Ivy Tech Community College Partners with Ascension for Nursing Apprenticeship

The program will begin with up to five apprentices per semester and will consist of current Ascension employees and Ivy Tech students.

(Indianapolis, Ind.) - Ivy Tech Community College and Ascension St. Vincent have partnered to implement a competency-based nursing apprenticeship program that will allow Ivy Tech nursing students to gain hands-on experience and master clinical skills in a variety of areas in the hospital while earning money and attending school. 

Like most hospitals, Ascension St. Vincent has seen an increased demand for registered nurses throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. As longtime partners, Ascension St. Vincent and Ivy Tech designed the new program in a phased approach, with the third phase allowing for students to explore the desired nursing specialty such as emergency department or critical care. 

“We believe one of the greatest opportunities in establishing this program, in addition to growing a dedicated and well-prepared workforce, is to integrate our learners into our care teams on a more intentional basis,” said Cindy Adams, Chief Nursing Officer at Ascension St. Vincent. “This can enable us to approach care delivery in a different, more efficient manner, with all members contributing at the full extent of their skills and licensure. Additionally, this new way of working will enhance opportunities for career growth and development of the entire workforce, and will hardwire our commitment to foster diversity and inclusion.”  

The prelicensure nursing program will be a Registered Apprenticeship with on-the-job learning supplemented by the required hours of related instruction. The result will be a pipeline of skilled, experienced Ivy Tech graduates who have been trained in Ascension processes and policies, understand the culture and work environment, and have developed relationships with other nursing staff and managers. While the apprenticeship will launch in Indianapolis, it will expand to Evansville and rotate to rural Ascension St. Vincent hospitals throughout the state.

“Ivy Tech is proud to partner with Ascension in this proven solution for businesses to recruit, train, and retain highly skilled workers,” said Ivy Tech President Sue Ellspermann. “By collaborating with Indiana employers, we ensure more Ivy Tech students get the training they need to enter the workforce quickly.” 

The program will begin with up to five apprentices per semester and will consist of current Ascension employees and Ivy Tech students. Internal staff in non-nursing roles who wish to enter nursing are also welcome to apply.