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October 18, 2002 - For immediate release
Consortium of Arkansas Two-Year Colleges Plan Pilot Educational Program for Nurses
LITTLE ROCK - The United States is in the midst of a nursing shortage that is expected to intensify as baby boomers age and the need for health care grows according to the American Association for Colleges of Nursing. The latest projections from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics published in the February 2004 Monthly Labor Review show that more than one million new and replacement nurses will be needed by 2012.
In an effort to combat this shortage in Arkansas, a consortium of two-year colleges has been approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing to propose a new pilot educational program that transitions certified Practical Nurses (LPN/LPTN) to Registered Nurses. The approval paves the way for the six-member consortium to seek approval of the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board (AHECB) at its quarterly meeting in August.
This program will be set up differently than many RN programs. Students will earn degrees in a three-semester, twelve-month format. Classes will be delivered by interactive video and online, and clinicals will be scheduled evenings (after 3 p.m.), nights, and on weekends. This schedule will allow a working adult to participate in the program on a part-time basis. Tentative plans call for each institution in the consortium to enroll up to ten students in this degree program. This consortium will address the need of nurses for rural areas since the students already live and work in these areas of great need.
The next step after AHECB approval will be for the consortium to hire a program director. When curricular and other administrative decisions have been made, the consortium will then seek "Initial Approval" from the Arkansas State Board of Nursing. Pending approval at this step, the consortium may admit students and begin the program in January 2005. The consortium will then proceed toward "Full Approval" from the same Board. Because there is currently a moratorium on new RN programs in Arkansas, the Board had to vote to lift the moratorium for this pilot project.
The Arkansas Rural Nursing Education Consortium, which includes Arkansas State University - Newport, Black River Technical College in Pocahontas, Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas in De Queen, Ozarka College in Melbourne, South Arkansas Community College in El Dorado, and University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton, met with the Arkansas State Board of Nursing in June to approve this pilot program.
Dr. Ed Franklin, executive director of the Arkansas Association of Two-Year Colleges, expressed his elation at the approval and at the level of support provided by key individuals, including state legislators. "We are fortunate to have local legislators who will go above and beyond by taking time to support the educational efforts in our rural communities."
Arkansas legislators speaking on behalf of the program were Senator Paul Miller of Melbourne, Representative Paul Weaver of Violet Hill, Representative Jodie Mahony of El Dorado, and Representative Tommy Dickinson of Newport. Several hospital administrators from these communities also spoke in support of this program.
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