West Virginia already has a College Promise program, which provides merit-based scholarships to recent high school graduates that help cover tuition and fees at in-state colleges and universities. Now, nursing students at West Virginia Northern Community College (WVNCC) can get even more financial support, thanks to a partnership between the college and Weirton Medical Center (WMC).  They have launched the Future Nurses Program meant to not only help nursing students financially, but also encourage them to stay close to home upon graduation.

Through the program, several students will have their associate degrees paid for in exchange for a three-year commitment to work within the WMC Tri-State Medical Network.

“Our nursing program at WVNCC provides exceptional training for our students and now WMC is going to provide them with an incredible opportunity to fulfill their dreams once they complete our program,” WVNCC President Vicki L. Riley said in a release.

The program benefits both those who dream of becoming a nurse and for WMC, which has been growing exponentially and is looking to hire more nurses.

“We need nurses. We need exceptional nurses who care about their community. What better way to find such professionals than through WVNCC?” asked Gabe D’Ortenzio, WMC’s director of human resources.

WMC will work with WVNCC to select several students for the program.  That means WMC will pay students’ nursing school tuition and fees at WVNCC of up to $9,100 the first year and up to $5,800 the second year. And Promise Scholarship recipients are eligible to apply.

“Students must not only have the passion to become a nurse, but they must have financial support too.  WMC will now remove a tremendous burden for these select students. This is an innovative program that will lead to success for not only the WVNCC student, but WMC and the nursing profession,” WVNCC Director of Nursing Linda Jo Shelek said.