In recognition of Workforce Development Month this September, the Nebraska Hospital Association (NHA) is highlighting the proactive investments Nebraska hospitals are pouring into building, recruiting, and retaining a strong health care workforce in the state.

As hospitals and health systems face ongoing labor constraints, facilities across Nebraska are building the health care pipeline through focused workforce development programs, including providing financial aid, tuition assistance, and loan repayment for health care careers, expanding internships, clinical rotations, and hands-on shadow experiences, building strong partnerships with regional colleges, universities, and high schools, and fostering early health care career education to inspire the next generation of providers.

"A strong health care system relies on the dedicated professionals who care for our communities every day," said Jeremy Nordquist, President and CEO of the Nebraska Hospital Association. "Nebraska hospitals are not waiting for solutions to come to them, they are actively investing time, funding, and talent into their local communities. By partnering with educational institutions, creating on-site training pipelines, and offering financial assistance, our member hospitals are securing the future of Nebraska’s health care workforce and ensuring high-quality care remains accessible close to home."

Gordon Memorial Hospital District’s nursing home recently became a designated Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) training site. Hosting classes that graduate approximately 48 students per year, the initiative has improved patient care, significantly reduced reliance on costly contract labor, and strengthened the local talent pool.

By actively investing in pipeline development through ongoing partnerships with regional schools and universities, Kearney County Health Services in Minden supports medical resident training rotations and hosts nursing and allied health students for clinical experiences. Additionally, they welcome university students for facility tours and specialty shadowing and provide job shadow experiences for local high school students to cultivate early interest in health care careers.

Investing deeply in the people who serve their community every day, Pender Community Hospital offers tuition assistance to help current staff advance their education, alongside targeted loan repayment options designed to recruit and retain providers in a rural setting. Through active participation in local career fairs and a robust multi-disciplinary student shadowing program, the facility continues to build its next generation of health care professionals.

Partnering directly with the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) and the University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK), Kearney Regional Medical Center is actively expanding the rural health care pipeline with a focus on nontraditional students and military veterans. These educational efforts directly support expanded access to critical inpatient services in the region.

Together, these local initiatives demonstrate a unified commitment among Nebraska hospitals to overcome workforce challenges through innovation, financial support, and community engagement.