Facility Enrollment and Reimbursement
Funding available for the nurse apprentice hourly wages and differential payment for hourly rate of the supervising registered nurse supervising a nurse apprentice.
Funding available for a retention or sign-on bonus upon graduation and licensure of the Nurse Apprentice to Registered Nurse with proof of employment agreement from the facility.
Student Information
Funding is available directly to the Nurse Apprentice if the travel distance is at least 50 miles (one way) from the employing hospital. This funding will reimburse at the GSA rates for food per diem, mileage, and lodging if needed (with lodging receipt required). This reimbursement will be made via EFT so banking information is required.
All request forms are due by the 10th of each month for travel that occurred the month prior.
Testimonials
With 46 years of nursing experience, including 16 in leadership, I have seen firsthand the profound impact of the Nevada Nurse Apprentice Program on nursing education and workforce development. This program bridges the gap between academic learning and real-world practice, allowing student nurses to gain essential hands-on experience under the guidance of experienced preceptors.
For facilities like ours, which have faced staffing challenges, the program provides a steady pipeline of potential hires. By offering students flexible, per diem positions, we support their education while integrating them into the healthcare team. This mutual evaluation period helps ensure the right fit for both the student and the facility, strengthening our workforce.
Beyond skill development, the program eases the transition from student to professional nurse. Graduates enter the workforce with reduced anxiety, increased confidence, and established relationships within our facility—leading to higher retention rates and a more prepared nursing staff.
I was an Apprentice nurse in 2002 – 2003 and it was a wonderful experience for me, and I just want to give Nursing Students the opportunity to have the experience. …
I feel that even one nurse willing to work here after graduation is worth it. … Most of the [nurse apprentices] really appreciate the wide range of patients that come through our Emergency Room. It allows them to use the skills that they have learned and have been checked off for. …
I believe the NAP helps students to gain confidence. I loved working as an [apprentice nurse], it boosted my confidence so that I was able to step into my role as a Floor Nurse in Long Term Care with ease.
In February of 2024, I attended a meeting discussing the Nurse Apprentice program and what it offered students: schedule flexibly, decent pay and an opportunity to get additional hands-on experience. All of which appealed to me because I was having work troubles, and I had no medical background. That is why I applied to be a part of the apprentice program. It offered what every nursing student wants: flexibility, hands-on experience, good pay and additional ways to apply their learned knowledge. …
The impact of this program is more than meets the eye. For the student it alleviates them from the stresses of scheduling and financial hardship. Additionally, it aids them in their studies by allowing them to understand various medications and their indications, see diseases first hand and how it impacts someone, how to input orders and perform audits, be able to perform nursing duties more than once a week, be able apply learned knowledge and have access to people who have been in the field for 20+ years if questions arise.
One of the most impactful aspects of the program was the opportunity for direct patient care. While nursing school lays the foundation of theoretical knowledge, the hands-on experience I gained was exceptional. Under the guidance of experienced healthcare professionals, I actively participated in patient care, honing essential skills such as vital sign monitoring, medication administration, and wound care. Observing and engaging in real-time nursing interventions deepened my understanding of patient conditions and treatment plans, reinforcing my ability to deliver high-quality care.
Beyond clinical skills, the program broadened my exposure to diverse healthcare settings and equipped me with the critical thinking and decision-making abilities necessary for a Registered Nurse. Working in fast-paced environments, I learned how to prioritize tasks, communicate effectively, and adapt to unexpected challenges. The mentorship from experienced professionals provided invaluable support, constructive feedback, and confidence-building guidance that helped shape my professional growth.