The partnership between the Orvis School of Nursing (OSN) and Renown Health has garnered national recognition for its exemplary collaboration in addressing nursing education and practice. Both institutions have made significant strides in nurturing a sustainable nursing workforce while enhancing healthcare delivery in Nevada. Recognized with the 2025 AACN Exemplary Academic-Practice Partnership Award, this alliance represents a model for how educational institutions and healthcare systems can work together for mutual benefit.
### Overview of the Partnership
The Gerald “Jerry” Smith Academic-Practice Partnership was established in May 2023, designed to support aspiring nurses in their academic journeys while directly addressing Nevada’s nursing shortage. Unique in its approach, the partnership offers full-ride scholarships to up to 24 nursing students annually and ensures job placement with Renown Health post-graduation. This initiative is driven by a commitment to diversity, aiming to uplift underrepresented groups in the nursing profession.
### Key Achievements
The tangible outcomes of this partnership are impressive. According to OSN’s associate dean for strategic partnerships and practice, Dr. Molly Kokenge, the partnership boasts a 100% pass rate for nursing licensure exams among its first three cohorts. Moreover, 62% of the participants hail from diverse backgrounds, reflecting OSN and Renown Health’s focus on inclusivity. These statistics underscore the success of the program in not only training competent nurses but also building a workforce that mirrors the community it serves.
### Addressing the Nursing Shortage
Currently, Nevada ranks 47th in the United States in terms of registered nurses (RNs) per capita. The partnership seeks to alleviate this critical shortage, with projections indicating a need for over 4,000 additional RNs. Through educational programming and mentorship, OSN and Renown Health aim to improve nursing residency completion rates and overall workforce readiness. The partnership’s efforts are not just about filling positions; they seek to provide well-rounded, culturally competent care to the state’s diverse population.
### Community Philanthropy and Support
This initiative is powered by generous donations and community involvement, which have been pivotal in establishing the Gerald “Jerry” Smith Academic-Practice Partnership. With a total of $2,505,780 in tuition support to date, the financial backing allows students to focus on their education without the burden of debt. The partnership stands as a testament to community engagement, encouraging local stakeholders to invest in the future of healthcare in Nevada.
### Collaborative Educational Framework
The collaboration offers a dual benefit: students gain quality education and practical experience while faculty engage in practice-based research to enhance care strategies. The involvement of Renown nurses in developing coursework and mentoring students ensures the curriculum remains relevant to evolving industry standards. The initiative emphasizes a bidirectional relationship: as nurses enrich the academic environment, faculty members contribute to improved healthcare practices.
### Future Goals
The partnership continues to set ambitious goals. With a target of increasing annual OSN pre-licensure admissions from 192 in 2024 to 256 by 2027, this strategic growth aims for a 39% increase over four years. In doing so, OSN and Renown Health are poised to create a more robust nursing workforce capable of meeting the healthcare demands of Nevada and the broader southern region.
### National Recognition
The 2025 AACN Exemplary Academic-Practice Partnership Award stands as a milestone in recognizing the importance of collaboration between educational and healthcare institutions. It emphasizes not only the success of the partnership but also serves as an encouragement for others to strengthen their academic and practice ties. The award will be formally presented at the AACN Academic Nursing Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C., marking a celebration of achievements in nursing education and practice.
### Conclusion
The partnership between the Orvis School of Nursing and Renown Health exemplifies how collaborative efforts can transform educational outcomes and healthcare delivery. By focusing on a sustainable, diverse nursing workforce, the Gerald “Jerry” Smith Academic-Practice Partnership is a leading example in combating the nursing shortage while ensuring that future caregivers are well-prepared to meet the evolving needs of the community. This innovative model not only reflects a commitment to academic excellence but also to the essential principles of empathy and care that are foundational to the nursing profession.
Moving forward, the ongoing commitment to nurturing this partnership will be crucial for addressing the pressing healthcare demands of Nevada. By fostering educational pathways and enhancing clinical practice, the Orvis School of Nursing and Renown Health are paving the way for a brighter future in nursing, ultimately benefiting the health of the community as a whole.
Source link
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/GettyImages-2243392135-0028d9319ee44618a83d8726913826ad.jpg?w=150&resize=150,150&ssl=1 "Amazon Stock Pops as Earnings Top Estimates, Driven by AWS Growth")
