OSWEGO – The American Association of Colleges of Nursing recommends that registered nurses obtain a bachelor’s degree to prepare for the complex tasks they will encounter in the field. For many nurses, however, cost represents one of the main challenges of returning to school.
As the third largest employer in Oswego County and local healthcare leader, Oswego Health believes in investing in its employees and so in 2020, launched a tuition assistance program for those looking to advance their training. To date, a total of 34 employees have benefited from the program with Oswego Health financially investing over $390,000.
Among those who have taken advantage of the opportunity is Brandi Kerling, BSN, RN. Kerling was one of 20 RNs who received tuition assistance in 2023 to advance their training and education and Oswego Health is proud to share that she graduated in March 2023 from Chamberlain University with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
Brandi Kerling, BSN, RN shares, “I’ve always wanted to further my education, but it wasn’t until I knew I had the support from Oswego Health through their tuition assistance program did I decide to invest in myself. It was hard to juggle both work and family time, but Oswego Health made sure I had that flexibility and financial support to pursue my degree at my own pace.”
Joining Oswego Health in 2012 initially as an RN on the pediatric unit, Kerling later transitioned to Surgical Services in 2013, a department she thrives in. In 2021 she was promoted to Senior RN.
The RN Tuition Assistance program offers up to $10,000 per year to current employees at Oswego Health looking to advance their training in nursing, medical imaging, or laboratory science. New employees or those interested in working for Oswego Health are also eligible to apply at www.oswegohealth.org/careers.
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About Oswego Health:
The mission of Oswego Health is to provide accessible, quality care and improve the health of residents throughout Oswego County. As a nonprofit healthcare system established in 1881, Oswego Health is proud to continue to be one of Oswego County’s largest employers. More than 1,200 employees spread throughout its 17 locations, work for the Oswego Health system, which includes the 132-bed community Oswego Hospital, a 32-bed psychiatric acute-care facility with multiple outpatient behavioral health service locations, The Manor at Seneca Hill, a 120-bed skilled nursing facility, and Springside at Seneca Hill, an independent retirement community. The health system also operates Oswego Health Home Care, the only hospital-based certified home healthcare agency in the County as well as two outpatient centers, including the Fulton Medical Center, offering urgent care, lab, medical imaging, physical therapy, and occupational health services, and the Central Square Medical Center, offering urgent care, lab, medical imaging, and physical therapy services. In addition, Oswego Health includes the Oswego Health captive professional corporation, Physician Care P.C., providing physician services in orthopedics, cardiology, ENT, gastroenterology, breast care, audiology, general surgery, bariatrics, and primary care. For more information about Oswego Health, please visit our website at www.oswegohealth.org.
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