Ivy Impact: Bridging the healthcare gap in Michiana

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - As hospitals work to fill healthcare vacancies across the country, local hospitals are finding aspiring nurses right in our own community.

Stepping into Ivy Tech’s nursing lab, you're greeted with a state-of-the-art facility that prepares students for real-world healthcare scenarios.

With the nursing shortage reaching critical levels across the country, the impact is being felt here in Michiana.

Michael Louderback, nursing instructor, says, “…you still have those issues of staffing shortages. So, the need for new nurses is, you know, now more than ever.” Joy Santiago, senior, adds, “Our area really needs help. South Bend needs help. The community needs help.”

But here at Ivy Tech in South Bend, students are stepping up to the challenge, even before they graduate.

Many of them start working in the field as juniors or seniors, helping to fill the urgent need for skilled and passionate nurses here in our community. Kendall Klaer, senior, works already, “at Beacon Granger. So, we have an ER and then we have inpatient beds over there, we take care of everything.”

Beacon and other partners like Elkhart General and St. Joseph Memorial Hospitals see the enthusiasm students have in their clinicals and are always eager to hire Ivy Tech grads. Klaer adds, “I personally am going to be going to Memorial’s ER, I signed over there. And I know a few of my other peers are going to be going to the ER Memorial. A few other baby nurses are going to go to Memorial.“

Turning healthcare dreams into a reality for aspiring nurses, regardless of their background or life journey. It’s an invitation that’s extended to anyone with an interest in healthcare. Louderback says, “Whether you're a traditional student coming right out of high school, whether you're somebody that hasn't taken a college course in 30 years, whether you have a full family that we're taking care of, we're going to work with you. We're going to get you that we want our community to be stronger and we think we absolutely play a huge role in that.”

If you’re interested in learning more about the nursing program at Ivy Tech, head to its website.