Scholars Network Rethinks Clinical Recruitment and Retention

Innovative program helps universities grow enrollment and health systems build reliable talent pipelines

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Scholars Network, an initiative operated by Noodle, is partnering with health systems to address staffing shortages and high turnover by integrating employer-sponsored loan repayment and education benefits. The program helps boost enrollment in high-need areas like nursing, while also strengthening recruitment and retention across healthcare workforces.

Why it matters

Staffing shortages continue to strain hospitals and clinics across the country, with the U.S. projected to face a six-figure shortage of registered nurses by 2037. Scholars Network's integrated approach aims to solve this problem by investing in future clinicians early in their academic journeys and supporting current employees through cost-effective education benefits.

The details

Scholars Network secures upstream talent pipelines by offering employer-sponsored loan repayment for students entering healthcare fields. The program also supports current employees through education benefits. This integrated approach helps boost enrollment in high-need areas and strengthens recruitment and retention across partner health systems' workforces. The model has been implemented by a diverse range of healthcare providers, from rural health systems to urban safety net hospitals to large academic health systems.

  • Scholars Network was created to help health systems develop novel ways to invest in talent long before an employee's first day on the job.
  • The Health Resources and Services Administration reports that the United States is projected to face a six-figure shortage of Registered Nurses by 2037.

The players

Scholars Network

An initiative operated by Noodle that partners with health systems to solve recruitment, retention, and upskilling challenges.

Dr. Jessie Tucker

President and CEO of UNC Health Wayne, who said the Scholars Network program will grow North Carolina's nursing workforce while reducing the high costs of turnover, contract labor, and onboarding.

Sam Maron

Founder of Scholars Network.

Deb Raupers

Executive Vice President and Chief Nurse Executive at The Guthrie Clinic, who said the Scholars Network program has helped increase recruitment and achieve 100% retention one year into the program.

Kimberly White

Director of the School of Nursing at West Virginia Wesleyan, who said the Scholars Network program is a significant factor in prospective students' decisions to attend the university.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“This program will grow North Carolina's nursing workforce while reducing the high costs of turnover, contract labor, and onboarding. By creating a reliable pipeline of well-prepared nurses, we're strengthening patient care and ensuring the long-term health of rural hospitals like ours.”

— Dr. Jessie Tucker, President and CEO of UNC Health Wayne

“[We] have been able to increase our recruitment from schools that are participating in these programs...We're filling all of our slots with increased interest growing steadily. We now see interest from organizations that we might never have worked with in the past.... We have [a] very high acceptance rate, and all of these Scholars accepted into our program have gone on and signed their commitments. And I'm pleased to share that we are at 100% retention one year into the program.”

— Deb Raupers, Executive Vice President and Chief Nurse Executive at The Guthrie Clinic (Becker's Healthcare Podcast)

“Scholars Network has helped position West Virginia Wesleyan as a standout choice for prospective students. I recently met with a student who is considering WVWC, and it was clear the program is a significant factor in their decision.”

— Kimberly White, Director, School of Nursing at West Virginia Wesleyan

“I have seen firsthand the challenges our students and graduates face... This innovative program tackles the crisis from both ends — helping students afford nursing school while also ensuring hospitals have the skilled professionals they need.”

— Mary Ellen Glasgow, Dean and Professor at Duquesne University's School of Nursing

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

By building upstream talent pipelines with employer-sponsored loan repayment and cost-effective tuition benefits for current employees, Scholars Network has created an integrated approach that both boosts clinical enrollment in areas of needs and strengthens recruitment and retention across the healthcare workforce.