(PUEBLO, Colo.) — Pueblo Community College (PCC) is partnering with UCHealth to provide no-cost nursing degrees to employees at UCHealth Parkview.

Through the Ascend Career Program, UCHealth Parkview employees will be able to enroll in PCC’s associate degree program in nursing, with UCHealth covering the cost of tuition, books, and other fees.

According to UCHealth, Parkview currently has 122 employees getting assistance through the Ascend program as they pursue various educational fields.

“This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to empowering aspiring health professionals,” said Cheryl Gomez, PCC’s dean of medical and behavioral health. “We are thrilled to be a part of a program that supports people in this community with the education, training, and support they need to thrive. Through PCC’s rigorous nursing curriculum, state-of-the-art simulation experiences, and dedicated faculty mentorship, Ascend participants will be guided along a strong pathway to becoming skilled, community-rooted nurses.”

PCC said the college and Parkview are longtime community partners, with the hospital providing different forms of support for several of the college’s health programs.

“Investing in nursing education is not just about filling jobs, it’s about building healthier communities,” said Noreen Bernard, chief nursing officer at UCHealth Parkview. “When we encourage local students and community members to pursue careers in health care and support them through their education, we’re creating a pipeline of skilled, compassionate professionals who are more likely to stay and serve in the communities they call home. That’s how we strengthen both the workforce of Pueblo and the future of local care.”