At the recent Magnet and Pathways Conference, Dr. Karen Cox, president of Chamberlain University, and Greg Feirn, CEO of LCMC Health, discussed their organizations’ groundbreaking partnership to address the nursing shortage.
In 2021, LCMC Health and Chamberlain University launched the Called-to-Care Scholars Program, an initiative that aims to support nontraditional students in completing their nursing education while securing a long-term workforce for LCMC Health.
Students can earn their Bachelor of Science in Nursing at a Chamberlain location housed in one of LCMC Health’s hospitals. The program has produced about 50 graduates since its launch, with nearly 300 more currently enrolled.
“This partnership is truly the future of academic-healthcare alliances,” Dr. Cox says. “Together, we’re creating new paths for aspiring nurses, solving workforce challenges, and ultimately strengthening patient care in our communities.”
Catching up at the Magnet and Pathways Conferences, Dr. Cox and Feirn sat down for a fireside chat reflecting on the partnership, building a dedicated nurse pipeline, and more. Here’s an inside look at some of their conversation.
Addressing the Nursing Shortage Together
Feirn: “From LCMC Health’s perspective, this partnership fills a pressing need. Covering tuition and integrating students early into our network allows us to build a stable and committed workforce. These students aren’t just learning; they’re becoming familiar with our mission and values, and they’re already part of the LCMC Health family. It’s a long-term investment that supports the individual’s dream to become a nurse and secures our organization’s future.”
Focusing on Diversity and Nontraditional Nursing Students
Dr. Cox: “At Chamberlain and Adtalem, our mission is access—we believe in providing opportunities for individuals who have the talent and the drive but need extra support. It’s powerful to see LCMC Health value and commit to that same access mission. Our students in this program are a diverse group with an average age of 43. Many of them are balancing work, family, and other responsibilities while pursuing a nursing degree. Traditional nursing pathways might not have been possible for them due to cost or time constraints. This program changes that.”
Transitioning from Nursing Education to Employment
Meet Torrance Taylor ’24, a Called-to-Care alumna who graduated with a job at LCMC Health and a zero tuition balance.
Dr. Cox: “What’s special about this program is that students do all their clinical rotations within LCMC’s hospitals. By the time they’re ready to graduate, they’ve already been immersed in the environment, building relationships with the team and learning the specifics of our practice. Match Day, where they get to choose their preferred unit within LCMC, takes it a step further. When they finally start as full-time nurses, they’re not just new hires—they’re already part of the team. It’s a unique approach that really bridges education and practice.”
Feirn: “The impact on onboarding is phenomenal. When our new nurses start, they’re already familiar with the layout, the team, and even the electronic medical records. They know the cafeteria, the policies, the values of our organization—it’s a level of comfort that takes months to achieve under traditional hiring. We’ve created a structure that lets these students feel confident and ready to excel from day one. That’s a game-changer for both retention and morale.”
Building Long-Term Workforce Stability
Dr. Cox: “These students sign a three-year commitment to work with LCMC Health after they graduate, but it’s much more than a legal contract. They’re committed to staying because they feel valued and supported. We’re offering them the chance to achieve a lifelong goal, and in return, they’re bringing loyalty and dedication to an organization that believed in them. This partnership goes beyond filling roles; it’s about fostering the next generation of nurses in an environment where they’re deeply connected and genuinely want to be.”
Feirn: “For us, the loyalty and commitment we’re seeing are the most valuable outcomes. Since launching this program, we’ve already reduced our reliance on contract nurses significantly. It’s more than a financial benefit—these students are embedded in our culture from the start, and they’re bringing long-term stability to our workforce. By investing in their success, we’re creating a mission-driven team of nurses who will contribute to our organization and our community for years to come.”
For more information, email the Adtalem Global Communications Team: adtalemmedia@adtalem.com.
