EPIC Pathways Program at UMSN Transforms Lives
The University of Michigan School of Nursing (UMSN) is creating new pathways and building futures through its EPIC Pathways: Nursing Scholars Program. Led by Rushika Patel, Ph.D., M.Ed., assistant dean for strategic education, this impactful initiative empowers students from Michigan community colleges to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree at UMSN.
The Journey Towards Realization
The journey to actualize the EPIC Pathways program began with a significant grant submission. With this funding, UMSN was poised to embark on a transformative path. "This was absolutely a priority of Dean Patricia Hurn—a project that really compelled her heart," Dr. Patel noted. "She pulled me in, she pulled in others to help move it forward, but she really is the leader of it and the person who wanted to see this happen."
Since its inception in 2020, amid the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the EPIC Pathways program has grown significantly thanks to additional financial backing. Recently, the program received a boost from the Bedford Falls Foundation-DAF, which granted $2 million over four years.
The Vision and Goals are… EPIC
The program strives to increase the number of nurses who are committed to addressing health needs for everyone. "The EPIC Pathways program is really for students who want to be nurses but experience financial challenges on their pathway," said Dr. Patel.
At its core, the program seeks to achieve two primary goals: addressing the critical nurse shortage by graduating more skilled and compassionate nurses; and making nursing education financially accessible to students and families who might otherwise be unable to pursue a nursing degree.
"The students who receive a scholarship have so much character, integrity, and motivation," said Dr. Patel, highlighting the resilience of students in the program. “We need more nurses in this country, but going to college to become a nurse can be expensive... and a lot of students and families don't have the necessary financial resources."
Support and Resources
The EPIC Pathways program plans to support at least 254 students over the project period, prioritizing students with the highest unmet financial need and ensuring that those who require the most support receive the necessary resources to succeed. But the support goes beyond financial aid. The program offers a holistic suite of resources designed to foster academic excellence, personal growth, and professional development. These resources include:
- Learning Circles and Tutoring: Initiatives like science learning circles and peer or faculty tutoring sessions are available for challenging courses, helping students excel academically.
- Skills Workshops: Regular academic skills workshops cover vital topics such as test-taking strategies, note-taking, anxiety reduction, and financial management.
- Personalized Mentoring: Individualized guidance and support are available to ensure that every scholar receives tailored assistance.
Karrar Hamoudi is a senior nursing student set to graduate in May 2025, and he summarized his experience as an EPIC Pathways scholar with an example: "A man walking in the scorching hot desert for miles and miles yearns for nothing but a refreshing drink of water. EPIC Pathways feels like that refreshing drink of water for nursing students."
Karrar emphasized how the program has helped him pay for books and transport, and allowed him to reduce work hours to focus on his studies. "I think I would be struggling a lot. This has lessened financial stress during school and has helped me feel more confident about making it to graduation.”
Promising Outcomes and Future Aspirations
The EPIC Pathways program has shown a remarkable trend of success, with graduation rates increasing from 89% in Fall 2022 to an impressive 97% in Winter 2023. This upward trend continued with a 90.7% pass rate in Fall 2023, culminating in a remarkable 98.5% pass rate by Winter 2024.
"Our students are doing amazing. We’re losing very few students, and very few are failing courses. It’s been like this for the past three years. The outcomes have been phenomenal,” Dr. Patel shared.
Looking ahead, the ambition remains to expand and fortify the program further. Patel emphasizes the ongoing challenge of increasing funding and opportunities, noting that the ultimate objective is to produce compassionate, well-trained nurses who can meet the growing health care needs across the nation.
"This program is not about any one person," Dr. Patel emphasized. "It's about our shared values and the entire community coming together.”
