As healthcare systems struggle to recruit and retain registered nurses, alternative workforce strategies like apprenticeships are emerging nationwide. This discussion paper investigates how apprenticeships—traditionally associated with technical trades—are being adapted for nursing in response to increasing demand and workforce gaps.
The paper examines both pre-licensure and post-licensure apprenticeship models, including student nurse programs and post-graduate residencies. It highlights examples from Kentucky, Connecticut, and Minnesota that integrate structured on-the-job training with formal education pathways, such as RN-to-BSN advancement.
While apprenticeships offer potential solutions, concerns persist around maintaining professional standards and educational rigor in nursing. Oregon stakeholders are encouraged to evaluate how such models could be adapted locally without compromising licensure standards or the profession’s advancement. The report ultimately calls for collaborative efforts to explore viable work-based learning strategies in the state.
