NOTE: This message was emailed to Ballad Health team members on Tuesday, Feb. 17.
Dear Colleague,
As we’ve explored through the Better Begins With Us journey, excellence isn’t a destination… it’s something we build through daily habits, shared values and a commitment to growth. The same mindset that fuels B Excellent also lives in the many professional development opportunities available to you across Ballad Health. These programs are designed to help you grow your skills, expand your impact, and continue delivering the exceptional care and service that defines our culture.
Over several team member engagement surveys, you told us you wanted more opportunities to learn and grow within Ballad Health, no matter where you are in your career journey, these resources are here to support your growth and future opportunities – because achieving excellence in our work begins with investing in ourselves.
Tuition reimbursement and scholarship opportunities
One of the most impactful ways to grow professionally is through continued education. Ballad Health supports team members pursuing higher education through tuition reimbursement and scholarship opportunities aligned to key organizational needs. Eligible team members may receive up to $2,500 per year in tuition reimbursement, and active RNs with an associate degree may also receive support to pursue a BSN.
Tuition reimbursement applications for programs beginning after July 1, 2026, are open now through Feb. 28, 2026.
In addition, scholarships are available for eligible team members, their family members and community members pursuing initial degrees in approved clinical disciplines. Depending on the program, scholarships may help cover tuition, fees and books, creating pathways for growth into high-demand roles.
For full eligibility details, application timelines, and program information, visit the Tuition Reimbursement and Scholarship Resources page on SharePoint.
Clinical development opportunities
Our Clinical Education department supports growth through hands-on development opportunities, including free CNA, CNA II and Phlebotomy certification programs.
Nurses looking to pursue specialty certification can utilize the Nursing Certifications Resource SharePoint page to prepare for certification exams. Because Ballad Health participates in the ANCC Success Pays Program, certain certifications may be pursued at no cost – including coverage for two exam attempts with no financial obligation if unsuccessful. Team members interested in this opportunity should connect with Sandy Sims for more information and access.
Those pursuing continuing education credits can take advantage of HealthStream’s CE Unlimited library, which offers structured learning paths for several key clinical roles, including medical-surgical RN, pediatrics RN, critical care RN, ambulatory and unlicensed assistive personnel. Team members can access these resources by logging into HealthStream and locating the CE Unlimited banner in the Catalog tab.
Team member, leadership growth opportunities through OD
The Organizational Development (OD) team at Ballad Health offers a variety of growth opportunities to support both team members and leaders as they continue developing professionally.
For team members looking to build valuable workplace skills, OD provides accessible learning options designed to fit into busy schedules. Through HealthStream, team members can take advantage of 5 Minute Skill Builders – short, practical microlearning sessions that cover topics such as Active Listening, Service Recovery, Phone and Email Etiquette, and The Power of First Impressions.
In addition, they are currently piloting monthly on-site training sessions, rotating to different facilities to deliver short, relevant learning experiences directly to team members where they work. These sessions are designed for all team members at the facilities and focus on practical development topics. Upcoming sessions include a visit to Norton Community Hospital on Feb. 23 and Sycamore Shoals in April, both centered on Personality Discovery content. Team members interested in attending can email Sarah Nave for more information.
For those looking to grow into leadership roles or strengthen their effectiveness as leaders, OD offers a Leadership Academy that includes two key programs. The Aspiring Leader Program helps team members who show leadership potential develop foundational leadership skills and prepare for future advancement. The Excellence in Leadership program supports new or newly promoted leaders by providing meaningful education, tools, resources, and networking opportunities to help them succeed in their roles.
Leaders who would benefit from additional support can also explore leadership coaching opportunities through OD. This coaching is designed to help leaders strengthen their effectiveness and navigate challenges, but it is not available as part of a Performance Improvement Plan. Leaders interested in learning more about coaching can reach out to Shannon Hogan or Sarah Nave.
OD also hosts Food for Thought; a monthly one-hour leadership conversation held virtually on the first Thursday of each month. These interactive sessions feature subject matter experts and focus on timely leadership topics such as interviewing skills, mindset shifts, the importance of 1:1 meetings and rounding, and building stronger teams through meaningful recognition.
One of our greatest investments in your professional development is participation in the ongoing content found in B Excellent. Many team members have already acknowledged that these short skill builders have helped them both personally and professionally. If you haven’t come to that conclusion yet, we challenge you to open your mind to the required content like thousands of your peers!
