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

• 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

California’s major challenge is to expand educational capacity in nursing programs

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

1. Help colleges and universities expand educational capacity

2. Recruit more qualified instructors

3. Develop new avenues to nursing careers

4. Seek additional funds for nurse education from the federal government and other funding sources

Nursing Education InitiativeThe Solution

The Governor’s Nursing Education Initiative

• $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

1. Expand Educational Capacity

• 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

2. Recruit Nursing Faculty

• 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

4. Develop new avenues to nursing careers

• 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 InitiativeThe Solution

5. Seek additional funding sources

Nursing Education Initiative

• 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

Future Action

The Solution

Nurse Education Initiative

For further information, contact:

Kate Tansey

Labor and Workforce Development Agency

(916) 327-9064

kate.tansey@labor.ca.gov