Rogers Behavioral Health establishes nursing scholarships

Posted on 01/24/17 08:50:am

System enhances benefits to promote education for its employees

(Oconomowoc, Wisc.) To help address the nursing shortage and attract the best candidates overall, Rogers Behavioral Health System is creating scholarships, enhancing tuition reimbursement, and offering other educational support for employees.

The Wisconsin-based system is offering a total of 10 new full-tuition and expense scholarships a year for employees at six locations in Wisconsin as well as at regional outpatient centers in Chicago, Minneapolis, Nashville, and Tampa. The scholarships will go to employees who have worked at least one year at Rogers and are starting an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in nursing. Full tuition, books, and related fees are covered up to a total of $53,800 for BSN students.

“While the nursing shortage is prevalent throughout the healthcare industry, nowhere is the need greater than in behavioral health,” said Patrick Hammer, President and CEO, Rogers Behavioral Health. “As a national leader in providing mental health services, it is important that Rogers is at the forefront of offering innovative solutions to address the industry shortage,” Hammer added. 

The Rogers system is also:

• Increasing tuition reimbursement for all employees (up to $5,000 for some roles)

• Starting a new bonus for completing a two-year, four-year or graduate degree in any applicable program (up to $3,000 a year depending upon degree)

• Adding an Educational Loan Relief Program to assist clinical employees in the pay back of their student loans. Affected positions are RN, Professional Counselor, Social Worker, Mental Health Professional, Residential Counselor, Behavioral Specialist, Experiential Therapist, Clinical Services Manager and related Ph.D. positions. (up to $1,000 a year)

Details on all of these policies are available to Rogers employees, and some restrictions apply. 

“We know that this investment will support employees who want to take their careers to the next level and work in positions that are in high demand in behavioral health. It’s important and rewarding work, and we are pleased to be able to give our employees the opportunity to grow their careers,” said Brian Kramer, Vice President – Human Resources.