New BSN Program Offers Full Tuition and Guaranteed Nursing Jobs Across 4 States

Image: Chamberlain University

A new collaboration between Chamberlain University and SSM Health is changing how students enter the nursing profession. The Aspiring Nurse Program offers an affordable, student-centered way to earn a BSN—complete with tuition support, hands-on experience, and a direct path to employment at SSM Health care sites in Oklahoma, Missouri, Illinois, and Wisconsin.

A Streamlined Path Into the Workforce

Launching this fall in Oklahoma, the program aims to graduate more than 400 nurses each year, helping meet the critical demand for skilled professionals across SSM Health’s four-state network.

Students accepted into the program can expect:

• Full tuition and fees covered through tuition savings and post-grad loan repayment*
  
  
• Clinical training in SSM Health facilities near their communities
  
  
• Guaranteed job placement for those who meet eligibility requirements

In return, participants commit to working at SSM Health after graduation—creating a long-term pipeline of nurses who are trained, supported, and ready to provide care from day one.

“The nursing shortage demands bold, scalable solutions,” said Laura Kaiser, FACHE, president and CEO of SSM Health. “This program is a strategic investment in our people and our Mission.”

How Tuition Support Works

Students who qualify may have their entire BSN program paid for. Here's how the financial support is structured:

• Tuition savings are applied while enrolled
  
  
• Student loan repayment kicks in after graduation, provided students:
  
  
  • Earn a BSN from Chamberlain University
    
    
  • Pass the NCLEX-RN
    
    
  • Fulfill an employment commitment of up to four years with SSM Health

*Note: To qualify for full coverage, students must finance 100% of tuition and fees with student loans. Repayment benefits may be subject to taxes.

Learn Online, Train Locally

This flexible hybrid model combines 100% online coursework with in-person clinicals at SSM Health locations. Students get the advantage of working in the very settings where they may eventually be hired—learning SSM Health's systems, tools, and care culture firsthand.

“We’re not only preparing students for success—we’re strengthening the future of patient care across our communities,” said Amy Wilson, DNP, chief nurse executive at SSM Health.

Why This Model Matters

This is the first national partnership of its kind to link nursing education directly with employment on such a scale. It addresses multiple challenges at once:

• Easing the cost burden of nursing school
  
  
• Preparing graduates to hit the ground running
  
  
• Filling workforce gaps in local care systems

“We’re building the foundation for long-term workforce stability while ensuring graduates are day-one ready. This is the future of strategic healthcare workforce development,” said Steve Beard, CEO of Adtalem Global Education, Chamberlain’s parent company.

Image: Business Wire

Program Timeline and Locations

The first Oklahoma cohort starts in September 2025. Additional cohorts will launch in:

• Missouri (St. Louis and Jefferson City)
  
  
• Illinois
  
  
• Wisconsin

Students will complete clinical rotations at SSM Health facilities, gaining valuable experience in the same systems they’ll join as new hires.

More Than a Career Pipeline

Beyond just filling roles, the program aims to develop resilient care teams by:

• Supporting students early in their training
  
  
• Aligning education with real-world practice
  
  
• Promoting long-term retention and growth within SSM Health

“This is a bold reimagining of how we grow and support the next generation of nurses,” Wilson added.

Apply Now

Applications are now open for the inaugural Oklahoma cohort.

To learn more or apply, visit:
👉 Chamberlain.edu/aspiring-nurse-program-oklahoma

🤔Nurses, share your thoughts in the discussion forum below!