News
Fruita Hospital’s Bold Nurse Training Plan Is Quietly Fixing a National Problem
<p class="" data-start="83" data-end="259">A rural Colorado hospital turned a post-pandemic staffing crisis into a model for the future of healthcare — and they’re doing it with local grit and old-school apprenticeship.</p>
<p class="" data-start="266" data-end="520">Just a year ago, Family Health West in Fruita, Colorado was like a lot of hospitals in the U.S. — low on nurses, high on burnout, and unsure how to fix either. But something’s changed. Fast forward to now, and they’ve got more staff than roles to fill.</p>
<p class="" data-start="522" data-end="648">The turnaround wasn’t magic. It was a bold decision to bet on their own people — and it’s working better than anyone expected.</p>
<h2 class="" data-start="650" data-end="684">A growing crisis in plain sight</h2>
<p class="" data-start="686" data-end="761">The U.S. nursing shortage isn’t a future problem. It’s here. And it’s ugly.</p>
<p class="" data-start="763" data-end="1018">A 2025 labor report from Mercer predicts <strong data-start="804" data-end="845">over 10,000 unfilled RN roles by 2026</strong>. Hospitals big and small are already feeling it — longer patient wait times, fewer available procedures, and stressed-out teams holding everything together with sheer will.</p>
<p class="" data-start="1020" data-end="1233">Fruita’s Family Health West wasn’t spared.<br data-start="1062" data-end="1065" />“We saw a lot of turnover,” said Dr. Korrey Klein, President and CEO. “Coming out of COVID, some left healthcare entirely. Others moved away. The numbers dropped fast.”</p>
<p class="" data-start="1235" data-end="1263">And yet — they didn’t panic.</p>
<p data-start="1235" data-end="1263"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-11685" src="https://budgyapp.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/family-health-west-hospital-nurse-training-classroom-colorado.jpg" alt="family health west hospital nurse training classroom colorado" width="775" height="422" /></p>
<h2 class="" data-start="1265" data-end="1290">From crisis to concept</h2>
<p class="" data-start="1292" data-end="1407">Instead of scrambling to recruit from elsewhere, Klein and HR Vice President Kimber Barnes took a hard look inward.</p>
<p class="" data-start="1409" data-end="1520">“We knew we had local talent,” Klein said. “The question was, how do we help them grow into the roles we need?”</p>
<p class="" data-start="1522" data-end="1561">So they started sketching out a plan.</p>
<p class="" data-start="1563" data-end="1655">It wasn’t just a training course. It was something bigger. They began pulling in partners:</p>
<ul data-start="1656" data-end="1788">
<li class="" data-start="1656" data-end="1684">
<p class="" data-start="1658" data-end="1684">Colorado Mesa University</p>
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<li class="" data-start="1685" data-end="1716">
<p class="" data-start="1687" data-end="1716">Western Healthcare Alliance</p>
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<li class="" data-start="1717" data-end="1750">
<p class="" data-start="1719" data-end="1750">Colorado Hospital Association</p>
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<li class="" data-start="1751" data-end="1788">
<p class="" data-start="1753" data-end="1788">Health Career Advancement Program</p>
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</ul>
<p class="" data-start="1790" data-end="1882">With those connections and a few critical grants, their <strong data-start="1846" data-end="1872">Nurse Training Program</strong> was born.</p>
<h2 class="" data-start="1884" data-end="1908">How it actually works</h2>
<p class="" data-start="1910" data-end="1996">Here’s where things get interesting — because this isn’t your typical classroom setup.</p>
<p class="" data-start="1998" data-end="2039">People from all walks of life can join:</p>
<ul data-start="2040" data-end="2126">
<li class="" data-start="2040" data-end="2066">
<p class="" data-start="2042" data-end="2066">Current hospital staff</p>
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<li class="" data-start="2067" data-end="2085">
<p class="" data-start="2069" data-end="2085">Local students</p>
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<li class="" data-start="2086" data-end="2126">
<p class="" data-start="2088" data-end="2126">Folks thinking about a career switch</p>
</li>
</ul>
<p class="" data-start="2128" data-end="2398">They sign on as apprentices. Family Health West covers the cost of their education. In return, apprentices commit to doing the coursework — usually online — outside their regular work shifts. While they’re learning, they’re also earning a paycheck on the hospital floor.</p>
<p class="" data-start="2400" data-end="2425">Simple idea. Huge payoff.</p>
<h2 class="" data-start="2427" data-end="2452">Why it’s catching fire</h2>
<p class="" data-start="2454" data-end="2614">Barnes said they designed it to be flexible. Some folks take online classes. Others prefer in-person. Some already work in the hospital. Others are totally new.</p>
<p class="" data-start="2616" data-end="2652">Whatever their background, it works.</p>
<p class="" data-start="2654" data-end="2774">“Before we started the program, we had <strong data-start="2693" data-end="2712">80 job openings</strong>,” Klein said. “Last fall, we had 12. It’s a huge difference.”</p>
