The Bruno and Evelyne Betti Foundation Nursing Apprentice Fellowship

The St. John’s United Nursing Apprentice Fellowship program was launched in June, 2020. The purpose of the program is to provide nursing school tuition assistance and career applicable employment to students pursuing their LPN or RN degrees.

This program is a collaborative venture between St. John’s United and the Montana Youth Apprenticeship Partnership (MYAP), which seeks to increase opportunities for Montana’s young people to prepare for in-demand careers through the development and expansion of youth apprenticeship program models.

Purpose

St. John’s United Nursing Apprentice Fellowship is a program designed to provide a path for a debt free education and career applicable employment while nursing students pursue their LPN or RN degrees.

What is a St. John’s United Apprentice Fellow?

St. John’s United Nursing Apprentice Fellows are exceptional students pre-selected to demonstrate that they have a high likelihood to become nurses. There are generally four fellowships awarded each year. An Apprentice Fellow is offered practical paid experience at St. John’s United as a Certified Nursing Assistant while pursuing a nursing degree.

Fellows must…

  • Be a full-time Billings junior or senior high school student or a college student enrolled with at least six credits at Montana State University, Miles Community College or Northwest College, Powell. Other accredited colleges may qualify.
  • (If in college) show proof of enrollment and be accepted as a nursing student within 18 months of being accepted as a Fellow.
  • Be or become an employee of St. John’s United in good standing.
  • Commit to at least 540 hours of annual paid practical experience, but may not work more than five shifts per week.
  • Complete and accept the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) each academic year.
  • Complete the educational institution’s common application for scholarships, if applicable.
  • Accept all non-loan related financial aid offers from school.
  • Must maintain grades of C or better in all classes and maintain an average of a 3.0 grade point average.

Fellows are responsible for Books and Living expenses.

Applicant Apprentice Fellows

  • Applicant Apprentice Fellows must complete a St. John’s United Fellowship application and essay by April 17th.
  • Selected applicants will interview with the Apprentice Fellowship Selection Committee.

Apprentice Fellowship Award

  • Apprentice Fellows will receive six (6) tuition points for every practical hour worked at St. John’s United as a Certified Nursing Assistant, not to exceed 8,000 points per year.
  • Tuition Points:
    • An Apprentice Fellow’s accumulated points may be redeemed if the following occurs,
      documented by a validated tuition credit check list.
      • Submission of FAFSA for the tuition applicable year.
      • Provide a copy of financial award letter.
      • Acceptance of all non-loan financial aid.
      • Accepted into nursing program or enrolled in pre-requisite courses.
      • Maintain academic performance and minimum requirements.
      • Currently employed in good standing.
      • Worked a minimum of 540 hours in past 365 days since date of acceptance.
    • Points converted (1 points = $1.00) will be paid directly to the students’ school of higher
      education for current balance minus non-tuition charges (room, board, fees, books, etc.)
    • Unused tuition points may roll over for one year.
  • After Graduation:
    • After academic requirements are completed, points stop accumulating. Apprentice Fellows, in good employment standing, however, may continue to work as a CNA, if not yet licensed as a nurse.
  • After Nursing Licensure: Apprentice Fellowship and employment ends. There are no further requirements by St. John’s United.
    • Apprentice Fellows may apply for any available position at St. John’s United for which they are qualified to work.
    • Employed Licensed Graduate Fellows may choose to use any unused points to apply toward the pursuit of an LPN to RN or an RN to BSN. This declaration must be within one year of initial graduation.
    • OR
    • Employed Licensed Graduate Fellows may redeem unused points to pay school loan (minimum) payments for no longer than 24 months from licensure or when points are exhausted, whichever comes first.

Unused points will not be paid out as regular wages or bonuses to Apprentice Fellows.

Nursing Apprentice Fellowship Application

Interested candidates please fill out the application below.

After the application has been submitted, the following materials are required in order to be considered:

  • A one-page essay describing why you desire to be a St. John’s United Nursing Apprentice Fellow
  • One academic letter of recommendation
  • One letter of recommendation from a non-related family member
  • Your school transcript

Please mail these documents to:

St. John’s United
Human Resources
2429 Mission Way
Billings, MT 59102

The application may also be printed and submitted with the above documents. For any questions or assistance, feel free to reach out. We look forward to reviewing your full application! Application deadline is April 17th.