MONROE — In 2024, SSM Health Monroe Hospital and Blackhawk Technical College (BTC) joined together to address a critical community need resulting from the shortage of registered nurses (RNs) in our rural healthcare system. This partnership exemplifies innovation, collaboration, and shared leadership in support of a stronger, more resilient healthcare workforce. 

Together, SSM Health and BTC developed a program where a cohort of students made up of current SSM Health employees advancing their career can attend BTC classes in Janesville virtually from the Monroe Campus. This is the first time in 25 years that on site nursing education will take place at BTC’s Monroe Campus.  

These nursing students then complete clinicals at SSM Health Monroe Hospital under the instruction of a master’s prepared, full-time employed SSM Health RN. This RN leads clinical experiences twice a week and when not teaching, is employed in the SSM Health Monroe Hospital Emergency Department.  

The first cohort of three nursing students are underway in their second semester. Due to the strong response and early success, the partnership has expanded the program with a second cohort of seven students set to begin in January 2026.  

This partnership is not only filling critical RN gaps but transforming lives. The internal response from SSM Health employees proved there was a desire to attend nursing school but not the means to do so. One student is a single mother who had long dreamed of becoming a nurse but could not attend programs located more than an hour away. Now enrolled in this cohort, she is so grateful for this opportunity and is the type of individual envisioned to benefit from this program.  

By localizing academic and clinical components, SSM Health and Blackhawk Technical College have unlocked potential for rural community members who otherwise could not pursue nursing careers. This partnership not only strengthens the workforce but deepens the combined commitment to serve the surrounding Monroe communities.  

SSM Health is dedicated to finding unique and innovative solutions for Wisconsin’s healthcare workforce challenges. In addition to partnerships with BTC in Green and Rock Counties, SSM Health is also proud to partner with local and national healthcare education partners.