Assuring Success with a Commitment to Enhance Nurse Diversity

ASCEND accepts applications year-round, admitting students entering their junior or senior year of school. Students must attend an accredited and approved college and be willing to commit to a post-graduation work commitment with Akron Children’s.

Students will receive:

• Mentoring and support from nurses and leaders at Akron Children’s
• Access to professional development courses
• Shadowing opportunities in clinical and nursing specialty areas            

ASCEND participants are offered fifteen paid hours per month for professional development and must meet the following requirements:

• Successfully pass coursework and attend school each semester
• Attend two shadow sessions per month
• Meet monthly with an assigned mentor.

All participants receive the following:

• 100% of tuition prep-paid, including uniforms, fees, and books
• Transportation and childcare assistance as needed
• Job placement assistance post-graduation

• Member of underrepresented group in nursing (i.e., race, ethnicity, gender, LGBTQ+, military/veteran)
• Completion of sophomore year before joining the program
• Good standing in an accredited and approved BSN program
• Successful completion of Akron Children’s onboarding process  

Applications are accepted on our job seekers website

• The student will apply for the Career Launch program and complete the application process.
• Additional program information will be sent to the candidate via email along with a request to schedule a thirty-minute intake call.
• After a successful intake, the student will begin the onboarding process and be hired into a Career Launch student position.
• Final selection will occur after the completion of interviews and the candidate passes
• all onboarding requirements including drug/nicotine screening, reference check, and background screening (BCI/FBI fingerprints confirm no disqualifying convictions under ORC 2151.86)

Please direct questions to Careerlaunch@akronchildrens.org