REGIONAL UPDATES
Regional Update — HCNCC
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Central Coast Section
Hospitals in San Luis Obispo County have formed a partnership with the Regional Health Occupations Resource Center at Santa Barbara City College and Cuesta College to address the nurse shortage. The partnership currently is developing a nurse-promotion toolkit for implementation in area high schools.
East Bay Section
The East Bay Section of the Hospital Council has established a partnership with the Contra Costa Community College District to address the nurse shortage. After a successful initial meeting with the college, the Hospital Council convened nurse leaders and educators from the hospitals to develop goals for further discussion. The proposed partnership goals are: 1) increase the number of registered nurses (RNs) graduating from the college's nursing programs; 2) share resources to help the college expand its nursing programs; 3) collaborate on local activities to encourage young people to consider a nursing career; and 4) explore opportunities for the college to provide continuing education programs for nurses and advanced training in specialty areas. A final action plan will be developed by the end of 2001.
Fresno/Madera Section
In 1998, hospitals in Fresno and Madera counties formed the Nursing Education Enhancement Partnership with California State University, Fresno (CSUF). Through the continued contribution of hospitals, the partnership has resulted in the restoration of twice-a-year admissions into CSUF's bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) program, increasing annual admissions from 53 students to 106 students.
Hospitals in Fresno and Madera also have formed the Nursing Paradigm Program with Fresno City College. The Paradigm Program offers current hospital employees a condensed nursing program (18 months instead of 24 months) with additional resources, including staff and funding, provided by Fresno City College and the hospitals.
The Hospital Council successfully applied for a $335,000 grant through the State Center Community College District to open a licensed vocational nurse program at Madera Community College in fall 2002.
Kern/Eastern Sierra Section
In January 2000, hospitals in Kern County contributed $134,000 to Bakersfield College, allowing the college to enroll an additional 30 students in its winter 2000 class. Of those students, 27 will graduate in December 2001 with associate degrees in nursing.
Hospitals in Kern County have partnered with the Kern RN Society and the Kern County Superintendent of Schools to create a Registered Nurse Explorer Post through the Boy Scouts of America, Southern Sierra Council, beginning fall 2001. Available to high-school-aged boys and girls, regardless of Scout membership, the Explorer Post includes a full curriculum of programs and activities designed to promote nursing as a career.
Merced, San Joaquin and Stanislaus Counties
Hospital Council members in Stanislaus, San Joaquin and Merced counties are working as partners with CSU Stanislaus toward an expansion of the BSN program, providing additional BSN-educated nurses to the local area. Several hospitals have made significant financial commitments to help make this a reality.
Monterey Bay Section
Health care employers, in collaboration with Cabrillo College, have created the Health Employer Education Partnership (HEEP) to increase the number of qualified people in the health care workforce in Santa Cruz County. The goals of this partnership are: 1) to increase applicants for health education programs through outreach and recruitment to schools and to under-represented populations, especially Hispanics; 2) to expand and diversify the health education programs offered locally; and 3) to increase access to continuing education and career development programs for incumbent employees.
In Monterey County, a coalition of health care providers and community colleges is working to identify the educational needs of the workforce and to establish health academies at local high schools.
North Bay Section
Hospitals in Marin, Napa and Sonoma counties have created a Workforce Taskforce. The taskforce has focused on various retention methods, including sponsoring a session on "best practices" with major hospital consultants; sponsoring a job fair; partnering with the North Bay Job Connection; hosting of a wine and cheese reception for nurses who have left nursing; coordinating programs with local educational institutions; and investigating child-care needs and other issues to retain and attract new employees.
Northern Sierra and Redwood/Mendocino & Lake Sections
In January, the Hospital Council assisted in the organization of a one half-day "nursing shortage forum" in Sacramento. Sixty business, education and health care professionals from throughout Northern California attended the forum sponsored by LEED-Sacramento, Sutter Health and the Regional Health Occupations Resource Center-Butte College. Attendees broke into two workgroups — capacity and recruitment/retention — and brainstormed on ways to address the nurse shortage. At the end of the forum, a strategic planning task force was created to draft an action plan. Hospital Council staff is now helping organize a follow-up forum in Sacramento where the action plan will be presented and refined.
Sacramento/Sierra Hospital Section
In Sacramento County, the four major hospital systems are funding a new resource center within the School of Nursing at CSU Sacramento to provide space for 20 additional nursing students beginning in fall 2001.
Santa Clara Section
The Healthcare Workforce Initiative, a long-term workforce planning program created in fall 2000 by the 14 hospitals in Santa Clara County, sponsored a successful Health Summit in April resulting in the creation of a health care/business/education coalition to address the workforce crisis and develop solutions. The initiative also sponsored a Health Career Expo in June 2001, to share information with middle and high school students about health care careers. Five $1,000 scholarships were awarded to students who attended this expo, and several hospitals reported making direct hires as a result of their participation in this event.
Tulare/Kings Section
Hospitals in Tulare and Kings counties have formed a partnership with College of the Sequoias, Porterville College, San Joaquin Valley College and West Hills College to address the health care workforce shortages, including nursing. After a successful initial meeting with the colleges, the partnership is working on the following goals: 1) increase the number of RNs graduating from the college nursing programs by fostering more collaboration among colleges; and 2) establish a Health Care Education Institute of the Central Valley.
West Bay Section
In San Francisco, the hospital-sponsored Workforce Taskforce has developed a detailed workforce plan, including: 1) housing (Treasure Island and investigating loans or assistance in purchasing homes); 2) education, including Welcome Back (for foreign-trained medical personnel); 3) certified nursing assistant classes; 4) building better relationships with the city's educational institutions; 5) an extensive program with high school students, including EXPO career day at Pac Bell; 5) an orientation lunch for all science and health teachers; 6) a one-day program for teachers; 7) mentoring programs; and 8) summer internships. The taskforce also is working on transportation and joint advertising programs.
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