Call for nurses
Program brings more pediatric nurses
Local health care officials are excited about the development of a $114 million pediatric mental health care facility in Omaha, but they also recognize the challenges ahead, particularly in securing a skilled workforce amid an ongoing nursing shortage.
To tackle this issue, Children’s Nebraska has partnered with the Creighton University College of Nursing to boost the number of qualified pediatric nurses on their campus. Supported by the Omaha-based Ryan Foundation, the initiative will offer 40 full-tuition scholarships for Creighton’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program. Recipients of these scholarships, who must already hold a bachelor’s degree, will be required to commit to two years of employment at Children’s Nebraska in exchange for their education. Marcie Peterson, Vice President and Associate Chief Nursing Officer at Children’s, expressed optimism about a new initiative aimed at strengthening the nursing workforce. She believes it will cultivate nurses who “truly have a calling to nursing.”
“The value they bring to our workforce is significant, given their prior experiences and clarity about their goals,” Peterson remarked, adding that these individuals offer “a lot more bang for our buck.” The concept for the scholarship program arose from a confluence of factors, explained Clark, particularly the upcoming 2026 launch of the Behavioral Health & Wellness Center at the Children’s Omaha headquarters. Notably, $16 million of the facility's funding comes from the federal American Rescue Plan Act as allocated by the Nebraska Legislature. Additionally, research from state health care organizations indicates that Nebraska could face a shortage of nearly 5,500 nurses this year. In discussions with potential nursing candidates currently in other roles, Clark noted that financial constraints were identified as the primary barrier to pursuing a nursing career. After conversations with representatives from Children’s and the Ryan Foundation, Clark and her team aimed for 10 scholarships but were pleased to secure funding for 40 instead.
Nurses who participate in a new scholarship program at Children’s Nebraska are expected to extend their commitment beyond the initial two years, according to hospital officials Peterson and Clark. They noted that Children’s has a strong history of retaining nursing staff. Peterson highlighted that Children’s fosters an environment conducive to career growth, citing her own journey as proof. She began her career at Children’s as a receptionist right after high school, 26 years ago, before pursuing a nursing degree. In a recent interview, Peterson said “By developing a workforce tailored to the changing needs of children and families in our region, we are taking significant steps forward,” said Pam Johnson-Carlson, senior vice president and chief nursing officer at Children’s. “This partnership will guarantee that skilled pediatric nurses are prepared to provide outstanding care in both acute and specialized environments for years ahead.”
By: Robert Tengker