Thirty-five employees of American Senior Communities were honored Thursday with a graduation ceremony and luncheon at Bridgewater Country Club in Carmel.
These employees, including Jennifer Rogers and Jay Myers of Seymour Crossing, have completed nursing programs made available to them through a unique educational opportunity presented by the Health and Hospital Corp. and ASC through their long-term care partnership.
ASC and HHC together are the largest senior care provider in Indiana, according to a news release from ASC. Both organizations have a reputation of promoting professional growth of their employees and in the long-term care nursing profession, resulting in the creation of a pathway for employees to become nurses.
Within this unique nursing scholarship program, Opportunities to Nursing Excellence, aka O2NE, ASC employees can increase their level of professional education. Certified nursing assistants can earn diplomas to become licensed practical nurses, and LPNs can earn diplomas to become registered nurses. More than half of the program’s current participants are on track to become RNs.
The program aids front-line caregiver staff to achieve new levels of credentialing and ability, ultimately improving the entire senior health care system.
Several O2NE graduates currently are working in clinical management positions, evidence for the pathway created by this scholarship program to advance career potential for these students.
To date, the scholarship program has fueled opportunities for a total of 216 graduates, including 18 directors of nursing, regional clinical directors and many additional versatile roles within the health care community.
ASC and HHC have made it possible for staff members to continue their formal training and credentialing while maintaining their current jobs. Selected participants can attend nursing school with tuition and books fully paid for by the community where they work. Participants also are given a reduced work schedule, allowing them additional time for classes and study without being penalized financially.