Kern Community College District’s Bakersfield College Selected to Participate in Nursing Program Expansion Demonstration Project
The Kern Community College District’s Bakersfield College was one of twelve community colleges selected to participate in the associate degree for nursing demonstration project led by the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office. The goal of the initiative, part of the community colleges’ Vision 2030 strategic framework, is to increase enrollment in associate degree nursing programs to address the shortage of registered nurses in rural and remote areas while ensuring equity in access to the profession.
“The Kern Community College District is pleased with the selection of Bakersfield College as a participant in the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office Nursing Demonstration Project,” said Kern CCD Chancellor Steven Bloomberg. “As a District we recognize the urgent need to expand our healthcare workforce, this demonstration project is an example of our commitment to supporting our healthcare industry and developing innovative ways to increase the number of nurses serving our community.”
The project will establish a statewide blueprint to increase nursing associate degree production with an emphasis on collaboration with regulatory and employer partners. It will also focus on supporting incumbent workers by developing flexible pathways that facilitate their entry into nursing programs. The demonstration project will emphasize career advancement for current workers and expand opportunities for individuals from disinvested communities to enter the nursing field.
“California community colleges offer accessible, flexible, hands-on training that lead to high-wage careers which makes these institutions uniquely positioned to address the state’s healthcare workforce shortage,” said California Community Colleges Chancellor Sonya Christian. “By leveraging the resources and reach of community colleges, California can not only bridge the nursing gap, but also foster equity in healthcare delivery.”
Through the demonstration project, Bakersfield College will continue to expand its enrollments and develop strategic pathways to transition from traditional LVN and VN pathways to the associate degree in nursing educational pathway. This will allow students who already have started their nursing education trajectory to continue along the path to better employment and academic opportunities including earning a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Community colleges have the structure and flexibility to meet workforce needs and Bakersfield College continues to rise to the challenge.
“The Bakersfield College nursing program is committed to growing the local talent pipeline. Over the last five years, our nursing program has more than doubled its enrollments. State funding has allowed us to renovate our simulation labs and create more classroom space,” said Carla Gard, Executive Dean of Nursing and Allied Health for Bakersfield College. “I applaud the partnerships and opportunity for community colleges to step in and play a larger role in developing local nurses to meet our healthcare industry needs.”
The pilot program is expected to expand associate degree nursing program capacities at community colleges. This includes integrating simulation labs and increasing night rotations to offer hands-on, flexible clinical experiences.
“The Labor and Workforce Development Agency is proud to partner with California’s community colleges on this important effort to recruit, train and graduate more nurses than ever before,” said Labor and Workforce Development Agency Secretary Stewart Knox. “California’s community colleges have the resources and capacity to help Californians reach their career goals and find good jobs — like nursing — that are in very high demand.”
For more information on the associate degree nursing program at Bakersfield College, go to: Registered Nursing Associate of Science Program (Advanced Placement/Transfer)