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New program in Eastern Sierra makes nursing education local |
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Thursday, 19 March 2009 |
By Ehren Goetz
Mammoth Hospital
 submitted photo Participants in the Liensed Vocational Nursing program of Cerro Coso Community College. Kathleen Alo of Mammoth Hospital is second from left.
The first semester of classes for nursing students in the Eastern Sierra started in January 2008. Implementing the program locally has been a long-time project of Chief Nursing Officers Kathleen Alo of Mammoth Hospital, and Susan Batchelder of Northern Inyo Hospital in Bishop.
Porterville and Ridgecrest Community Colleges have offered both Licensed Vocational Nursing, and Registered Nursing classes, but getting the program offered to students in the Eastern Sierra was a challenge.
Both Alo and Batchelder were determined, working with Cerro Coso Community College Director Deanna Campbell, to have courses offered through the college.
The process also involved collaboration with Cindy Collier, Associate Chancellor of Health Services Programs, Kern Community College District, to gain approval from the California Board of Vocational Nurses.
“I wanted to offer the opportunity for people in our community to acquire the skills and training to become nurses, while giving people already working in the medical field an opportunity for growth,” Alo said.
The Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) program, a three-semester class, gives students hands-on experience with a fundamental skills lab taught by Maxine Binn, RN, MN, at Mammoth Hospital.
After their first six weeks, students gain experience with supervised patient care. Students receive nursing theory via interactive TV broadcasts to Mammoth and Bishop campuses taught by an instructor in Ridgecrest.
At this time, the program is limited to Licensed Vocational Nursing, but there are hopes to add a Registered Nursing program as well, getting the approval and accreditation from Cerro Coso Community College and the California Board of Registered Nurses sometime in the near future.
In the meantime all the students find the program very useful in building their careers without having to relocate.
“I was really excited when I heard the program was going to be offered in Mammoth,” said Tina Damico, an employee of Mammoth Hospital. Tina and the rest of the LVN class will graduate in May 2009.
For more information on this program, please contact Greg Kost, at (760) 872-5316.
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Last Updated ( Friday, 27 March 2009 )
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