Celebrating Student Success in the Work Learning Program
After the spring semester ended, BH WELL hosted celebrations for the students in Eastern State Hospital’s Work Learning Program (WLP). Hosted on the units where the student employees work, the end-of-semester celebrations brought together WLP participants and their colleagues to recognize the hard work and dedication of their peers who work hard on the unit as Mental Health Assistants (MHAs) and off the unit as students.
The Work Learning Program is a central component of an academic-practice partnership between Eastern State Hospital (ESH), UK HealthCare, the UK College of Nursing, the UK College of Social Work, and the University of Kentucky. This partnership exemplifies a growing commitment to investing in behavioral health professionals by offering pathways for continued education and career advancement while working in clinical settings.
The WLP provides a range of evidence-based academic supports for ESH employees admitted into the program. These include access to a dedicated study room, paid study hours, peer tutoring, and group bonding activities that help foster a sense of community and shared purpose. This cohort of students is the first cohort of MHAs who are pursuing nursing programs to become Registered Nurses (RNs).
The end of semester celebrations gave student employees a chance to enjoy refreshments with their colleagues who are cheering them on to success. With a focus on lifelong learning and workforce development, the WLP continues to embody the spirit of collaboration at the heart of academic-practice partnerships.
As the next semester approaches, BH WELL and the ESH community look forward to supporting these students and others —reminded once again that investment in education is an investment in compassionate, high-quality care.
Interested in joining the WLP? Find more info on our website at https://bhwell.uky.edu/programs/academic-practice-partnership/work-learning-program. Reach out to the WLP Coordinator, Kylie Pemberton, at kylie.pemberton@uky.edu to discuss what it could look like to join the program!