Gadsden, AL – As part of National Apprenticeship Week, Gadsden State Community College is spotlighting its groundbreaking Nursing Apprenticeship Program—the first of its kind in Alabama. Launched in 2022, the program provides registered and licensed practical nursing students with an innovative pathway to earn their degrees while gaining paid, hands-on clinical experience.
The initiative was developed through a partnership between the Alabama Office of Apprenticeship, the Alabama Board of Nursing, and the Alabama Community College System. It enables students to blend academic learning with real-world training under the supervision of licensed nurses.
“The Nursing Apprenticeship Program represents a major milestone in healthcare education in Alabama,” said Dr. Cynthia Mullinax, director of Gadsden State’s Nursing Program. “It allows students to gain real-world paid clinical experience while completing their coursework. It’s made possible by the partners that have come together to support it.”
Gadsden State led the state in utilizing amendments to the Nurse Practice Act, passed by the Alabama Legislature in 2022, which allow healthcare employers to form apprenticeship agreements with community colleges. Currently, 35 student apprentices work in healthcare facilities across northeast Alabama, and that number is expected to grow.
Student apprentices earn while they learn, working two to three days a week at local healthcare facilities. Their compensation increases as their skills and responsibilities grow. The program spans four semesters for registered nursing students and two semesters for licensed practical nursing (LPN) and LPN-to-RN students.
Hannah Tucker, case manager for Gadsden State’s Health Sciences Division, emphasized the mutual benefits of the program:
“Apprenticeships are a win-win for students and employers alike. For students, this program offers hands-on learning that is unparalleled. Employers benefit by training future nurses while addressing critical staffing needs.”
Student Halle Davenport shared her enthusiasm for the program:
“For those who are looking to work while in nursing school, it is an amazing opportunity. It has given me great patient experience to prepare me for the workforce when I graduate.”
The program requires apprentices to commit to a single healthcare facility for the duration of their training. Applicants must be active nursing students at Gadsden State, at least 18 years old, and have successfully completed their first semester of nursing coursework.
Dr. Mullinax highlighted the program’s impact during National Apprenticeship Week:
“It’s a testament to the importance of collaboration between education and healthcare sectors to address workforce challenges and create opportunities for students to thrive.”
Gadsden State’s Nursing Apprenticeship Program is not only preparing the next generation of nurses but also addressing critical healthcare workforce needs in Alabama.
For more details about the program, visit www.GadsdenState.edu/Nursing and click the red “Apprenticeship Program” button.
