Bothwell and SFCC partner to grow nursing workforce
Bothwell Regional Health Center and State Fair Community College (SFCC) are collaborating on a program to help address the region’s nursing shortage by providing a tuition-paid path for students pursuing a Practical Nursing (PN) degree or Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) at SFCC while working at Bothwell.
Through the partnership, Bothwell covers the cost of tuition, fees and books for students accepted into SFCC’s Nursing program at any campus location. In return, students work at Bothwell to gain clinical experience while in school and commit to a period of full-time employment at the hospital after graduation.
Bothwell Chief Nursing Officer Michele Laas said the program is an investment in the future of local health care.
“Health care is built on people, and nurses are at the center of everything we do,” Laas said. “By investing in their education and providing a path to employment, we are strengthening our hospital and ensuring our community continues to receive excellent care for years to come.”
SFCC’s PN program can be completed in 12 months and prepares graduates to take the NCLEX-PN licensure exam. The two-year ADN program prepares graduates for the NCLEX-RN exam. Both programs include classroom instruction, simulation lab practice and clinical rotations.
Allison Brosch, Dean of Health Sciences at SFCC, said the collaboration reflects the college’s mission to provide relevant learning experiences.
“By combining financial support with hands-on experience, we’re helping students succeed in their studies and transition smoothly into the nursing profession,” she said. “This partnership directly benefits our students, the hospital and the patients they will serve.”
SFCC President Dr. Brent Bates said the initiative is a natural extension of the college’s commitment to local workforce development.
“We are dedicated to preparing graduates who are ready to serve their communities,” Bates said. “This partnership with Bothwell removes barriers, opens doors and creates an opportunity for our nursing students to learn, work and make a difference in Sedalia caring for patients.”
Since the program’s inception, 14 students have taken advantage of the scholarship benefits. Interested individuals should apply to SFCC’s Nursing program and indicate their interest in the Bothwell partnership.
For more information about the program, visit sfccmo.edu/nursing or brhc.org/careers/nursing.