<p class="" data-start="2776" data-end="2880">One sentence worth pausing on:<br data-start="2806" data-end="2809" /><strong data-start="2809" data-end="2867">“We went from staff shortage to almost staff surplus,”</strong> Klein added.</p>
<h2 class="" data-start="2882" data-end="2920">Unexpected wins inside the hospital</h2>
<p class="" data-start="2922" data-end="3043">Here’s what they didn’t expect: how much the program would shake things up — in a good way — inside their existing staff.</p>
<p class="" data-start="3045" data-end="3142">Some of their longtime employees, the ones who’d been around the block, started getting inspired.</p>
<p class="" data-start="3144" data-end="3255">“They’ve been reinvigorated,” Klein explained. “They’re mentoring. Sharing knowledge. You can feel the energy.”</p>
<p class="" data-start="3257" data-end="3312">It’s a culture shift. Not top-down. More… contagious.</p>
<p class="" data-start="3314" data-end="3390">It’s not just filling gaps — it’s changing how people feel about their jobs.</p>
<h2 class="" data-start="3392" data-end="3419">Why it’s working so well</h2>
<p class="" data-start="3421" data-end="3473">So what’s the magic sauce? Barnes thinks it’s trust.</p>
<p class="" data-start="3475" data-end="3571">“You have to believe your current staff and your community can rise to the challenge,” she said.</p>
<p class="" data-start="3573" data-end="3648">She also points to the program’s sky-high <strong data-start="3615" data-end="3633">retention rate</strong> — nearly 100%.</p>
<p class="" data-start="3650" data-end="3752">And here&#8217;s where things get real interesting: Barnes believes this approach could go beyond hospitals.</p>
<h2 class="" data-start="3754" data-end="3782">Is this model repeatable?</h2>
<p class="" data-start="3784" data-end="3865">Barnes isn’t shy about her hopes. She sees something big in what they’ve started.</p>
<p class="" data-start="3867" data-end="3957">“This could be the future,” she said. “Healthcare. Trades. Manufacturing. Doesn’t matter.”</p>
<p class="" data-start="3959" data-end="3986">All it takes, she said, is:</p>
<ul data-start="3987" data-end="4152">
<li class="" data-start="3987" data-end="4048">
<p class="" data-start="3989" data-end="4048">A few experienced employees willing to share their skills</p>
</li>
<li class="" data-start="4049" data-end="4098">
<p class="" data-start="4051" data-end="4098">A structure that supports learning on the job</p>
</li>
<li class="" data-start="4099" data-end="4152">
<p class="" data-start="4101" data-end="4152">Some financial backing to cover educational costs</p>
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</ul>
<p class="" data-start="4154" data-end="4237">And maybe one more thing — a belief that people want to grow when given the chance.</p>
<h2 class="" data-start="4239" data-end="4266">What the numbers tell us</h2>
<p class="" data-start="4268" data-end="4357">The impact is showing up fast. Here’s a look at how things shifted at Family Health West:</p>
<div class="pointer-events-none relative left-[50%] flex w-[100cqw] translate-x-[-50%] justify-center *:pointer-events-auto">
<div class="tableContainer horzScrollShadows">
<table class="min-w-full" data-start="4359" data-end="4737">
<thead data-start="4359" data-end="4452">
<tr data-start="4359" data-end="4452">
<th data-start="4359" data-end="4375">Year</th>
<th data-start="4375" data-end="4405">Job Openings Before Program</th>
<th data-start="4405" data-end="4434">Job Openings After Program</th>
<th data-start="4434" data-end="4452">Retention Rate</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody data-start="4548" data-end="4737">
<tr data-start="4548" data-end="4642">
<td class="max-w-[calc(var(--thread-content-max-width)*2/3)]" data-start="4548" data-end="4564">2023 (Pre)</td>
<td class="max-w-[calc(var(--thread-content-max-width)*2/3)]" data-start="4564" data-end="4594">80</td>
<td class="max-w-[calc(var(--thread-content-max-width)*2/3)]" data-start="4594" data-end="4624">—</td>
<td class="max-w-[calc(var(--thread-content-max-width)*2/3)]" data-start="4624" data-end="4642">~65%</td>
</tr>
<tr data-start="4643" data-end="4737">
<td class="max-w-[calc(var(--thread-content-max-width)*2/3)]" data-start="4643" data-end="4659">2024 (Post)</td>
<td class="max-w-[calc(var(--thread-content-max-width)*2/3)]" data-start="4659" data-end="4689">—</td>
<td class="max-w-[calc(var(--thread-content-max-width)*2/3)]" data-start="4689" data-end="4719">12</td>
<td class="max-w-[calc(var(--thread-content-max-width)*2/3)]" data-start="4719" data-end="4737">~100%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</div>
<p class="" data-start="4739" data-end="4817">That kind of turnaround doesn’t happen from luck. It’s strategy meeting heart.</p>
<h2 class="" data-start="4819" data-end="4837">What comes next</h2>
<p class="" data-start="4839" data-end="4921">Fruita’s not trying to make headlines. But other hospitals are starting to notice.</p>
<p class="" data-start="4923" data-end="5076">Word’s spreading across Colorado. Klein’s been fielding questions. Other HR teams are asking how they did it. Some are already drafting similar programs.</p>
<p class="" data-start="5078" data-end="5143">But for now, Fruita’s just focused on keeping the momentum going.</p>
<p class="" data-start="5145" data-end="5280">There’s a quiet confidence at Family Health West. Like they know they’ve found something that works — and they’re just getting started.</p>