The nation continues to deal with a shortage of nurses that began before the pandemic and still plagues the healthcare industry.
The number of African American nurses has also continued to slide downward, widening the gap in diversity on hospital and physician nursing staffs.
SSM Health and Chamberlain University, a part of Adtalem Global Education Inc., have partnered to launch the Aspiring Nurse Program—an initiative designed to fund nursing education, enhance clinical readiness, and create a pathway to employment across SSM Health’s care sites in Missouri, Oklahoma, Illinois and Wisconsin, according to the partners.
“The nursing shortage demands bold, scalable solutions,” Laura S. Kaiser, FACHE, president & CEO of SSM Health, said in a release.
“The Aspiring Nurse Program is a strategic long-term investment in our people and our mission. It’s designed to meet today’s workforce challenges while building a stronger, more resilient future for nursing.”
According to data from the US Chamber of Commerce, there are only nine registered nurses on average for every 1,000 people, – And only 6.7% of registered nurses are Black, even though Black people make up around 13% of the U.S. population.
A 2022 national workforce survey of almost 335,000 registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and licensed vocational nurses found that more than 25% of them were planning to leave the profession by 2027, through retirements as well as resignations, according to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that between 2022 and 2032 the country will see 193,100 openings for registered nurses each year.
The program’s goal is to “create a sustainable talent pipeline that is projected to produce more than 400 new nurses annually.”
Hailed as a “first-of-its-kind in the nation” program by the partners, the Aspiring Nurse program offers a direct, employment-focused pathway for aspiring nurses by combining tuition support with immersive clinical experience.
Students commit to joining SSM Health’s workforce and have the opportunity for job placement within SSM Health facilities after graduation.
This partnership is also an advancement in Adtalem’s strategy to become the clinical workforce partner of choice for providers nationwide, according to Steve Beard, chair, and CEO of Adtalem Global Education.
“This partnership with SSM Health demonstrates the transformative power of large-scale collaboration between education and healthcare,” said Beard.
“When forward-thinking health systems invest in comprehensive workforce partnerships—combining funding, hands-on facility training and a direct line to employment—we create sustainable pipelines that scale with provider needs.
“We’re building the foundation for long-term workforce stability while ensuring graduates are day-one ready. This is the future of strategic healthcare workforce development.”
The Aspiring Nurse Program launches in Oklahoma this fall through Chamberlain’s online Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, with additional cohorts to follow in St. Louis and Jefferson City, Missouri, as well as in Illinois and Wisconsin.
Students will train directly within SSM Health facilities—where they may eventually work—gaining firsthand experience with the health system’s work culture, care practices, and technology systems before starting their professional careers.
“This program is more than a solution to the nursing shortage—it’s a bold reimagining of how we grow and support the next generation of nurses,” said Amy Wilson, DNP, chief nurse executive for SSM Health.
“By investing in education and clinical experience from day one, we’re not only preparing students for success—we’re strengthening the future of patient care across our communities.”
Founded as Deaconess College of Nursing, Chamberlain’s legacy is rooted in a mission to serve communities through care and education. This alignment fosters a values-driven learning environment that not only prepares students clinically, but also instills a deep commitment to service, empathy, and holistic care—qualities essential to delivering exceptional patient outcomes within SSM Health.
“We are excited to partner with SSM Health to place future nurses where they’re needed most across multiple states,” said Karen Cox, PhD, RN, FACHE, FAAN, Chamberlain University president.
“Nurses are essential to community health, and expanding the workforce supports both patients and current caregivers. As the nation’s largest School of Nursing, we’re eager to create innovative and immediate opportunities for our graduates in communities where they’ll make a real impact.”
For more information on the Aspiring Nurse Program or to apply for the inaugural cohort starting September 2025, please visit chamberlain.edu/aspiring-nurse-program-oklahoma.
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