The Novant Health Vitals Accelerator (VITALS) program aims to provide guided support to UNCW students preparing for careers in nursing by addressing financial, academic, and personal challenges that may impact their ability to complete their degrees. The program will strengthen the regional healthcare workforce through scholarships, targeted coursework, community engagement opportunities, and professional development. The overarching purpose of the VITALS program is to cultivate nursing and healthcare talent.
Required Program Components*
Cohort size
We will enroll 24 participants for the summer and offer six more seats in the fall to accommodate interest for those who have summer conflicts for total of 30 per cohort.
Summer Prior to First Year
Summer 2: Five-week residential Bridge program
First Year
Fall semester: UNI 101 (VITALS) enrollment
Spring Semester: CHHS 292 enrollment
Summer 1: Weekend Accelerator
Second Year
Summer 1: Weekend Accelerator
*All program components are fully covered by the VITALS scholarship, with no cost to students for participation. Additional scholarships are available for students accepted into the Prelicensure Nursing program. If a student is not admitted to the program, further scholarship review will take place.
Interested? Follow these Next Steps
Step 1: Attend a VITALS information session
3 options (select one): Cohort 3 recruitment begins January 2026.
March 16, 2026 (virtual)
March 28, 2026 (in person at Seahawk Preview Day) Meeting Location: TBD
April 27, 2026 (virtual)
Students, parents and guests are welcome to attend.
Step 2: Complete VITALS application of interest
The Cohort 3 application will open on March 29, 2026 and close on May 1, 2026. The application will be linked here and shared by email.
Step 3: VITALS Cohort Selection and Next Steps
Students will be notified of cohort acceptance by email on Monday, May 11, 2026.
A mandatory virtual cohort meeting will be held on Thursday, May 14, 2026.
Additional information on program and next steps will be provided and shared.
