DHR announces Nurse Apprenticeship with RGV College

McALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — DHR Health announced a new Nurse Apprenticeship Program with Rio Grande Valley College in hopes of increasing the number of local nurses due to a nursing shortage.

A dozen nursing students are the first to take part in the “on-the-job” program.

Apprentice Anita Saenz is one student looking forward to entering the nursing field sooner.

“You’re able to apply what you’re learning, so of course it makes the learning process a lot easier because you’re actually doing it hands-on. It’s patient care, not a dummy.“

The goal is a more affordable alternative for students getting into nursing.

“Getting paid while you learn, right? And they’re now part of the DHR family," said RGV College President Annabelle Palomo. "So the intent is for them to continue to be DHR employees, but most importantly, to stay in our community. You’ve heard there’s a large nursing shortage in our area, and we need it here in our community.”

Palomo says the school is only the second in the country to start a nursing apprenticeship.

"A lot of people will be looking at “does it work?”, right? So at RGV college, partnered with DHR, it is our intent to prove to everyone that it can be done in the nursing field.”

Saenz also has faith in the program and looks forward to becoming a nurse in the Valley.

"It’s just furthering my education. I am able to do more, and the scope of my practice would be a lot more than what it is now so, I feel like I could be a better nurse.”

RGV college added that they not only hope to set a new standard for nursing education but also help increase the number of nurses in the Valley and the U.S.