WVU Medicine Welcomes 20 Future Nurses Through Aspiring Nurse Program
Program sets students on path to a successful nursing career
MARTINSBURG, W.Va. (Aug. 25, 2026) – WVU Medicine has welcomed 20 future nurses from the tri-state region into its Aspiring Nurse Program, a partnership with local nursing schools designed to strengthen the pipeline of skilled healthcare professionals serving surrounding communities.
For the first time, students from Shepherd University are joining the program along with students from Blue Ridge Community and Technical College and West Virginia Junior College. The program provides financial assistance and personalized support for students as they complete their education and prepare to enter the workforce. Participants may receive up to $25,000 in funding, including a sign-on bonus and assistance with educational expenses over four semesters, in exchange for a three-year employment commitment with WVU Medicine upon graduation.
“Skilled nurses are in extremely high demand across the country, and that need is especially critical in our region,” said Samantha Richards, chief nursing and operations officer, at WVU Medicine Berkeley Medical Center. “This program helps students achieve their educational and career goals while ensuring our hospitals and communities have access to dedicated, highly trained professionals committed to delivering exceptional patient care.”
The Aspiring Nurse Program reflects WVU Medicine’s ongoing commitment to investing in the next generation of healthcare professionals and ensuring access to high-quality patient care throughout the region.
“One of the greatest benefits of this program is the opportunity for students to gain meaningful, hands-on clinical experience right here in the communities they will one day serve,” said Rebecca Shumaker, director of Professional Practice and Education for Berkeley and Jefferson Medical Centers. “Through their clinical rotations, students build the skills and confidence needed to succeed as registered nurses. Coupled with the one-on-one mentorship they receive from dedicated WVU Medicine liaisons, these experiences help support their academic success, strengthen their clinical abilities, and ease their transition into professional nursing practice.”
For more information about the WVU Medicine Aspiring Nurse Program, visit WVUMedicine.org/Aspiring-Nurse-Program.