[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.faulkner.edu\/news\/faulkner-university-hosts-first-nurse-apprentice-signing-day\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.faulkner.edu\/news\/faulkner-university-hosts-first-nurse-apprentice-signing-day\/","headline":"Faulkner University Hosts First Nurse Apprentice Signing Day","name":"Faulkner University Hosts First Nurse Apprentice Signing Day","description":"Faulkner University marked a historic milestone by hosting its first Nurse Apprentice Signing Day on Dec. 18 in the College of Health Sciences, celebrating three nursing students selected for Alabama\u2019s Student Nurse Apprentice pathway. Representatives from Baptist Health and Vaughan Regional Medical Center joined…","datePublished":"2025-12-18","dateModified":"2026-02-26","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.faulkner.edu\/author\/rburylo\/#Person","name":"Rebecca Burylo","url":"https:\/\/www.faulkner.edu\/author\/rburylo\/","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/37a0c97fbd1eda89e38697defcaf0573?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/37a0c97fbd1eda89e38697defcaf0573?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Faulkner University","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.faulkner.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/Official-Horizontal-480x128.png","url":"https:\/\/www.faulkner.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/Official-Horizontal-480x128.png","width":480,"height":128}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.faulkner.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/Q1A5350-scaled.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.faulkner.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/Q1A5350-scaled.jpg","height":2097,"width":2560},"url":"https:\/\/www.faulkner.edu\/news\/faulkner-university-hosts-first-nurse-apprentice-signing-day\/","about":["College of Health Sciences","Community","Current Students","Highlights","News"],"wordCount":298,"articleBody":"Faulkner University marked a historic milestone by hosting its first Nurse Apprentice Signing Day on Dec. 18 in the College of Health Sciences, celebrating three nursing students selected for Alabama\u2019s Student Nurse Apprentice pathway.Representatives from Baptist Health and Vaughan Regional Medical Center joined university leaders to officially sign the students, who will receive paid, on-the-job clinical training while completing their nursing education.The students signed were Kolbi Bates and Eavie Polk with Baptist Health and Bethani Jackson with Vaughan Regional Medical Center. Jackson\u2019s signing is especially historic, as she is the first nursing apprentice ever selected by Vaughan Regional.The apprenticeship is a paid opportunity that allows students to earn income while gaining hands-on experience. Participants complete their clinical rotations at the facilities where they are employed, giving them real-world patient care experience while developing professional skills and confidence.Alabama was the first state in the nation to establish the nursing apprenticeship model, which has since been adopted by other states. The program operates in conjunction with the Alabama Office of Apprenticeship and the Alabama Board of Nursing. Students must apply for and receive an apprenticeship permit through the Board of Nursing before participating.Faulkner\u2019s three apprentices represent 27 percent of the current nursing cohort, underscoring the strength of the university\u2019s nursing program and its partnerships with regional health care providers.\u201cOur nursing students are in a unique position,\u201d said Faulkner School of Nursing Director Shellye A. Vardaman, PhD, RN, MEDSURG-BC, NEA-BC, CNE. \u201cThey are learning in real patient care environments while developing the skills and confidence needed to become competent professionals.\u201dThe signing day highlighted Faulkner University\u2019s commitment to innovative, workforce-driven education and preparing students to meet critical health care needs across Alabama."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"News","item":"https:\/\/www.faulkner.edu\/news\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Faulkner University Hosts First Nurse Apprentice Signing Day","item":"https:\/\/www.faulkner.edu\/news\/faulkner-university-hosts-first-nurse-apprentice-signing-day\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]