Nov. 7, 2024 - Missouri Western State University and Mosaic Life Care have signed a partnership agreement to provide financial, academic and career support to nursing students. The Nursing Scholars of Promise (NSP) program will cover three-quarters of the costs of earning a degree in nursing at Missouri Western in exchange for a four-year commitment to work at Mosaic following their graduation.

"The Mosaic-Missouri Western Nursing Scholars of Promise builds on the strong relationship between our institutions," said Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy, Missouri Western's president. "For aspiring nurses who may lack the funds to pay for their degree this innovative program provides crucial financial support to students up front. Moreover, this earn-while-you-learn program provides guaranteed part-time employment at Mosaic during their schooling, helping them acclimate to the hospital environment and earn additional income."

"In addition to providing an affordable path to their degree, work experience, and an opportunity to earn additional income, Missouri Western students in this program will also benefit from the support of a special advisor, dedicated to their educational success and career preparation," said Mike Poore, Mosaic Life Care CEO. "With the help of Missouri Western, we are proud to embark on this new 'grow-our-own' program to address the critical shortage of talented nurses."

This latest collaboration between the University and Mosaic Life Care builds on the existing partnership between the institutions aimed at meeting the region's healthcare workforce demands. In 2022, Mosaic and the Mosaic Life Care Foundation jointly contributed $500,000 toward the creation of a nearly $1 million state-of-art interprofessional lab at Missouri Western, which was named in their honor. The lab enables students across healthcare disciplines to develop their hands-on technical skills in simulated environments and supports students in the University's respiratory therapy program.

"Emphasizing exceptional affordability, supportive student academic and career advising, hands-on work experience, and a simple, clearly-defined educational and career pathway," said Kennedy, "the Nursing Scholars of Promise program illustrates that Missouri Western is a career-focused university, for everyone."

Missouri Western State University is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Missouri, and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural, and social development of the region it serves. Visit missouriwestern.edu