Northwest Shoals Community College (NWSCC) marked a milestone in its nursing program Wednesday afternoon (1/28) with its first Nursing Apprenticeship Signing Day on the Phil Campbell campus.
The college celebrated a new apprenticeship partnership with Decatur Morgan Hospital, which provides paid, on-the-job clinical training while students complete their nursing education.
Representatives from Decatur Morgan Hospital joined NWSCC administrators to commemorate the partnership. The inaugural apprenticeship signing featured second semester nursing student, Bralan Etheridge of Rogersville.
“We are grateful for the partnership with Decatur Morgan Hospital and the clinical placement opportunity for our apprenticeship program," said Brittney Humphres, assistant dean of health sciences at NWSCC. “This represents an important step forward in how we prepare our nursing students for the workforce. By combining classroom instruction with paid, hands-on clinical experience, students are gaining confidence, skills and real-world exposure.”
Through the program, students complete their clinical rotations at the hospital where they are employed, allowing them to apply what they learn in the classroom directly to patient care settings.
“The opportunity for students to train in the same environment where they may one day work is invaluable,” said Shea Thomas, director of nursing education at NWSCC. “We pride ourselves in preparing our students for the workforce, and this partnership strengthens the connection between education and practice and helps ensure our graduates are well prepared.”
The apprenticeship program also helps address workforce needs while offering students financial support as they complete their degrees. The College hopes to continue expanding partnerships with healthcare agencies to create additional opportunities for nursing students.