Aspiring Nurses Program (Formerly known as the RN Educational Assistance Program)
For Advocate Health Teammates Enrolled or Accepted into Nursing School
This program is available for all enterprise teammates who have been fully accepted or will continue in an associate degree Nursing (AD) or bachelor's degree Nursing (BSN) program.
Congratulations to Nixa Rivera – May 2022 Graduate and Aspiring Nursing Program graduate, mother, grandmother and current Atrium Health RN
About the Aspiring Nurses Program
Aspiring Nurses Program – 2026 Recruitment Now Open
The Aspiring Nurses Program is a workforce development initiative designed to support eligible teammates in pursuing their Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). The program provides tuition assistance, paid education time and career coaching to help teammates successfully transition into Registered Nurse (RN) roles. Participants may receive support for up to three years while completing their nursing degree.
What’s New for 2026
The program is now an enterprise initiative and is open to teammates in North Carolina, Illinois and Wisconsin. Funding has been updated to provide up to $7,500 per year for full-time teammates.
2026 Program Timeline
- Information Sessions: Tuesday, April 28 at 10 a.m. or 5:00 p.m. EDT (virtual)
- All interested applicants are required to attend a virtual information session. Applicants only need to attend one of the two session offerings.
- Register here
- Application Period: Friday, May 1 through Friday, May 15 at 11:59 p.m. EDT
- Application Review: Monday, May 18 through Friday, June 5
- Notifications: Monday, June 8
Get Started
As mentioned above, interested applicants are required to attend a mandatory virtual information session.
Register here.
Who is this program for?
- All Advocate Health teammates pursuing an ADN or BSN degree
- Teammates selected for the program receive:
- Up to three years of prepaid tuition, books and fees (up to $7,500 per year) for an eligible nursing program
- Paid education time for part-time and full-time teammates
- Support from career coaches throughout nursing school
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
- Be a full-time or part-time Advocate Health teammate
- Have been continuously employed for at least one year at the time of application
- Be fully accepted (unconditionally) into an approved ADN or BSN program leading to RN licensure
- Be in good standing at Advocate Health (no written disciplinary action in the last 12 months)
- Have met the requirements of their current role, per their Year-End Check-In
- Have a gross income of $55,000/year or less
- Be recommended by their current leader (leader recommendation required)
- Attend a mandatory information session before applying
Before You Apply
- You must attend a mandatory information session
- You must complete the application in full once given access
- You must provide the name and email of your current leader (the person who completes your annual performance review)
- You must be in good academic and financial standing with your nursing school. (This program is not retroactive; benefits begin the fall semester after acceptance).
- You must commit to:
- Completing your nursing program within three years
- Working at Advocate Health for four years after obtaining RN licensure or BSN graduation
- Notifying your leader if you transfer departments or report to a new leader
How to Apply
The 2026 application will be available starting Friday, May 1.
Additional Program Benefits & Requirements
- Work Flexibility: Selected full-time teammates may reduce their work hours while maintaining their current compensation and benefits.
- New Graduate RN Residency: Participants must apply for a position in the New Graduate RN Residency Program at least six months before graduation. Learn more about the program here.
- Continued Employment Commitment: Participants must remain employed at Advocate Health as an RN for at least four consecutive years after licensure.
For questions, contact AH-AspiringNurses@aah.org .
