Thirty-five employees of American Senior Communities (ASC) were honored this week with a graduation ceremony and luncheon at Bridgewater Country Club in Carmel. These employees have completed nursing programs made available to them through a unique educational opportunity presented by the Health & Hospital Corporation (HHC) and ASC through their long-term care partnership.
ASC and HHC together are the largest senior care provider in Indiana. Both organizations have a solid reputation of promoting professional growth of their employees and in the long-term care (LTC) nursing profession, this has resulted in the creation of an innovative pathway for employees to become nurses.
Within this unique nursing scholarship program, Opportunities to Nursing Excellence (O2NE), ASC employees can increase their level of professional education. Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) can earn diplomas to become Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) and LPNs can earn diplomas to become Registered Nurses (RNs). Over half of the program’s current participants are on track to become RNs. The program aids front-line caregiver staff to achieve new levels of credentialing and ability, ultimately improving the entire senior healthcare system. Several O2NE graduates are currently working in clinical management positions, evidence for the pathway created by this scholarship program to advance career potential for these students.
Locally, 16 graduates were recognized. The following is a complete listing of this year’s O2NE Scholarship Program graduates from the Indianapolis Metro area:
Janice Crawford, RN, Beech Grove Meadows; Danielle Brandenburg, RN, Bethany Village Assisted Living; Heather Cunningham, RN, Community Nursing and Rehabilitation; Amanda Sale, LPN, Danville Regional Rehabilitation; Laura Hazel, RN, Eagle Valley Meadows; Kelly West, RN and Jade Habrych, RN/ADNS, Riverwalk Village; Holly Fingers, RN, Rosegate; Tiffany Rowland, RN, Rosewalk Village Indianapolis; Erin Tucker-Stone, RN, Spring Mill Meadows; Ashley Marie, RN/DNS and Marianne Bush, RN, Greenwood Meadows; Sheena Brown, RN, Harcourt Terrace; Melissa Milligan, RN, Meadow Lakes; Cory Yaryan, RN/ADNS, North Capitol Nursing and Rehabilitation, and Sharlette Terrell, RN, Washington Healthcare Center.
To date this scholarship program has fueled opportunities for a total of 216 graduates, including 18 Directors of Nursing, Regional Clinical Directors, and many additional versatile roles within the healthcare community.
ASC and HHC have made it possible for staff members to continue their formal training and credentialing while maintaining their current jobs. Selected participants can attend nursing school with tuition and books fully paid for by the community where they work. Participants are also given a reduced work schedule, allowing them additional time for classes and study without being penalized financially.