Partnership allows rural community to “grow its own” health professionals

A rural healthcare outreach effort between UCCS and Lamar Community College will support close-to-home baccalaureate and graduate nurse education for residents of southeast Colorado.

Funded by a $100,000 grant from Denver-based Helen K. and Arthur E. Johnson Foundation, the nursing programs at Lamar Community College and UCCS will create a streamlined enrollment of students from Lamar to the Beth-El College of Nursing and Health Sciences at UCCS. The program will allow Lamar students to continue past associate degrees to earn bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, certification in clinical specialties, or a doctorate of nursing practice degree. The courses will be offered using a variety of distance-learning tools including Web-based courses.

“We are deeply appreciative of the Helen K. and Arthur E. Johnson Foundation’s funding of this unique effort to address the shortage of nursing professionals in southern Colorado,” UCCS Chancellor Pam Shockley-Zalabak said. “Partnerships between colleges and universities in southern Colorado help improve the quality of life and opportunities for our stakeholders.”

Lamar Community College President John Marrin explained, “A partnership with the Beth-El College of Nursing and Health Sciences will allow Lamar Community College to initiate a model to ‘grow our own’ supply of area advanced degree nurses who may choose to pursue careers in nursing education, thus assisting our local healthcare facilities and perpetuating future generations of nursing students through education.”

Of concern to rural Colorado are challenges faced by an aging population and challenges in recruiting health care professionals. The supply-and-demand issue is additionally challenged by nursing education accreditation standards that require nursing faculty to hold master’s degrees. The new partnership addresses both issues by allowing potential Lamar Community College faculty to earn advanced degrees while also allowing students to earn an associate degree in nursing at Lamar and seamlessly transfer to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program and, later, to other degree programs.

The program is considered a pilot effort for what could be a state and national solution to nursing shortages.

During the spring 2009 semester, the approximately 30 students in the Lamar associate degree program will receive information about continuing their education at UCCS. Those who graduate from Lamar will be eligible to attend bachelor’s degree courses offered through UCCS for the summer or fall 2009 semesters. Campus officials estimate that three to five will enroll for the summer or fall 2009 semesters.

At the same time, practicing area nurses may also consider enrolling in UCCS advanced degree offerings.

The program will be evaluated carefully to ensure the needs of students, and the high standards set by faculty are met, according to Nancy Smith, dean, Beth-El College of Nursing, and Sandy Summers, nursing director, Lamar Community College. If successful, state and federal funding will be sought after 2010 and will be replicated with other community colleges in the state.