Huntington Beach, Calif. — The California Community Colleges announced on August 8 the launch of a new initiative to increase the number of nurses to meet the growing needs of California’s aging and diverse population.
Golden West College was one of 12 community colleges that convened in a virtual kick-off of the associate degree for nursing demonstration project led by the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office. The goal of the initiative, part of the community colleges’ Vision 2030 strategic framework, is to increase enrollment in associate degree nursing programs to address the shortage of registered nurses in rural and remote areas while ensuring equity in access to the profession.
“California community colleges offer accessible, flexible, hands-on training that lead to high-wage careers which makes these institutions uniquely positioned to address the state’s healthcare workforce shortage,” said California Community Colleges Chancellor Sonya Christian. “By leveraging the resources and reach of community colleges, California can not only bridge the nursing gap, but also foster equity in healthcare delivery.”
Forthcoming data by the California Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) are expected to show regional nurse shortages. Areas with the greatest gaps include rural areas within the Northern and Sierra regions and are expected to worsen without intervention. This project’s focus will also ensure access to the profession and boost continued supply of RNs in other parts of the state to head off future shortages.
“Nursing shortages have reached a critical point across the state, including in Orange County,” says GWC School of Nursing Director and Associate Dean Alice Martanegara. “Golden West College has already expanded its nursing program to offer affordable and accessible pathways to nursing degrees starting in high school all the way up to a bachelor’s degree in nursing through our Concurrent Enrollment Program partnership with Cal State San Bernardino. We are honored to be selected for this initiative and continue our efforts to meet the growing demands of the healthcare industry.”
The project will establish a statewide blueprint to increase nursing associate degree production with an emphasis on collaboration with regulatory and employer partners. It will also focus on supporting incumbent workers by developing flexible pathways that facilitate their entry into nursing programs.
The pilot program will involve a multifaceted set of key strategies designed to expand associate degree nursing program capacities across all community colleges, including:
The 12 colleges participating in the demonstration project are: Butte College, Cabrillo College, Monterey Peninsula College, Bakersfield College, Modesto Junior College, Cuesta College, Ventura College, Golden West College, Saddleback College, Mt. San Jacinto College, Riverside City College, and College of the Desert.
