Arizona College of Nursing tells the story of Icencia Noël, a nursing student at its Hartford, Connecticut campus whose path into nursing began at age 12, when a hospital stay for what turned out to be asthma introduced her to a nurse who made her feel safe and cared for.
Fourteen years later, the partnership between Scholars Network and Arizona College of Nursing has given Icencia a clear next step. After graduation, she will join UNC Health Wayne in North Carolina, which will provide $40,000 in loan repayment.
A partnership built for new nurses
Scholars Network and Arizona College of Nursing launched their partnership in April 2026 to address the national nursing shortage. The program connects graduates with employers that offer structured career pathways, guaranteed job opportunities, and employer-funded loan repayment, with the goals of reducing early-career turnover, easing financial strain on new nurses, and improving long-term workforce stability.
The partnership initially serves Arizona College of Nursing students at its Cincinnati and Cleveland, Ohio; Falls Church, Virginia; and Hartford, Connecticut campuses.
Leaders from Noodle, Arizona College of Nursing, and UNC Health Wayne describe the program as a way to add value for students beyond graduation, grow North Carolina's nursing workforce, and reduce the costs that come with turnover, contract labor, and onboarding.
Icencia plans to become an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse specializing in neonatal intensive care.