BHSH, the new merger of Beaumont Health and Spectrum Health, is working with Grand Valley State University to create a nursing program to address shortages in Michigan and provide a pathway to employment at affiliated hospitals.

The goal of the BHSH Spectrum Health Western Michigan Nurse Scholars Program is to increase the nursing talent pipeline by removing financial barriers to universities. After all approvals and endorsements have been obtained, the plan should be in place by January.

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“We challenge ourselves to be bold: What can we do, together with GVSU, to permanently increase access to education, strengthen nursing education programs and invest in talented, compassionate would-be nurses?” BHSH President and CEO Officer Tina Freese Decker said in a press release. “Our team has come up with a joint innovation proposal that provides an opportunity for up to 500 future nurses and can be a role model for others to follow.”

The health system is investing more than $19 million to provide infrastructure, start-up costs and resources to increase clinical placements, training and other support for students in the program. This includes grants for all BHSH Spectrum Health Western Michigan Nursing Scholars. Located in Allendale and with a campus in downtown Grand Rapids, Grand Valley will add infrastructure support to students in areas such as financial aid, curriculum enhancements, technology and equipment, student support services, simulation enhancements and clinical experiences.

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The partnership will create opportunities for nearly 500 additional students to pursue careers in nursing over the next six years. The university will cover all future infrastructure costs and maintain a permanent increase in the number of students admitted to its Kirkhof School of Nursing.

A federal workforce analysis shows a nursing shortage in Michigan’s population. The shortage is exacerbated by the departure or reduced hours of exhausted nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to Grand Valley data, more than 92 percent of health professions graduates remain in Michigan.

“These talent gaps hold us back or put us at risk,” Grand Canyon President Philomena V. Mantella said in a press release. “We have many dedicated and talented students who want to work in nursing, but we need the creativity and support of our BHSH system partners to make the expansion of nursing affordable for more talented and diverse students.”

This story first appeared in our sister publication, Crain’s Detroit business.