The National Machinery Foundation has approved a grant of $16,000 to support Mercy Tiffin Hospital's Work Grant Program.
This program provides assistance with educational costs for those choosing nursing as a profession. Nursing shortages directly impact Mercy Tiffin's ability to employ professionally trained individuals to provide quality health care.
During the next five years, 18 percent of the nurses at Mercy Tiffin will reach retirement age, creating a shortage of trained replacements. Treating an aging baby-boomer population will increase demand in the nursing health care profession.
"We sincerely appreciate the National Machinery Foundation's generosity in helping us provide high quality and compassionate care to our community," said Dale Thornton, president and chief executive officer of Mercy Tiffin Hospital. "The National Machinery Foundation has not only supported this program, but was a major donor to the capital campaign for our new hospital, while at the same time supporting other local organizations that have helped countless members of our community."
The Mercy Tiffin Work Grant Program provides tuition expenses and other related academic fees to students accepted in pre-approved, accredited clinical programs of study, including nursing programs and other identified areas, in exchange for a commitment to work for Mercy Tiffin following the recipient's graduation and the acquisition of required licenses.
"This grant will assist us to close the gap in an overall shortage of nurses," said Diana Olson, chief human resources officer at Mercy Tiffin Hospital.
