ST. JOSEPH — At their recent meeting, the Lakeland Health Board of Directors voted to establish a five-year scholarship program on behalf of nursing staff. The program would award up to 50 nurses per year with a $7,500 scholarship to cover the cost of tuition over a two-year period as they pursue a bachelor’s of science in nursing degree — a total investment of over $1.8 million.

“According to studies by the Institute of Medicine, health systems that employ a higher percentage of BSN-prepared nurses offer increased safety for patients, fewer hospital acquired conditions, and enhanced job satisfaction rates,” said Eileen Willits, vice president of patient care services and chief nursing executive. “Lakeland is committed to having 80 percent of our nurses BSN-prepared by 2020 and this investment is an important step in meeting this goal.”

The program will begin by offering 15 nurses the opportunity to join an on-line degree completion cohort at Andrews University in 2017. Other programs, which are accredited and qualify for a full-tuition scholarship, include Ohio University and American Sentinel University.

If a nurse chooses another university option, he or she will still be eligible for the $7,500 scholarship to offset the overall cost of tuition. Nurses who are currently enrolled in a BSN program will also be eligible.

Beginning in 2017, nurses employed at Lakeland Health will have five years after they are hired to become BSN-prepared. Once nurses have completed their degree they will become eligible to earn higher wages than those without this credential.

Lakeland Health is a nonprofit, community-owned health system, which includes three hospitals, an outpatient surgery center, a cancer center, rehabilitation centers, long-term care, hospice, home care services, and physician practices. Lakeland has over 3,800 employees who provide clinical and support services at locations throughout southwest Michigan, and partners with more than 500 affiliated physicians and other providers. For more information, visit www.lakelandhealth.org.