrambling to fill jobs, while working on ways to train and retain nurses in a community.

Thursday, the president of Catholic Health and Niagara University signed a unique agreement that will offer registered nurses in the Catholic Health System a chance to earn a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing.

Catholic Health Human Resources Vice President Michael Moley said, "In western New York, only 21 percent of nurses have a baccalaureate or higher. It's proven that baccalaureate nurses end up providing a higher level of quality care and outcomes to patients and their families."

Over the next several months, Catholic Health will be selecting the first group of candidates, 20 to 30 nurses who want to advance their careers. Catholic Health will cover tuition for each nurse in the program.

Tina Keicher is among the applicants.

Keicher said, "Well, it will open a lot more doors. I can go into health management positions, go to work on floors that require a Bachelors."

Catholic Health and Niagara University also announced another critical partnership. This fall, MBA students in Niagara's newly established Health Care Administration Concentration will be mentored by top executives within Catholic Health.

MBA Program Director Doctor Peggy Choong said, "It will provide our students with a vigorous in depth understanding of managerial science, practical strategic applications in health care industry."

The programs come as health care takes center stage, preparing the nurses and other leaders for a new era of health care delivery.

The demand for highly qualified nurses is expected to be staggering in the region, and across the country over the next decade. The vacancy rate being predicted is as high as 63 percent, and could be even worse.

Click here for more information about Niagara's Nursing Program.