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Nursing Apprenticeships

Nursing apprenticeships provide participants the ability to work and receive pay while advancing their learning. The Practical Nursing Apprenticeship is three semesters in length and the Associate Degree Nursing Apprenticeship is five semesters in length. Below are guidelines regarding the nursing apprenticeships:

  • Must be an active, current student of Drake State’s nursing program.
  • Submit a Drake State nursing program application during appropriate application periods as listed under item 10.
  • Students accepted into a Drake State Nursing Program are provided the opportunity to submit an apprenticeship application. Applications are provided at an orientation prior to the start of nursing courses.
  • A list of students who meet the minimum qualifications for apprenticeship is given to participating healthcare facilities.
  • From that list, participating healthcare facilities select and hire apprentices, based on the number of open positions they have available. Current employees may be selected for the apprenticeship. All apprentices must sign an apprenticeship agreement.
  • Student apprentices must commit to working for on-the-job learning at the healthcare facility for the entirety of the nursing program. Included in working days are clinical days students are performing for nursing program clinical requirements.
  • Student apprentices must apply to the Alabama Board of Nursing for an apprentice permit.
  • Student apprentices are not paid for on-campus classes, labs, or simulation. Student apprentices are paid for clinical hours, not including simulation.
  • Student apprentices will work one on one with a registered nurse from the healthcare facility. Students will be held accountable to the same clinical requirements as non-apprentice students in the program.
  • Nursing applications are posted on the Drake State website.

Application Deadlines

Option Semester of enrollment Application deadline
Option : Practical Nursing
Semester of enrollment : Fall
Application deadline: April 15
Option : Practical Nursing
Semester of enrollment : Spring
Application deadline: September 15
Option : Registered Nursing
Semester of enrollment : Summer
Application deadline: January 15
Option : Registered Nursing
Semester of enrollment : Fall
Application deadline: April 15
Option : Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) to Registered Nursing (RN) Mobility
Semester of enrollment : Spring
Application deadline: September 15

Non-Discrimination Policy

The sponsor will not discriminate due to race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, or age over 40 years. The sponsor will take affirmative action to provide equal opportunity in the apprenticeship and will operate the apprenticeship program as required under title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations, part 30. Right to Equal Opportunity: It is against the law for a sponsor of an apprenticeship program registered for Federal purposes to discriminate an apprenticeship applicant or apprentice based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age (40 years or older), genetic information, or disability. The sponsor must ensure equal opportunity with regard to all terms, conditions, and privileges associated with apprenticeship. If you think that you have been subjected to discrimination, you may file a complaint within 300 days from the date of the alleged discrimination or failure to follow the equal opportunity standards with Josh Laney with the Alabama Office of Apprenticeship located at One Technology Court, Montgomery, Alabama 36116. 334-280-4414, info@alapprentice.org. You may also be able to file complaints directly with the EECO, or State fair employment practices agency. If those offices have jurisdiction over the sponsor/employer, their contact information is listed below. The EEOC can be reached at 1-800-669-4000.