THA Nurse Apprenticeship

As of June 2025, THA has registered programs created by a multidisciplinary task force with the State Office of Apprenticeship in Tennessee. The THA Registered Nurse (RN) and Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) apprenticeship programs have been approved.

The nursing profession faces mounting challenges, including workforce shortages, high turnover, and an increasing demand for care. Apprenticeships offer a promising solution by combining classroom learning with structured, hands-on clinical training in real-world settings.

ACADEMIC & EMPLOYER PARTNERSHIP

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EMPLOYMENT & EDUCATION SUPPORT

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INCREASES RECRUITMENT & RETENTION OUTCOMES

Background

In 2023, THA’s Department of Workforce Development hosted over a dozen collaborative meetings across the state between academic and healthcare system leaders. In these collaborative groups, THA engaged in feedback from employers with experience in surrounding states using earn-as-you-learn and apprenticeship models in nursing. The department was ultimately asked to work with key stakeholders to develop a framework and obtain permission from the Tennessee Board of Nursing for the apprenticeship model.

THA developed a statewide taskforce in 2024 to guide this work, consisting of hospital, academic, Tennessee Board of Nursing, and apprenticeship experts. In addition to this task force, THA engaged with a variety of governmental stakeholders and entities including the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Tennessee Department of Education, and the Tennessee State Office of Apprenticeship), public and private agencies, and consulted with experts in apprenticeship (H-CAP), nursing education, and the nursing profession. The objective of this task force was to create standards and best practices for earn-as-you-learn models, such as apprenticeships.

THA has developed this 2025 THA Nurse Apprenticeship Toolkit describing nurse apprenticeship program structure.

Download the Toolkit

Intermediary Services

As defined by Bridge, an intermediary in apprenticeship programs serves as a facilitator and coordinator between various stakeholders. Their core functions include program development and delivery, stakeholder engagement, monitoring, evaluation, and support, as well as strategy and field building.

THA has partnered with Hamilton-Ryker and its subsidiary, TalentGro, to offer apprenticeship intermediary service support to hospitals as they get started developing and implementing healthcare apprenticeship. Please reach out to THA to learn more about how TalentGro can help your hospital as an intermediary.

EMPLOYER

  • Mentors/Preceptors
  • On-the-job training & competency
  • Wage with progression
  • Related Technical Training (Orientation & Onboarding, upskilling)
  • Collaboration with training provider & support for apprentice training

ACADEMIC/TRAINING PROVIDER

  • Provides competencies to employer
  • Oversight of student progression
  • Training for mentors
  • Receives competencies from employer

STUDENT NURSE

  • Applies for position
  • Works a minimum of the required hours of program
  • Works under the direct supervision of registered nurse
  • Maintains satisfactory progression through their program

Have questions? Ready to take the first step in creating your program?

Contact Ferrol Thomas at fthomas@tha.com.

Additional Resources

Intermediary Services