The Tennessee Hospital Association (THA) and four of its member hospitals have been awarded the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development’s Rural Healthcare Initiatives grant to implement new, THA-specific nursing and allied health-focused workforce programs. THA member hospitals awarded include:
- West Tennessee Healthcare Dyersburg Hospital
- Huntsville Hospital – Lincoln Health
- Macon Community Hospital
- Roane Medical Center
“It’s a significant achievement to see the workforce efforts of THA and our members recognized and gain additional support at the state level,” said Andrew Burnett, THA vice president of workforce and rural health. “The grant will allow THA to fund and expand its nurse residency program for member hospitals and enable rural hospitals to pilot student nurse apprenticeships.”
With nurse apprenticeship becoming a state-approved career pathway at the end of 2024, the groundwork has been laid for strengthening Tennessee’s nursing workforce through work-based learning models. THA’s nurse residency program helps new nurses transition to practice. With this grant funding, THA plans to create momentum for this workforce training model and expand the program to more hospitals across the state.
“I look forward to the impact this will have in rural communities and our healthcare workforce. Congratulations to all the hospitals and health systems awarded!”
More information and the full list of recipients is available here.
