A Collaboration Rooted in Care

To be eligible for the Aspiring Nurse Program, students must:

• Complete a brief interview with SSM Health.  
• Sign all required documentation, such as the Educational Loan Assistance Agreement.
• Reside within 50 miles of an SSM Health facility in Oklahoma.
• Authorize Chamberlain University to share their academic and loan information with SSM Health and its loan servicer to administer the loan repayment benefit. 

With the national nursing shortage, the need for nurses has never been greater in Oklahoma. Chamberlain University and SSM Health are collaborating to make education and healthcare more accessible.

Here’s why we’re a perfect match:

• As the nation’s largest nursing school, Chamberlain University believes that if we take extraordinary care of our students, we will graduate skilled healthcare professionals who have a significant impact in our communities and around the world while advancing health equity for all.  
• SSM Health is a nationally recognized, not-for-profit, fully integrated health system dedicated to advancing health equity and delivering high-quality, compassionate care. Serving communities across Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Wisconsin, SSM Health includes 23 hospitals, more than 500 physician offices, outpatient and virtual care services, senior care, home care, hospice, a pharmacy benefit company, a health insurance company, and an accountable care organization.
• With our shared vision, the Aspiring Nurse Program in Oklahoma plans to support graduates, build a pipeline of future nursing professionals, and benefit the Oklahoma community. 

The Aspiring Nurse Program provides financial support through a Chamberlain scholarship and an SSM Health loan repayment benefit to students who commit to working as registered nurses at SSM Health facilities after graduation. Here’s how the program works:

• Tuition Scholarship: Chamberlain University offers a generous scholarship that reduces tuition costs for eligible students, making their nursing education more affordable.
• Loan Repayment Benefit: After graduation, SSM Health will repay educational loans taken out specifically for the Chamberlain BSN degree program. This benefit is contingent on the participant’s employment with SSM Health.
• Loan Repayment Process:
  • SSM Health, or its designated third-party servicer, will make monthly payments directly to the participant’s loan servicer(s).
  • Monthly payments continue for up to 48 months (up to four years), until the eligible loans are paid off, or until the participant’s employment requirement with SSM Health ends, whichever comes first.
  • Participants may be responsible for any taxes owed on the loan amounts repaid.
  • If a participant leaves SSM Health before their loan is fully repaid, they will not be required to repay any benefits they have already received.
• Work Commitment: Participants must work at least 32 hours per week as a registered nurse with SSM Health for up to four years after passing the NCLEX-RN and starting employment.
• Eligible Loans: Only private and federal student loans used to cover the cost of the Chamberlain BSN program qualify for repayment. Grants, scholarships, or other funding that does not require repayment are not eligible.
• Continued Eligibility: If a participant’s employment ends with SSM Health or the participant no longer meets these requirements, loan repayment benefits will stop immediately. 

With the growing demand for nurses in Oklahoma and the surrounding areas, the Aspiring Nurse Program is designed to make nursing education more accessible while addressing the critical need for skilled healthcare professionals in the region. Here’s why you should consider the program: 

• SSM Health’s Purpose: At the heart of our mission—“Through our exceptional health care services, we reveal the healing presence of God”—is a deep commitment to supporting students. We provide the tools and resources needed for success, including financial assistance, immersive clinical training, dedicated mentorship, and a pathway into your role as a BSN-prepared nurse. 
• Chamberlain University’s Commitment: As the nation’s largest nursing school, Chamberlain University is committed to supporting students through their educational journey. By taking extraordinary care of its students, Chamberlain ensures graduates are well-prepared to make a meaningful impact in their communities and advance health equity.
• Shared Vision for the Future: The partnership between SSM Health and Chamberlain University reflects a shared commitment to building a strong nursing workforce in Oklahoma. The Aspiring Nurse Program not only supports students in achieving their career goals but also strengthens the healthcare system in the region.
  
  Comprehensive Benefits:
• A direct pathway to a nursing career with SSM Health, including mentorship and professional development opportunities.
• A tuition scholarship from Chamberlain University to make your nursing education more affordable.
• A loan repayment benefit for educational loans used to fund your Chamberlain BSN degree program.
• The opportunity to gain real-world experience in a respected healthcare network while contributing to the well-being of your community.

By joining the Aspiring Nurse Program, you’ll not only receive financial and professional support, but also become part of a mission-driven organization dedicated to making a difference in the lives of patients and families across Oklahoma.

As a participant in the Aspiring Nurse Program, you must:

• Graduate from Chamberlain’s BSN program within four years of enrollment.  
• Pass the NCLEX-RN.  
• Pass all pre-employment checks.  
• Provide all required documentation (such as loan and program agreements).  
• Authorize Chamberlain to share your academic and loan information with SSM Health and its loan servicer.  
• Work at least 32 hours per week as a registered nurse with SSM Health.  
• Remain a full-time employee in good standing during the loan repayment period.  
• Maintain good academic standing throughout your degree program at Chamberlain. Course drops, course withdrawals, or failing grades that may negatively impact your ability to continue to participate in the Aspiring Nurse Program need to be discussed with your Chamberlain Academic Support Advisor.