NOVEMBER 18, 2004

Mesa State College and Mesa County Workforce Center Announce Funding for Associates Degree in Nursing Program

Grand Junction, CO - The Mesa State College Department of Nursing and Radiologic Science and the Mesa County Workforce Center have announced the receipt of an $800,000 award from the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment and additional private funds, which will help fund a new associate's of applied science in nursing degree program.

"By joining with the Mesa County Workforce Center, the state and private donors, we're working to address western Colorado's shortage of registered nurses and making a positive contribution to the overall health of our region," said Kristy Reuss, chair of Mesa State's Department of Nursing and Radiologic Science. "This AAS in nursing degree program will enable licensed practical nurses to advance both their skill levels and their careers."

The AAS is part of the nursing department's "plus one" options, which allows those who have already received basic nursing instruction to move to the next level, including associates and bachelor's of science in nursing degrees. The full-time, year-long AAS program will include academic and clinical courses that further prepare LPNs to be direct care givers in hospitals, long-term facilities and ambulatory care-clinic settings. It will initially train 20 students at the Tilman M. Bishop Unified Education Campus in Grand Junction and then expand to include ten additional LPNs in the Delta / Montrose area.

"Mesa County and the surrounding area are growing at a rapid pace," said Sue Tuffin, Mesa County Workforce Center director. "Ensuring that an educated workforce is in place to meet the demands of this growing population will require cross-community collaboration and that's exactly what has occurred with this associate's degree in nursing program."

The LPNs who complete the AAS in nursing degree will be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN exam to become registered nurses. With their increased skill levels, RNs often have access to additional employment opportunities, increased compensation and greater job security than do LPNs.
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"As the region's designated higher education provider, we are cognizant of western Colorado's needs and are developing programs that meet those needs," said Tim Foster, Mesa State College president. "The demand for nurses of all levels of education is very high right now and Mesa State is rising to this challenge by providing yet another educational option for those who want to work in the health care industry."

In addition to the $800,000 state award, Mesa State College will contribute $1.7 million in resources to the AAS in nursing program over the next four years. This will include classroom, laboratory and office space, salaries, clinical supervision costs, as well as private cash contributions.

For more information, contact the Publicity Coordinator at 970.248.1371 or Kristy Reuss, Chair of the Department of Nursing and Radiologic Science, at 970.248.1129. Additional information on the Mesa State College nursing program is also available at www.mesastate.edu/ /schools/sbps/nars/index.htm.