Elkins – Students pursuing their Associate in Science degree in nursing at Davis & Elkins College have a new opportunity for financial support and future employment, thanks to a partnership with Davis Health System (DHS). The two entities announced the agreement today in a ceremony at the hospital.
“With long historical ties dating back to the early 20th century when Senator Henry Gassaway Davis assisted in the founding of both of our institutions, Davis & Elkins College and Davis Health System are reaffirming our partnership to train exceptional nurses and provide quality health care,” said Davis & Elkins College President Chris A. Wood. “We are grateful to DHS for their scholarship support of our nursing students and, in turn, are pleased D&E students are making a multi-year commitment to work locally and alleviate the nursing shortage being experienced across our state and nation.”
The Davis Medical Center Healthcare Scholarship is available to all students, including Davis Health System employees, admitted into the Davis & Elkins College Associate in Science nursing program and who are in good academic standing with the College. It is required that students maintain a 2.75 GPA. Students receiving the scholarship agree to a work commitment with DHS. Amounts, up to a maximum of $15,000, vary depending on the number of years students are willing to commit to employment and financial need.
“Davis Health System and Davis & Elkins College have a long-standing relationship through health care and nursing education,” said Davis Health System President and CEO Vance Jackson, FACHE. “This new partnership reaffirms our commitment to bring quality health care and health care professionals to the region.
“It’s important that in the future we have a reliable source of well-trained and high-quality nursing talent here in the community, and we are grateful for Davis & Elkins College for working hard to see that this need is met,” Jackson continued.
The new scholarship opportunity, and an earlier partnership, mutually benefit the College and DHS in that both are better able to provide education for nursing students and prepare them to fill roles within the local health care system.
“This program will allow Davis Medical Center to expand its efforts to recruit and support nursing students, in the hopes that they will choose a career in our local community,” said DHS Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer Kathy Sturm RN.
Applications must be made in person at Davis Medical Center. To make an appointment, call Cindy Markley, DMC Human Resources, at 304-630-3068 or email markleyc@dhswv.com. Applicants will need a copy of their D&E nursing program acceptance letter and their financial aid statement.
In 2017, the College and the hospital partnered to construct The Center for Advanced Clinical Learning, a simulation lab and facility for inter-professional education located on the DMC campus. The facility provides an opportunity for D&E nursing students and the hospital’s nurses to learn and practice in a realistic and risk-free environment. The lab consists of individual units, such as an emergency room, pediatrics and examination room, each furnished with the same medical supplies and equipment used in DMC’s clinical settings.
Davis Health System encompasses Davis Medical Center in Elkins, Broaddus Hospital in Philippi, Buckhannon Medical Care, Cancer Care Center at DMC, Community Care Pharmacy, DirectCare of Elkins and Parsons, Health Center Pharmacy at DMC, HomePlus and Mansfield Place in Philippi.
In concert with D&E’s mission to “prepare and inspire students for success and for thoughtful engagement in the world,” the Division of Nursing seeks to provide students with a personalized quality education designed to prepare graduates to practice as registered nurses and to provide a foundation for lifelong learning and future professional development. Students may elect to pursue an Associate of Science in nursing or Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Programs also are available for transition from LPN to ASN and an online RN to BSN.
