Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services is investing in a new academy that will help expand nursing staff to provide the best care for its patients. The Pine Rest Academy aims to address the national nursing shortage by creating a pipeline of talent through financial support of up to $10,000 per semester, $40,000 total, for each student who qualifies.
To qualify for the academy, a student must be accepted into a nursing program and commit to working at Pine Rest during nursing school and for two years after they are licensed through the State of Michigan. Currently, this financial support is available for students who are enrolled in nursing programs at Grand Valley State University, Calvin University, Cornerstone University or Montcalm Community College, with potential for expansion to other colleges and universities.
“We are thrilled to build academy partnerships with so many Michigan schools, offering students both academic excellence and in-person experience in the behavioral health field,” said Bob Nykamp, vice president and chief operating officer of Pine Rest. “The impact that this program will have on our current and future patients, as well as our community, will be instrumental in meeting the growing need for mental health care in Michigan.”
Pine Rest currently employs 240 registered nurses who specialize in psychiatric nursing and 20 psychiatric nurse practitioners who help assess, address, and monitor patients’ mental health and behavioral conditions. The psychiatric nurses promote well-being through prevention and education, in addition to the assessment, diagnosis, care, and treatment of mental health and substance use disorders.
According to Nykamp, “Pine Rest RNs show compassion to recipients of services, to their coworkers, and to the surrounding communities through integrity, stewardship, empowerment, the promotion of diversity, and professional excellence.”
Pine Rest’s partnerships with Grand Valley State University, Calvin University, Cornerstone University and Montcalm Community College will allow it to support and hire multiple students each year, addressing the national nursing shortage and creating a pipeline for emerging talent in the psychiatric nursing field.
“We believe that the best way to develop a knowledgeable and compassionate staff is to offer support and mentorship,” said Gretchen Johnson, chief nurse executive at Pine Rest. “The Pine Rest Academy will not only remove financial barriers for college students seeking a nursing degree, it will also provide hands-on behavioral health training and create a smoother path to employment. This model will ultimately make a big impact on patient care.”
Current Pine Rest employees who are seeking a nursing degree at one of the four participating schools will automatically receive tuition assistance, and all students interested in entering the Pine Rest Academy can join at any time after being accepted into a nursing program. Students who complete their nursing programs will maintain active employment at Pine Rest and commit to two years of employment in a full-time capacity (at least 30 hours) at Pine Rest after graduation.
