Careers
Dale Scholar Program
The Dale Scholar Program offers a unique opportunity for nursing students to secure post-graduation employment at Mayo Clinic Health System, the No. 1 employer in Wisconsin according to Forbes, and receive financial awards up to $25,000 that can be used for any purpose, including housing and living expenses or student loan debt.
Dale Scholar Program participants will join a top-tier healthcare organization that is values-driven, committed to providing the safest, highest quality care to our patients, and dedicated to supporting the well-being and advancement of our staff.
Find out more about the Dale Scholar Program:
Requirements
Participants will have completed Viterbo University’s School of Nursing program and be approved for employment at a Mayo Clinic Health System location in the Southwest Wisconsin region, which includes La Crosse, Onalaska, Holmen, Prairie du Chien, Arcadia, Sparta, and Tomah, Wis. and Caledonia, Minn.
Eligibility
The Dale Scholar Program accepts applications from Viterbo University School of Nursing students who are entering the final year of their BSN or MSN program and will be new to the nursing profession.
Scholastic achievement/aptitude
Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.
Employment requirements
Upon graduation, participants must apply for and be hired into a .5 FTE or higher benefit-eligible position at Mayo Clinic Health System in Southwest Wisconsin. Participants must remain an employee in good standing throughout the program. There is an expectation that participants continue their employment with Mayo Clinic Health System for two years following their participation in the Dale Scholar Program.
Application
Interested applicants must complete the online application form. Supplemental documentation may be required to support eligibility for the program, such as transcripts and verification of enrollment for the university. Select applicants will be asked to complete an interview with the selection committee.
Application window
Applications will be accepted starting August 1, 2023, with a submission deadline of August 31, 2023.
Award structure
Amount and duration
Dale Scholar Program participants will receive a $10,000 sign-on bonus with their first paycheck and an additional $15,000 paid over the 3-year program.
Payment
Financial awards will be distributed via the Mayo Clinic Health System payroll system and are subject to applicable taxes.
Refunds
Employment at Mayo Clinic Health System in Southwest Wisconsin is expected to be maintained for the duration of the program. If the participant ends their employment before the end of the program, repayment of the financial awards is expected, with the repayment amount determined based on the length of employment.
Administration
The Dale Scholar Program is administered by the Academic Workforce Development Committee. There will be an annual review to assess the status of the program. Although it intends to continue the Dale Scholar Program indefinitely, Mayo Clinic Health System reserves the right to discontinue or change the program at any time to better accomplish the program’s objectives or meet changing circumstances.
Funding for the Dale Scholar Program is made possible by the generosity of Vernon and Earline Dale through the Vernon F. Dale Charitable Trust. Vernon Dale was an industrialist and entrepreneur who founded several businesses in Western Wisconsin, located primarily on Brice Prairie in the town of Onalaska. During his lifetime, Mr. Dale set up a charitable trust that, upon his death in 1976, began to generate investment earnings in support of 31 charitable organizations, with the largest single beneficiary being Mayo Clinic Health System.
For more information about the Dale Scholar Program, email MCHSSWWIDaleSchol@mayo.edu.
FAQ
How many participants are selected for the program each year?
Up to 10 School of Nursing graduates will be accepted into the program each year.
How will applicants be assessed?
Consideration will be given to educational achievement, community involvement, previous health care experience, and application/interview responses when selecting participants for the program.