Modesto Junior College Allied Health Building

New Initiative will focus on Career Ladders for Incumbent Workers and Increase Access to Nursing Professions for Individuals from Underserved Communities

August 9, 2024 - SACRAMENTO, Calif. — On Thursday, the California Community Colleges announced the launch of a new initiative to increase the number of nurses to meet the growing needs of California’s aging and diverse population.

Twelve community colleges 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.

“This project will leverage the results of HCAI’s supply and demand models to make evidence-based decisions about where to expand nursing programs. No single institution can solve California’s health workforce challenges, but with a shared vision and evidence to guide us, HCAI, California Community Colleges and our many other critical partners can start to make concerted progress toward meaningful change,” said Libby Abbott, deputy director for HCAI Health Workforce.

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.

“Our shared mission with the California Community Colleges Chancellor is to empower incumbent workers to advance into higher wage clinical roles and ensure Californians have equitable access to care providers that represent our communities. Our members, 70% of whom are workers of color, will benefit from this initiative's emphasis on developing accessible pathways into nursing,” said Rebecca Hanson, Executive Director, The Education Fund for the associated degree for nursing demonstration project.

The pilot program will involve a multifaceted set of key strategies designed to expand associate degree nursing program capacities across all community colleges, including:

• Integration of simulation labs to enhance hands-on learning experiences.
• Strategic scheduling processes to accommodate diverse student needs, including accelerated and fast-track programs, year-round schedules and admission timelines and evening cohorts.
• Increase in night rotations to provide flexible clinical experiences.
• Increase in hospital-based faculty members to expand program capacity and enrich educational experience for students.

During this demonstration project, colleges will be eligible to enroll on a rolling basis, with the next cohort starting in spring 2025 and new cohorts added each subsequent fall and spring semester.

“The Labor and Workforce Development Agency is proud to partner with California’s community colleges on this important effort to recruit, train and graduate more nurses than ever before,” said Labor and Workforce Development Agency Secretary Stewart Knox. “California’s community colleges have the resources and capacity to help Californians reach their career goals and find good jobs – like nursing – that are in very high demand.”

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.

The California Community Colleges is the largest system of higher education in the nation, composed of 73 districts and 116 colleges serving 1.9 million students per year. California community colleges provide career education and workforce training; guaranteed transfer to four-year universities; and degree and certificate pathways. As the state’s engine for social and economic mobility, the California Community Colleges supports the Vision 2030, a strategic plan designed to improve student success, our communities and our planet. For more information, please visit the California Community Colleges website or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and X (Formerly Twitter).
Source: California Community Colleges