AdventHealth Bolingbrook
UChicago Medicine AdventHealth Bolingbrook, a healthcare provider serving the community for 17 years with 890 team members, has taken a major step in workforce development by launching a registered apprenticeship program in partnership with the Workforce Services Division of Will County and the U.S. Department of Labor.
The idea began as an Incumbent Worker Training (IWT) project. After reviewing the application, Workforce Services recognized it was an ideal fit for an apprenticeship framework. From there, the program was shaped through multiple planning meetings and ongoing check-ins, covering related technical instruction, on-the-job training, and financial planning. Local Department of Labor Apprenticeship Training Representatives were engaged throughout to ensure the program met all federal standards.
Prior to the program, Bolingbrook Hospital faced challenges in providing efficient preceptor training for nurse residents due to limited funding. Hiring was also constrained by the number of residents the hospital could accommodate. With the support of the apprenticeship grant, the hospital was able to expand its capacity to include four additional nurse residents.
These residents participated in comprehensive training covering communication, patient admissions and discharges, patient care and safety, clinical procedures, specimen management, blood product administration, and medication management. As a result, nurse residents strengthened their ability to conduct patient debriefs, manage shift handoffs, administer medications, interpret diagnoses, and implement treatment care plans.
One participant shared, "The program has empowered me in my nursing journey and helped me grow confident in my clinical and people skills! I'm graduating in May, and after graduation, my plan is to come back and work at Bolingbrook Hospital!
By removing administrative and compliance burdens, Workforce Services allowed AdventHealth Bolingbrook to focus on building a program that will continue to develop skilled healthcare professionals and expand access to high-quality patient care in the community. Additionally, the program has become a roadmap for other AdventHealth Hospitals across to adopt the framework, continuing the much-needed support for healthcare professionals!