On March 13, 2026, Tuskegee University made history by becoming the first Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in Alabama to register a nursing apprenticeship program. The result of a partnership between Tuskegee University and Baptist Health System, the program reimagines how nurses are trained, supported and retained. By combining paid clinical experience, one-on-one mentorship with experienced nurses, and financial support dedicated to reducing barriers to degree completion, keeping more students in school through graduation, the program creates a viable pathway for nursing students.
At a time when the United States is facing a shortage of nurses, which is projected to exceed 200,000 openings annually over the next decade, this program is both innovative and necessary. The burden of this shortage is felt in many communities, especially in the South. But, through this program, the university is closing the gap between the classroom and the workplace, by ensuring real experience, pay and preparedness for clinical practice.
This apprenticeship model flips the traditional script. Instead of waiting until later in their academic journey, students who join the nursing program will get the opportunity to begin their hands-on clinical training earlier in their academic careers. They will also be paired with nurse mentors in specialized hospital departments, allowing them to get firsthand experience before entering the workforce.
Financial barriers, which are one of the biggest barriers to degree completion, are also being tackled head-on. The Baptist Health System will serve as the University’s “last dollar” scholarship provider, covering the remaining tuition or eligible school-related expenses for students not met by other aid.
“This apprenticeship represents a different way of thinking about how we prepare Alabama’s healthcare workforce … By blending education with paid and structured on-the-job learning, we are expanding opportunity for students while helping healthcare employers build a strong, sustainable talent pipeline.” - Meredith Smith, Director of the Alabama Office of Apprenticeship
The nursing program at Tuskegee University itself has a long history, having been established in 1892. The first baccalaureate nursing program was later introduced in Alabama in 1948, making it one of the longest continually operating HBCU nursing programs in the United States. Now, Tuskegee University is evolving again, joining 30 other postsecondary institutions offering registered apprenticeships and becoming the first four-year HBCU to do so. This is more than just a milestone for Tuskegee but also a blueprint.
