For a while now, health care industry alarms have been calling attention to the skyrocketing demand for nurses. New York State is facing a projected shortage of nearly 40,000 registered nurses by 2030, driven by pandemic burnout (still), an aging population, and a wave of retirements. The need is particularly acute in teaching hospitals, such as Strong Memorial Hospital, where nurses are essential to delivering patient care.

At the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC), the concern goes beyond addressing a shortage; it’s also about ensuring our nurses are well prepared and confident when they enter the workforce. Rochester’s answer is the UR Nursing Scholars Program.

The nursing scholars program provides a tuition-free pathway to a career in nursing for students pursuing an accelerated bachelor’s in nursing in exchange for a three-year work commitment at participating UR Medicine hospitals.

From their first day of classes, nursing scholars are immersed in hands-on training, working side by side with experienced clinicians, learning in simulation environments designed to mimic real-world patient care. This safe, yet rigorous preparation is crucial in developing the critical thinking, decision-making, and clinical skills necessary to succeed as a nurse. With more than 700 hours of clinical training and mentorship, Rochester’s nursing scholars are gaining experience that will allow them to make an immediate and much-needed impact on our community’s health care.

“This program leverages the strengths of our academic medical center and aligns with our mission to expand access to quality care,” says David Linehan, MD, the CEO of the URMC and dean of the School of Medicine & Dentistry. “By training and retaining nurses within our own facilities, we ensure that our hospitals can meet the growing needs of our community.”

Breaking barriers, building inclusive care

Boundless Possibility’s goal for health care of the highest order aims to expand and transform health care delivery while promoting an inclusive culture. Inclusivity is an important piece of the goal because research shows that care outcomes—and trust in care providers—improve when patients are treated by providers who understand their culture, speak their language, and can relate to their lived experiences. However, upstate New York—like many parts of the country—lacks sufficient diversity among active nurses. This is where the nursing scholars program is making a critical contribution to Rochester health care.

“The nursing scholars program enables us to significantly increase our contribution to the health care workforce and continue to provide life-changing opportunities for our students,” says Lisa Kitko, the dean of the School of Nursing. “By offering a tuition-free education, we are breaking down barriers and creating a pathway for more individuals to pursue nursing as a fulfilling career.”

Currently, 41 percent of scholars admitted to the program come from historically underrepresented groups, more than double the national average for registered nurses. In addition, nearly 20 percent of scholars are men, surpassing the national average of 12 percent. By breaking down the barriers that would ordinarily discourage or significantly hinder someone from pursuing a career in nursing, Rochester is recruiting students from diverse backgrounds, creating a stronger health care system.

The nursing scholars program is just one example of how the University is strengthening its position as a leader in health care education. It also ties into a larger vision to create equitable, high-quality care for all. Seeing the program’s early success, senior leaders at the hospitals and nursing school recently extended the program through 2027, a commitment that will support 300 future nurses.

Let’s meet one of the scholars.

Hello, Arline Villa Rubio

A first-generation college graduate, Arline Villa Rubio ’24N earned her first bachelor’s degree in public health at the State University of New York Brockport and worked as a program coordinator for a regional coalition that assists migrant and farmworker families.

“As I witnessed the difficulties and barriers patients face when accessing health care, my passion for helping others grew even stronger,” recalls Arline. “It was through these fulfilling experiences that I finally realized my desire to work in nursing. It was the perfect way to combine my desire to make an impact with my love for science and fascination with the medical field.”

Arline realized her aspirations when she crossed the stage at the pinning ceremony for the nursing scholars program, held in the summer of 2024.

“The scholars program has truly been instrumental in shaping my career path,” the recent graduate said. “Not only has it provided networking opportunities, career guidance, and information sessions, but it has also been a tremendous support system for me. The program’s financial support especially alleviated a significant burden, allowing me to focus more on my studies.”

Following a capstone project on dealing with emergency situations, Arline will join Strong Memorial Hospital as a registered nurse on G1600, the Emergency Medicine Transition Unit.