Partnership Provides Nurse Faculty In Fort Wayne

Like many states, Indiana faces a nursing shortage. One health system and college in the state have partnered to address the problem.

Many of nurses are retiring – that’s one reason for the shortage of registered nurses.  Judy Boerger, chief nursing executive at Parkview Health, says that trend also impacts the next generation. 

"The same sort of baby boomer way that we’re seeing in retirements of nurses at the bedside, we’re also seeing in faculty across the country," says Boerger. 

In Fort Wayne, an agreement between Parkview Health and Ivy Tech will provide a new faculty member that Parkview will pay for. The college turned away students last year because of the lack of instructors.  

"As I’m looking at our new 100 bed tower, I think that will be a great thing as we begin to produce more nurses for our community," Boerger says.

Starting in the fall, Ivy Tech will be able to educate 30 more nurses, bringing the class total to 334.