Medical City Grows Own Nurses

Medical City finds nurses internally

Between 2006 and 2016, the nursing field is expected to grow by 23 percent, adding 587,000 jobs according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

However, with the current nursing shortage there may not be enough nurses to fill those positions. So hospitals are coming up with new and creative ways to address that problem, like Medical City Dallas’ Grow Your Own Nurse program.

Medical City Dallas and El Centro Community College created the program three years ago. If a clerical employee is interested in becoming a nurse, but he or she doesn’t have the means to, this program gives them that opportunity.

Carol Gregory, the Chief Nursing Officer at Medical City, says only the best applicants make it through.

“A screening process occurs and they’re selected based on their potential,” Gregory said.

Brandi Gaines was one of the employees selected for the program this year. She graduated Wednesday night. Now, the mother of two is looking forward to the future.

“It feels wonderful, it’s just a great sense of relief and a great sense of accomplishment,” Gaines said.

Brandi’s graduating class will begin their nursing internship in July.

Contact Us