Taeler Aschbrenner, cardiology tech at Fresno Heart & Surgical Hospital, tried to get into a nursing program for years.
"The first year, you get your hopes up,” said Aschbrenner. “Well, you get your hopes up every year."
Tough competition, coupled with limited space in programs, means not everyone who has a heart for nursing gets in. After receiving three rejection letters, McKenna Hansen, a phlebotomist at Community Regional Medical Center, started to lose hope of fulfilling her dream of becoming a nurse.
"They [other nursing programs] only accept 100 students for one whole year. In two semesters there were 1,200 applicants," said Hansen. “It was really hard. Every time, I thought, ‘Well maybe this time, maybe next time.’ They pick [students] for two semesters, so I would have to wait a whole year to apply again.”
Aschbrenner and Hansen’s experience isn’t rare. For those who want to become registered nurses, it can be a challenge getting into nursing school across the state. The Central Valley also suffers from a severe shortage of nurses. According to the U.S. Registered Nurse Workforce Report Card, the shortage is expected to continue through 2030 and hit western states like California the hardest.
Three cohorts a year planned
Community Nursing Education Pathway Powered by Unitek College supports Community employees interested in becoming registered nurses with a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN). Future nurses who train in Community’s facilities, and Community team members who participate in the program, receive a specialized tuition rate.This provides an opportunity and pathway for staff who already work at Community to enter into a nursing program. And the response Community received from current employees like Aschbrenner and Hansen was overwhelming — with 600 team members expressing interest.
The first cohort began in January for the BSN 3-year program, a track where students will complete their nursing prerequisite courses, along with completing clinical training. Three cohorts a year are planned with each cohort having anywhere from 20-25 students.
Growing the nursing pipeline for the Central Valley
Expanding nursing education opportunities in the Valley is a critical component to meeting the region’s future healthcare needs. Plans are in the works to expand this program and make it available to those in our community who are interested in a nursing degree. It’s estimated there are more than 600 qualified applicants each year in the Central Valley that can’t find a spot in existing nursing programs.Danny Davis, R.N. and Community’s chief clinical and operations officer, said, “Only six months into its first cohort, Community and Unitek’s educational partnership is already helping to offer greater access to nursing programs for our team members.”
Davis emphasized that Community is committed to its ongoing partnerships with existing schools and continues its support of other local nursing programs.
“I’m pleased our healthcare system continues to expand to meet the needs of our region by investing in and building upon the Valley’s outstanding nursing education programs,” he said. “Collectively, these efforts will create more access to nursing opportunities and help grow the nursing pipeline for our Valley.”
Offering educational opportunities is just one of the ways Community cares for its employees and encourages career growth. The health system also provides tuition and professional certification reimbursements, donor-provided, full-ride nursing scholarships, free online professional development classes, and job shadowing opportunities for employees who want to learn about other roles.
When Hansen and Aschbrenner heard Community and Unitek College were teaming up to increase nursing school opportunities, they immediately applied, were accepted and are now "hitting the books" to become top-notch RNs.
