CareerTech Address Healthcare Worforce Issues

CareerTech Addresses Healthcare Worforce Issues

By Ann Houston
Oklahoma Department of CareerTech

Thousands of people who want to become nurses are put on waiting lists for nurse training and education programs while the state and nation reaches a critical point in an escalating nursing shortage.

Projections by the American Nursing Association show that nearly 400,000 nurses will be retiring just as aging baby boomers start to enter the stage of life requiring more health care assistance. Related jobs for nurse’s aides, medical assistants, respiratory therapists and others also are in demand. Medical assisting is expected to be one of the 10 fastest-growing occupations through 2008.

The Oklahoma CareerTech System has major responsibilities to train and educate a strong workforce for the health care industry, said Phil Berkenbile, state CareerTech director. In fact, CareerTech representatives are coming together to address health care shortages and possible solutions.

During the past year a joint effort among education systems has been developed to help meet this critical need for health care professionals.

“The state’s CareerTech and higher education systems joined forces with INTEGRIS Health in Oklahoma City to create the One-Plus-One fast track to nursing program,” according to Ruth Eckenstein, Health Careers Educations program specialist at the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education. “Students enrolled in the program will be able to complete nursing degrees in two years.

“Traditional education required to become a registered nurse includes general education hours plus a two-year of associate’s degree level nursing course – about 64 college hours – IF they can get into a nursing program,” Eckenstein said. “Many licensed practical nurses qualify for nursing school, but due to a lack of space and instructors, can’t get in.”

Partners initiating this fast-track nursing program with INTEGRIS include Redlands and Oklahoma City Community Colleges, Oklahoma State University-OKC and Francis Tuttle and Metro Technology Centers in Oklahoma City. In August, Tulsa Technology Center partnered with Tulsa Community College to provide training to a class of 13. The expected date of graduation is August 2007.

“This program was INTEGRIS’ idea,” Eckenstein said. “They provide support to One-Plus-One CareerTech LPN programs by providing clinicals experiences and adjunct faculty for higher education RN programs.”

“Some 24 LPNs graduated from Francis Tuttle and Metro Tech for the first part of the program,” Eckenstein said. “These graduates were tested during the summer and, after passing their boards, qualified to enroll at a partnering higher education institution to become registered nurses.”

By May of 2007, they will graduate as RNs. And, the program continues to grow.

Juniors or seniors in high school who are interested in nursing, have attended some health careers education classes and are interested in attending programs for licensed practical nursing at local technology center may also benefit from the One-Plus-One fast track program after high school graduation.

For more information contact your local technology center or visit www.okcareertech.org

CareerTech Addresses Healthcare Worforce Issues By Ann Houston Oklahoma Department of CareerTech Thousands of people who want to become nurses are put on waiting lists for nurse training and education programs while the state and nation reaches a critical point in an escalating nursing shortage. Projections by the American Nursing Association show that nearly 400,000 nurses will be retiring just as aging baby boomers start to enter the stage of life requiring more health care assistance. Related jobs for nurse’s aides, medical assistants, respiratory therapists and others also are in demand. Medical assisting is expected to be one of the 10 fastest-growing occupations through 2008. The Oklahoma CareerTech System has major responsibilities to train and educate a strong workforce for the health care industry, said Phil Berkenbile, state CareerTech director. In fact, CareerTech representatives are coming together to address health care shortages and possible solutions. During the past year a joint effort among education systems has been developed to help meet this critical need for health care professionals. “The state’s CareerTech and higher education systems joined forces with INTEGRIS Health in Oklahoma City to create the One-Plus-One fast track to nursing program,” according to Ruth Eckenstein, Health Careers Educations program specialist at the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education. “Students enrolled in the program will be able to complete nursing degrees in two years. “Traditional education required to become a registered nurse includes general education hours plus a two-year of associate’s degree level nursing course – about 64 college hours – IF they can get into a nursing program,” Eckenstein said. “Many licensed practical nurses qualify for nursing school, but due to a lack of space and instructors, can’t get in.” Partners initiating this fast-track nursing program with INTEGRIS include Redlands and Oklahoma City Community Colleges, Oklahoma State University-OKC and Francis Tuttle and Metro Technology Centers in Oklahoma City. In August, Tulsa Technology Center partnered with Tulsa Community College to provide training to a class of 13. The expected date of graduation is August 2007. “This program was INTEGRIS’ idea,” Eckenstein said. “They provide support to One-Plus-One CareerTech LPN programs by providing clinicals experiences and adjunct faculty for higher education RN programs.” “Some 24 LPNs graduated from Francis Tuttle and Metro Tech for the first part of the program,” Eckenstein said. “These graduates were tested during the summer and, after passing their boards, qualified to enroll at a partnering higher education institution to become registered nurses.” By May of 2007, they will graduate as RNs. And, the program continues to grow. Juniors or seniors in high school who are interested in nursing, have attended some health careers education classes and are interested in attending programs for licensed practical nursing at local technology center may also benefit from the One-Plus-One fast track program after high school graduation. For more information contact your local technology center or visit www.okcareertech.org

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