Shepherd University, Meritus Medical Center team up to address critical shortage of nursing professionals

SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. ( DC News Now ) — Demand for nurses in the hospital setting has brought a major medical center to the region with the School of Nursing at Shepherd University.

Under the arrangement, students have the hospital’s financial support and the medical center is meeting the growing need for health care professionals.

With an aging population, there is an increased need for nurses. To meet that need Meritus Medical Center in Hagerstown will cover tuition, expenses for books, lab fees and uniforms for nursing students just across the Potomac at Shepherd University.

The profession faces a critical hiring need, according to Melissa McHugh-Short, vice president and chief nursing officer at Meritus.

“Nationwide there’s a shortage of nurses,” McHugh-Short said. “We’re not unfamiliar with that at all in Western Maryland. So our goal is to continue to provide steady pipelines of staff.”

Dr. Mary Hancock, director of nursing at Shepherd, is ready for the partnership.

“Our students will work with Meritus in nursing tech during the nursing program and have guaranteed placement post-graduation,” Hancock said.

Nursing student, Honghui Pang, is eager to enter the profession.

“You get quick feedback when you are helping people in the hospital,” Pang said. “You feel appreciated.”

And financial support goes a long way for the students.

“Many of our students are first generation in the classroom who have a financial need,” Hancock said.

Nursing student, Hayden Kimball said the tuition reimbursement will help a lot.

“School, in general, isn’t cheap so it’s nice to be able to get money back, especially for young kids,” Kimball said.

The first enrollees in the program will arrive on campus next month.

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