For Garrett County resident Robert Pattison, the Aspiring Nurse Program at Garrett Regional Medical Center (GRMC) is helping him achieve his dreams and further his career.
Pattison is employed both full-time as an ER technician at GRMC and a paramedic for Garrett County Emergency Services. For him, caring for others has always been his passion.
Prior to that, Pattison worked for commercial ambulance services, seeing many different hospitals. After gaining this experience, he knew he wanted to work in a small community hospital.
“Working in a small community hospital allows me the opportunity to work with a small knit of people who share the same goal of treating our patients like family,” Pattison said. “Serving the citizens in the area where I grew up is a privilege.”
On top of working full-time and being a husband and a father, Pattison is also enrolled as a full-time nursing student at Allegany College of Maryland (ACM).
“After receiving an email from ACM, I immediately applied for the Aspiring Nurse Program,” states Pattison. “I believed this program could not only help me financially, but also jump start my career at GRMC.”
Earlier this year, both GRMC and ACM collaborated as partners to join WVU Medicine’s Aspiring Nurse Program, which provides financial and human-centered support to nursing students enrolled at select schools in West Virginia and neighboring regions. Nursing students accepted into the program will receive up to $25,000 over the course of their study, including a sign-on bonus upon hire in exchange for a three-year work commitment following graduation.
To be eligible for the program, prospective students must be admitted and actively enrolled at a school with a formal Aspiring Nurse Program partnership with WVU Medicine, such as ACM. Candidates must apply and take part in an interview with GRMC nursing leadership.
GRMC’s caring and supportive team environment has been vital to Pattison’s journey so far.
“I am surrounded by people that care about my success and check in on me often,” added Pattison. “The program really gave me the confidence boost most students need around the third semester by giving me the sense that an employer is truly interested in me.”
The program is specifically designed to support students for up to 2 years of pre-licensure RN programs. RN-to-BSN programs, LPN programs, and graduate programs are not eligible to participate. Current WVU Medicine employees are also eligible to apply for the program.
“Garrett Regional Medical Center is very excited to be participating with Allegany College of Maryland in the Aspiring Nurse Program,” said Kendra Thayer, Chief Nursing Officer at GRMC. “We want to support our nursing staff as much as possible; they play a critically important role in today’s healthcare environment. Helping mentor nurses through the process of getting the training needed and beginning the process of providing care is a plus for everyone – the hospital, the new nursing staff members, and most importantly the patient.”
Pattison encourages others to apply and obtain more information about the program.
“Students that have a desire to serve their community can have a rewarding career right here in their own hometown,” he said. “Why not take the chance and have your future employer invest in you!”
For more information on the program or the application process, including how to apply, contact Jackie Bittinger, Regional Recruiter, at jacquelyn.bittinger@wvumedicine.org or call 304-598-4000.
