What is Classroom to Careers?

Not only does the Classroom to Careers program help students, but it also benefits the community and the hospital itself.

Classroom to Careers is an opportunity for students in their final year of college to receive additional financial aid and a career immediately after graduation. Ivinson selects students through and application process online. The Ivinson Memorial Hospital Foundation contributes the funds that make Classroom to Careers possible, providing associate’s degree students with $5,000 and a two-year commitment to the hospital. For bachelor’s degree students, the program offers $10,000 and a three-year commitment to Ivinson.

Degrees supported by the Classroom to Careers program include nursing (ADN & BSN), medical laboratory sciences (MLT & MLS), radiography, sonography and respiratory therapy.

Ivinson has been helping students with this program for two years, with plans to continue supporting students in earning their degrees. Since the program began, Classroom to Careers has helped students start careers in lab services, radiology and nursing.

“The Classroom to Careers program has completely transformed my journey from student to Medical Laboratory Technician,” says Estrella Bandin-Martinez, a Classroom to Careers student. ​“The hands-on experience I gained during my clinicals at Ivinson Memorial Hospital not only sharpened my skills, but also gave me the confidence to step into my role with pride.”

Estrella started the Classroom to Careers program in 2021 in her final year of school at Casper College, pursuing a medical laboratory technician certification. The science of how things work and the desire to help others have always been passions for Estrella. Those interests are what inspired her to become a medical laboratory technician, a job that is a perfect combination between the technical sciences and compassionate healthcare.

In May of 2022, Estrella joined the Ivinson team full-time. The Classroom to Careers program allowed Estrella to stay in her community of choice instead of being forced to move away to find work. ​“I decided to stay here in Laramie because it’s home to me, and I love the community feel. What makes it great, though, is the people I work with. It just makes work a lot more enjoyable when you’re part of a team like that,” Estrella said.

“What makes this even more remarkable is the incredible opportunity to continue working with Ivinson after my clinicals. This program didn’t just prepare me for a job, it gave me a chance to build a future and to be a part of something bigger.”

The program benefits more than just the students. ​“The Classroom to Careers program has been invaluable in helping Ivinson identify nurses who are committed to staying in Laramie,” said Mary Ponce, chief nursing officer at Ivinson. ​“Ivinson benefits from a reliable pathway to graduating nurses, ensuring a steady stream of talented professionals joining our team. It’s truly a win-win for both the organization and the nurses, and we are deeply grateful for this collaboration.”

Classroom to Careers allows Ivinson to fulfill our needed for staffing, as well as assisting students acquire their degrees and pursue their dream jobs.

The average yearly tuition for a nursing major is $12,000[1]. While financial aid is relatively plentiful in the early years of college, it can slowly diminish over time, according to Associated Press[2]. Classroom to Careers provides students with the training and financial support they need in their last year to complete their degrees.

[1] How Much Does Nursing School Cost? (2023)

[2] Why your financial aid may plummet after freshman year | AP News