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Nursing Education Initiative. Presented by the Labor and Workforce Development Agency.
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Nursing Education Initiative Presented by the Labor and Workforce Development Agency
“Nurses are people of compassion and courage. Their profession is a labor of love and without them we simply could not deliver quality care for patients. California is facing a severe nursing shortage and it is absolutely critical that we open up the nursing profession to everyone who has the passion and potential.” • Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger April 13, 2005
Nursing Education Initiative • The Problem • The Task Force • The Solution
Nursing Education InitiativeThe Problem California’s major challenge is to expand educational capacity in nursing programs • California needs at least 9,000 RNs annually, but our nursing programs only graduate close to 6,000 nurses per year • Nursing programs are at capacity, and an average of 40 percent of applicants are denied admission each year • A lack of clinical lab space, classrooms and qualified faculty contribute to the limited educational capacity
Nursing Education InitiativeThe Problem Like all other regions in California, the San Joaquin Valley faces a nursing shortage • The San Joaquin Valley has an estimated 900 to 1,000 RN job openings per year (EDD projection) • The RN employment growth rate in some parts of the region is higher than the State’s average: • Madera County: 82.2% • Fresno County: 42.8%
Nursing Education InitiativeThe Task Force The Governor created an on-going Taskforce to oversee implementation of the Nurse Education Initiative. The Taskforce consists of: • Secretary, Health & Human Services • Secretary, Labor & Workforce Development • Secretary, State & Consumer Services • Secretary, Veterans Affairs • Secretary, Education • President, University of CA System • Chancellor, CA State University System • Chancellor, CA Community Colleges • Department of Finance
Nursing Education InitiativeThe Solution The Governor’s Nursing Education Initiative • Help colleges and universities expand educational capacity • Recruit more qualified instructors • Develop new avenues to nursing careers • Seek additional funds for nurse education from the federal government and other funding sources
Nursing Education InitiativeThe Solution 1.Expand Educational Capacity • $90 million project to expand capacity in Community Colleges • 19 grants awarded statewide • Yield an estimated 2,400 nurses after 5 years • Allocated funds to expand Masters and Bachelors programs at CSU and UC • At least 440 new enrollment slots created
Nursing Education InitiativeThe Solution 1.Expand Educational Capacity • Creating three clinical simulation labs in rural areas of California • Allocated $13.2 million in Workforce Investment Act funds to support local nursing education efforts
Nursing Education InitiativeThe Solution 2.Recruit Nursing Faculty • The Administration created a loan forgiveness program for nursing students committed to teaching • Masters of Science in Nursing and PhD students will be eligible for up to $25,000 in loan forgiveness if they agree to teach in a California nursing program
Nursing Education InitiativeThe Solution 4.Develop new avenues to nursing careers • The Administration is developing a plan to expand Nursing Career Academies in high schools • Curriculum will have a strong math and science focus • Job shadowing and career counseling will be offered
Nursing Education InitiativeThe Solution 5.Seek additional funding sources • Many of the projects underway are funded creatively through public-private partnerships • Administration leaders are seeking additional funds for nursing education from the federal government and private foundations
Nursing Education Initiative The Solution Future Action • Create a statewide nursing faculty recruitment and retention program • Develop regional clinical registries to match students with available clinical placements • Transition veterans into the nursing profession • Continue to create and expand new nursing programs
Nurse Education Initiative For further information, contact: Kate Tansey Labor and Workforce Development Agency (916) 327-9064 kate.tansey@labor.ca.gov