Short Intro
In response to a growing nurse shortage in The Woodlands area, Lone Star College–The Woodlands and Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center have formed a groundbreaking partnership. Together, they will launch an expanded nursing education program in early 2025. The goal is to train more local nurses, ease staffing gaps and improve patient care across Montgomery and Harris counties.
1. The program adds 50 new nursing seats per year at Lone Star College–The Woodlands.
2. A $2 million Texas Workforce Commission grant funds labs, faculty hires and scholarships.
3. Graduates benefit from clinical rotations, mentor support and job commitments at Memorial Hermann.
Article
In The Woodlands area, health providers struggle with too few nurses. Local leaders see that the gap may hurt patient care. To solve this, two big names have joined forces. Lone Star College–The Woodlands and Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center will launch a new nursing education program. It aims to train more nurses in our growing community. The plan starts early next year. This move could ease staffing challenges and boost local health services.
Across Montgomery and Harris counties, hospitals report critical nurse shortages. Vacancy rates have climbed above 15 percent in some units. Emergency rooms and intensive care units are the hardest hit. Managers work extra shifts to fill gaps. The result: staff burnout and longer waits for patients. Leaders warn that numbers could get worse as local populations rise. They stress that more hands on deck are vital now.
To tackle the shortage, Lone Star College–The Woodlands will expand its nursing program by 50 seats each year. The college won a $2 million grant from the Texas Workforce Commission. Funds will help pay for new simulation labs and faculty hires. Students will gain hands-on training with high-tech manikins. Memorial Hermann The Woodlands will host many clinical rotations on site. The hospital will also offer experienced nurses as mentors.
The program offers two paths. One tracks students toward an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN). The other builds on that with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) completion option. Both paths meet Texas Board of Nursing standards. Graduates will sit for the NCLEX-RN exam and earn full licensure. With extra courses, BSN graduates may pursue leadership roles sooner. This design hopes to draw busy adults and career changers.
Applications open August 1 and close October 15 for the spring term. Prospective students must meet placement scores in reading, writing and math. The program will accept part-time and full-time learners. Classes run on the college’s new health sciences building at The Woodlands campus. Evening and weekend labs help working students. Advisers will guide each student from enrollment to their first clinical shift.
To lower barriers, the partners offer need-based and merit scholarships. Eligible students may apply for up to $5,000 per year. Memorial Hermann will fund scholarship spots in exchange for work commitments after graduation. Nurses who join the hospital will get a signing bonus and retention incentives. This deal links study funds to job security. It also offers students a clear path from school to stable work.
Community leaders praise the plan. Conroe ISD board member Maria Lopez says, “This effort shows how schools and hospitals can team up. It gives our young people real hope for local jobs.” The Woodlands Chamber leader Mark Davis adds, “A strong health sector is key for our economy. We need this program to grow our workforce and keep families healthy.” Local elected officials also voiced support.
Dr. Jane Nguyen, dean of nursing at Lone Star College–The Woodlands, notes that the program will ease faculty shortages too. She says, “Right now we compete with hospitals for instructors. With grant funds, we will add three full-time faculty. That means smaller classes and more hands-on time for each student.” She adds that more instructors will let the college enroll more learners each year.
John Smith, CEO of Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center, says the partnership will strengthen care across the region. “Our hospital grew fast in recent years,” he notes. “We need more nurses on the floor. This idea helps us build a local talent pipeline. It also brings fresh energy and new ideas into our teams.” Smith expects the first graduates to start work in late 2025.
Students in the pilot cohort say they feel ready and excited. Former teacher Angela Price joined to switch careers. “I love helping kids, but I want to care for people of all ages,” she says. “The labs look great, and the mentors seem top notch. I can see myself working at Memorial Hermann when I finish.” Price plans to graduate with her ADN in December 2025.
Organizers hope the effort can serve as a model statewide. They aim to expand similar programs in Conroe and north Houston. The partners will track outcomes like pass rates, job placements and retention. They plan to report on results at next year’s Texas Nursing Workforce Symposium. If numbers look good, funding bodies may invest more. That could mean more local nurses and stronger care networks.
3-Question FAQ
Q1: Who can apply to the program?
A1: Any high school graduate or GED holder who meets the college’s placement scores in reading, writing and math may apply.
Q2: When do classes start and how long do they run?
A2: The first semester begins January 2025. ADN students can finish in two years; BSN completion takes about 18 months more.
Q3: What support is available for tuition and fees?
A3: A $2 million grant funds new labs and hires. Scholarships of up to $5,000 per year are open to qualified students.
Call to Action
Ready to join the next generation of nurses? Visit LoneStar.edu/WoodlandsNursing or call 936-202-3000 to learn more and apply before October 15. Take the first step toward a rewarding nursing career today!
