A new gift to Oakland University’s School of Nursing from Beaumont Health Spectrum Health
System (BHSH System) will begin a partnership aimed at increasing the number of nurses
graduating from OU.
The nationwide nursing shortage has challenged health care systems to maintain enough nurses on staff to deliver optimal care to their patients. To help meet the critical need for nurses in Michigan, BHSH System will provide Oakland University with financial resources totaling more than $20 million over the next five years to create the BHSH Beaumont Health Nurse Scholar Program.
This gift provides student grants to lower the cost of tuition as well as infrastructure investments. OU School of Nursing (SON) grant recipients will be on a path to become BHSH System team members for at least two years after graduation.
“I have known since I was a sophomore in high school that I wanted to go to Oakland University to pursue a career in nursing," says Alexis Kigar, a junior in SON's Traditional Track BSN program, "not only because it is one of the top ranked schools for nursing but also because of the scholarship opportunities it provides. Going through COVID I had a hard time trying to keep a positive outlook on online education and when I found out I received two nursing scholarships I felt inspired again because not only did I get my confidence back but I also received an outlet of continuous support and was able to establish a network of people who believed in me.”
OU will use the infrastructure funding to expand lab and classroom space, purchase instructional equipment and hire faculty to teach additional course sections.
“We deeply appreciate BHSH System’s partnership and investment into the education of the next generation of health care providers,” said Oakland University President Dr. Ora Hirsch Pescovitz. “This magnanimous gift directly responds to the need for more highly skilled nurses and the workforce shortage that has become more critical since the beginning of the COVID-19 global pandemic. We are proud that BHSH System and OU have a shared commitment to improve the quality and delivery of patient care in Michigan.”
Beaumont Health President Dr. Benjamin Schwartz said recruitment and retention of the next generation of nurses is one of his top priorities. “Students have so many choices and options about where they can work after graduation. I’m convinced that after these OU students spend some time working with us, they will want to spend their career serving our patients. We have an incredible team,” he said.
“The nursing shortage in our state is a critical and complex challenge that must be solved with bold and collaborative solutions. We are proud of our long-standing partnership with OU and to have this amazing opportunity to invest in talented, compassionate people who want to become nurses. We are incredibly excited about the impact this program will have in health care and for our communities" - Tina Freese Decker, President and CEO, BHSH System
OU’s School of Nursing educates approximately 770 Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) pre-licensure students at any time via two tracks: a Basic-BSN track and an Accelerated Second-Degree track and graduates approximately 350 BSN students every year. With the new BHSH Beaumont Health Nurse Scholar program, OU and BHSH System are taking steps that will increase in the number of nursing graduates over the next five years.
President Pescovitz notes with gratitude, “The visionary investment by BHSH System strengthens the health of Michigan’s citizens and the health of our economy, both of which are a major focus of Oakland University’s mission.”
To learn more about partnering with Oakland University on workforce development initiatives contact Michael Westfall at mwestfall@gesuenderes-rauchen.net.
November 4, 2022
