West Virginia University at Parkersburg nursing student Justin Phillips sits with WVU Medicine Camden Clark CEO Steve Altmiller as they sign the paperwork for Phillips to be in the WVU Medicine Aspiring Nurse Program at the hospital. The hospital is providing financial assistance to a select group of area nursing students in exchange for an employment commitment at the hospital after they graduate. (Photo by Brett Dunlap) 
West Virginia Junior College nursing student Katie Tabler sits with WVU Medicine Camden Clark CEO Steve Altmiller as they sign the paperwork for Phillips to be in the WVU Medicine Aspiring Nurse Program during a signing ceremony Monday at the hospital. (Photo by Brett Dunlap) 
Washington State College of Ohio nursing student Josie Joy sits with WVU Medicine Camden Clark CEO Steve Altmiller as they sign the paperwork for Joy to be in the WVU Medicine Aspiring Nurse Program at the hospital. The program provides financial assistance to the nursing students in exchange for an employment commitment at the hospital after they graduate. (Photo by Brett Dunlap) 
A signing ceremony was held at WVU Medicine Camden Clark Monday for the next group of students accepted into the WVU Medicine Aspiring Nurse Program at the hospital which provides financial assistance so students can complete nursing school in return for an employment commitment after they graduate. There were 15 students at the signing representing West Virginia University at Parkersburg, West Virginia Junior College and Washington State College of Ohio at the signing ceremony. Pictured are front row from left, Jessica Casto (WVUP), Josie Joy (WSCO), Brianna Wilson (WSCO), Caitrin Lowers (WVUP), Meghan Manning (WVUP), Brianna Edwards (WVUP) and Roxanne Kosh (WVUP); Back row from left, Camden Clark Chief Nursing Officer Carol Grove, Katie Tabler (WVJC), Katlin Stewart (WVUP), Anna Lamp (WVJC), Joseph Kent (WVJC), Camden Clark President and CEO Steve Altmiller, Justin Phillips (WVUP), Jordan Kuhn (WVJC), Riley Dixon (WVJC) and Rheanna Hunter (WVJC). (Photo Provided)
West Virginia University at Parkersburg nursing student Justin Phillips sits with WVU Medicine Camden Clark CEO Steve Altmiller as they sign the paperwork for Phillips to be in the WVU Medicine Aspiring Nurse Program at the hospital. The hospital is providing financial assistance to a select group of area nursing students in exchange for an employment commitment at the hospital after they graduate. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)
PARKERSBURG — A new group of nursing students have made a commitment to WVU Medicine Camden Clark Medical Center as they work to become nurses.
A signing ceremony was held at the hospital Monday for the next group of students accepted into the WVU Medicine Aspiring Nurse Program. The program gives financial assistance to the students in exchange for an employment commitment at the hospital after they graduate, working in the nursing field.
There were 15 students representing West Virginia University at Parkersburg (WVUP), West Virginia Junior College (WVJC) and Washington State College of Ohio (WSCO) at the signing ceremony. The students from WVUP were Jessica Casto, Brianna Edwards, Roxanne Kosh, Caitrin Lowers, Meghan Manning, Justin Phillips and Katlin Stewart. The students from WVJC were Riley Dixon, Rheanna Hunter, Joseph Kent, Jordan Kuhn, Anna Lamp and Katie Tabler. The students from WSCO were Josie Joy and Brianna Wilson.
Carol Grove, Camden Clark Chief Nursing Officer, said the program through the hospital, hospital staff, each student’s college and their families were all there to support them and address questions so they can succeed in their chosen career path.
“The Aspiring Nurse Program is such an incredible program,” Grove said. “I know, for a fact, it has made a significant impact on many of our students.
West Virginia Junior College nursing student Katie Tabler sits with WVU Medicine Camden Clark CEO Steve Altmiller as they sign the paperwork for Phillips to be in the WVU Medicine Aspiring Nurse Program during a signing ceremony Monday at the hospital. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)
“I have had people stop by my office to tell me what a difference it makes. There are people who are a part of the Aspiring Nurse Program who would absolutely not have been able to go to nursing school without that help.”
The students will be doing clinical rotations at WVU Medicine Camden Clark to ensure they receive high quality, hands-on clinical immersion experiences to assist them as they transition to professional nursing practice, officials said.
The program was put together to support the students by providing up to $25,000 over the course of their schooling to help with things such as child care, tuition assistance and more.
Camden Clark President and CEO Steve Altmiller talked about the challenges many people face, especially in getting an education.
“I like this program because it gives us a way to help you along this journey,” he said.
Washington State College of Ohio nursing student Josie Joy sits with WVU Medicine Camden Clark CEO Steve Altmiller as they sign the paperwork for Joy to be in the WVU Medicine Aspiring Nurse Program at the hospital. The program provides financial assistance to the nursing students in exchange for an employment commitment at the hospital after they graduate. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)
As the students go through their academic programs and training, he urged them to try different aspects of nursing to see what areas they might want to eventually work in. Through those experiences, he hopes they can help and inspire future students at some point.
Altmiller said nursing is a challenging field as many nurses have someone else’s lives in their hands. They need to be able to interact with those with experience.
“This is a tough journey and you need to be able to ask for help,” he said.
Officials from WVUP, WVJC and WSCO all talked about the need for quality nurses who will be providing care to the community and how this program helps to provide that.
The students felt the program will help them get established in the nursing field.
A signing ceremony was held at WVU Medicine Camden Clark Monday for the next group of students accepted into the WVU Medicine Aspiring Nurse Program at the hospital which provides financial assistance so students can complete nursing school in return for an employment commitment after they graduate. There were 15 students at the signing representing West Virginia University at Parkersburg, West Virginia Junior College and Washington State College of Ohio at the signing ceremony. Pictured are front row from left, Jessica Casto (WVUP), Josie Joy (WSCO), Brianna Wilson (WSCO), Caitrin Lowers (WVUP), Meghan Manning (WVUP), Brianna Edwards (WVUP) and Roxanne Kosh (WVUP); Back row from left, Camden Clark Chief Nursing Officer Carol Grove, Katie Tabler (WVJC), Katlin Stewart (WVUP), Anna Lamp (WVJC), Joseph Kent (WVJC), Camden Clark President and CEO Steve Altmiller, Justin Phillips (WVUP), Jordan Kuhn (WVJC), Riley Dixon (WVJC) and Rheanna Hunter (WVJC). (Photo Provided)
“It will open doors for employment and help support us financially through school,” Joy said. “I’m very thankful.”
Wilson said the program helps ensure she can have job security.
“It helps make sure my family is good while I’m going to school and focusing on my work and my future,” she said.
Kuhn is looking forward to becoming the best nurse she can. Her coursework through WVJC has been online to be able to take care of her family and other responsibilities in her life. The Aspiring Nursing Program helps provide financial stability while she is in school.
“It means a lot that they are willing to help financially to take the burden off so we can go to nursing school, become nurses and provide for our families,” she said.
Phillips said the financial support is great as he has a wife and two kids. He has been working two jobs to support them.
“Any extra help to pay for books and tuition really helps a lot,” he said. “The hospital has staff who are willing to help throughout the program. There is a lot of coordination (between WVUP and the hospital).
“That is a big plus for the program.”
