The United States is experiencing a significant shortage of registered nurses, with projections indicating more than 200,000 job openings annually over the next decade. This shortage is especially pronounced in Southern communities.
To address this issue, Tuskegee University’s Department of Nursing has launched an apprenticeship program that allows nursing students to gain hands-on experience at Baptist Health Systems hospitals. The initiative is a collaboration between the Alabama Office of Apprenticeship, the Alabama Office of Minority Affairs, and Tuskegee University’s Department of Nursing. It has received certification from the U.S. Department of Labor.
Dr. Mark A. Brown, President and CEO of Tuskegee University, said: “Our Renaissance Era continues to build workforce‑aligned pathways that use the powerful resources right in our hands to prepare leaders—faster and better. Alabama and communities across America will benefit as we train the next generation of world-class, compassionate healthcare professionals.”
Through this apprenticeship program, students can earn academic credit for clinical education while receiving one-on-one training from experienced registered nurses. They will work in real hospital environments from their first day and be paid as employees of Baptist Health Systems.
At a ceremony marking the start of the partnership, Assistant Provost Dr. Chastity Bradford addressed the new apprentices: “You will set the standard for all who follow. The future of nursing is in your hands, and we cannot wait to see you shine.”
The event was attended by Dr. Cornelia Nnedu, Dean of the School of Nursing and Allied Health; Tiffany Bass, Chief Nursing Officer at Baptist Health Systems; Kendarius Floyd from the Alabama Office of Minority Affairs; and Henry Davis III from Tuskegee University’s Board of Trustees.
Tuskegee University’s Department of Nursing holds a notable history as it established Alabama’s first baccalaureate nursing program and remains one of the oldest continuously operating HBCU nursing programs nationwide.
With this new apprenticeship program, Tuskegee University aims to further its tradition in leadership and service by preparing students for immediate entry into healthcare roles amid ongoing national shortages.
