Internships/Education

Offers career development opportunities for entry-level staff who aspire to enter health professions. SAW uses the classroom, Internet and DVD technology to prepare team members to enroll in local certificate and degree programs.

Assesses the learning needs of the organization and sponsors development opportunities to meet those needs. Courses are offered in a variety of methodologies including: Instructor-led, NetLearning (computer-based learning), video on-demand (library of on-demand videos) and on-site medical libraries. WellStar also offers tuition reimbursement, scholarships and other programs and services to assist employees in maintaining and enhancing their competencies and skills in their current role while pursuing their career goals.

In partnership with Cobb County Adult Education, WellStar offers team members opportunities to participate in on-site courses designed to develop skills in reading, writing, math, language and workforce readiness. Classes are provided at no cost to team members, but regular attendance and progress are monitored to assure that students are meeting the requirements necessary to achieve their goals.

Team members who wish to obtain their GED (high school equivalency) may take classes to prepare for the test. Additionally, individuals who need a review of basic skills can opt to take this course. Courses are interactive and individualized to meet student needs.

Prepare team members who are speakers of other languages to communicate in English successfully in the workplace. The class focuses primarily on mastering English through different levels of communication skills. Students are placed in classes following an assessment. Promotion from level to level is determined by ongoing progress checks and additional assessment measures.

WellStar’s educational assistance benefit was upgraded on July 1, 2010, to allow for an increased, single calendar-year maximum reimbursement of $4,000 for full-time and $2,500 for eligible part-time employees. Reimbursement will count as educational assistance for courses leading to:

• A high school diploma and/or GED equivalent
• A formal degree plan leading to an undergraduate degree

Note: Graduate degree assistance also has been increased to a single-calendar year maximum of $4,500 for full-time, or $2,500 for eligible part-time employees.

The WellStar School of Nursing and the WellStar College of Health & Human Services exists to increase the number of nurses in our community. In collaboration with KSU, Bachelor of Science nursing degree (BSN) students spend six to eight weeks each semester engaged in hands-on training at WellStar facilities.

Nursing students from the following institutions also engage in clinical rotations at WellStar:

• Kennesaw State University
• Georgia Highlands College
• Chattahoochee Technical College
• North Georgia College and State University
• University of West Georgia
• Georgia State University

In Fiscal Year 2009, nearly 600 nursing students from many post-secondary programs were placed at WellStar facilities for clinical rotations, adding up to more than 60,000 clinical hours.

The WellStar Scholars Educational Loan Program pays costs related to tuition, required books, uniforms and supplies. The loan amount is forgiven over a period of time based on a work commitment agreement within one of the WellStar hospitals.

The WellStar Educational Scholarship Program provides funds without work commitment agreements. Through the WellStar Foundation Scholarship endowment fund, $28,000 was awarded during Fiscal Year 2009.