Yavapai College Training Nurses as High Demand Continues

As the extraordinary burden on healthcare systems continues, Yavapai County Community Health Services Director Leslie Horton is praising Yavapai College for its strong nursing program. “Because of recent strains on health care, due to the pandemic, and the shortage of healthcare workers nationally, it is more important than ever to provide a quality nursing program that not only educates and equips our local residents who want a nursing degree, it also attracts those seeking the degree to come to our community and to seek employment. Thanks to Yavapai College and its nursing program, we have been able to develop, educate and employ nurses locally who sustain health care for all of us during the pandemic — and, we hope, for years to come.”

Nursing officials agreed with Horton and her recommendation that students have as much clinical and apprenticeship experience as possible before entering the workforce. YC nursing students are expected to complete rotations in clinical settings and find internships to gain real world experience.

Recent YC successes include reaccreditation of the YC associate of nursing program, growth of nursing student scholarships in the YC Foundation to more than $2.5 million, an increase in the number of doctoral and other graduate degreed faculty among the 13-member teaching faculty, and the December mid-year pinning and graduation of 39 student nurses.

Especially important is the positive report from the Accrediting Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), authorizing accreditation for the next eight years. It documents that the program is strong and beneficial to students, communities and stakeholders, said YC Nursing Program Director Marylou Mercado, Ed.D.

The college teaches nurses on two campuses, one in Prescott with 129 students and one in the Verde Valley with 77 students. “Faculty share teaching responsibilities and travel from campus to campus, dependent on what expertise is needed at any given time,” said Mercado.

High Demand for Nurses
Recently-released data by the U.S. Department of Labor indicate that the employment outlook for nurses is high and will increase, especially as the current workforce retires. Demand for nurses will likely grow by at least 7% annually for the nation, which is higher than for most other professions. Salaries are also increasing.

At the Yavapai College Health Summit sponsored by the YC Regional Economic Development Center (REDC) in Camp Verde this past late fall, REDC Executive Director Richard Hernandez said the need to attract qualified medical personnel is high, particularly in Yavapai County, which has a population of more than 236,000 and is top-heavy with senior citizens.

Mercado echoed Hernandez’s concerns. “We must look at how we retain our own health care workers and how we attract others to come here,” she said. “We must develop even more collaborative efforts to keep them in the field here in our communities.”

As a result of the health summit, a number of recommendations were developed to support nurses in training other healthcare personnel. They included:

• Creation of dedicated and subsidized housing and childcare facilities for local healthcare personnel.
• Linking healthcare scholarships to apprenticeships and multi-year opportunities to serve in a specific community.
• Streamlining course offerings and apprenticeships to put even more support workers in the field.
• Expanding deployment of healthcare resources to reach even more remote area in the county.

The 24-month YC Nursing Program starts twice a year. “The program is vibrant and growing,” said Mercado. “We are accepting cohorts of 50 new students each spring and fall semester, for a total of 100 new students each academic year.”

Mercado said she and her team are actively seeking opportunities with clinical agencies to increase clinical placements for increased nursing program growth. She emphasized success rates for employment had been exceptional. “In 2020, our graduating employment placement was 90%.”

“Nurses are a critical part of our healthcare system,” said YC President Lisa Rhine. “They are a vital part of our local communities. YC strives to provide an extraordinary training program to aspiring nurses. I am proud of the impact our nursing students have in our communities. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, when so many things changed, these students persevered to complete their education and reach their goals. I commend them for their resilience and dedication in helping others.” QCBN

By Ray Newton, QCBN