Siskin Hospital has been awarded a $15,000 grant from the Tennessee Promise of Nursing Grant Program.
Siskin Hospital, with Chattanooga State Community College, will use the grant funds for the Nursing Intern Partnership Program at Siskin Hospital, slated to begin next May. The program will provide nursing students with a comprehensive orientation to a specialty hospital in order to create a seamless transition from school to practice. Following the 10-week intensive summer internship, participating students will be eligible for employment as nurse techs and continue to hone their nursing skills for qualified employment on graduation.
“This is a multi-win program, benefiting students, Siskin Hospital, Chattanooga State, the community, and the nursing industry as a whole,” said Tracy Reed, DNP, MBA, RN, Siskin Hospital vice president of patient care services and CNO. “As the demand for qualified nursing professionals grows, such collaboration between education and service will become increasingly important.”
The Tennessee Promise of Nursing Grant Program is designed to help new nursing graduates gain valuable clinical experience through nursing externships, internships or other innovative approaches. In 2016, the program has awarded $171,000 to 12 organizations statewide.
The funds for the Tennessee Promise of Nursing Grant Program were raised at the Promise of Nursing for Tennessee gala event in Nashville. The event raised a total of $285,000 which also funds student scholarships and faculty fellowships in addition to these training grants.
The Tennessee Hospital Association (THA) led the Tennessee campaign and served as the grant program facilitator.