Ohio University Chillicothe-Berger Health System
Nursing Partnership

Building the workforce for the 21st Century

At Berger Health System, we pride ourselves on having a family-like atmosphere that is relaxed, positive, and supportive. While our main focus is to provide our patients with top-quality care and cutting-edge technology, we make sure our employees feel appreciated and take pride in the work they do.

With pride comes the ability to capture enthusiasm to expand our business needs. We met nursing shortages by capitalizing on employee and local workforce potential. A community strategy, creative partnerships, and an innovative training model resulted in tremendous success. We have "grown our own."

Recognition of Excellence

This distinction from the Department of Labor as the 2006 winner of the ETA Recognition of Excellence Award in the category of "Educating America's 21st Century Workforce" is an honor that validates what we know to be true. Innovation in training, be it public entities, corporations, or health care systems, requires visionary partners, belief in the human spirit to succeed, and the courage to try a model that has not been tried before.

Berger Health System and Ohio University believe this model can work for others to meet workforce, technology, and training needs of the future.

For a personal contact on the training model and to explore a program that may meet your workforce needs, we are providing the following email site for your inquiries:

nursing.partnership@bergerhealth.com

Training opportunities... It's just the beginning!

Business outcomes from our innovative, five-month start-up model:

• Met and exceeded our goals in three years
• Formed dynamic community partnerships
• Replaced shortages with workforce talent
• Provided a pipeline for the future with cost savings
• Increased employee pride
• Initiated positive life changes for participants
• Expanded community resources

Dynamic Education Partners:

Ohio University embraced innovation to support our business needs in unique and non-traditional ways. The university committed to a fast-track implementation strategy to meet Berger Health System's start-up target of five months. Circleville City School District became a partner, surveys were conducted, and research tools were put into place. The partnership between Berger Health System and Ohio University-Chillicothe created access, increased training capacity by 100%, and utilized non-traditional scheduling and on-site training in a community hospital. Standards for quality, enrollment requirements, and success were not compromised.

What we believed:

• Nurses trained within their own community hospital facility would choose to work there.
• Nurses would be engaged in bedside nursing.
• Non-traditional students who trained together over three years would result in a team that could enhance the corporate culture.
• Business could be expanded.
• Quality of life would be impacted.
• The organization would flourish with interest in education.
• Allowing three years for a two-year associate degree and new scheduling options were necessary to meet the needs of working students.

What happened:

• 84% accepted jobs with Berger Health System before they graduated.
• 100% work at the bedside, enthusiastically focused on patients and exceptional care.
• Students volunteered to mentor others. Students are role models for success.
• Business goals were met -- staffing shortages were eliminated.
• Workers' personal dreams came true -- from "getting by" to professional families with resources for a better future.
• The program was replicated. 32 new students began training in 2006.
• 80% of students were able to work throughout their training. Retention exceeded benchmarks.
• Cost savings have been reinvested into human capital and bedside care.

OUC-Berger Nursing Program Links

• Program Information
• Admission Information
• Nursing Curriculum
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Facts About Being a Registered Nurse
• Contact Information
• Application for Undergraduate Study