New Nursing Skills Lab At Canada College, Funded By The Sequoia Healthcare District, To Be Dedicated Today
REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Dec. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Canada College will dedicate its new, 2,000 square foot nursing skills laboratory today, a centerpiece for the new Sequoia Hospital/San Francisco State University (SFSU) Bachelor of Science in Nursing satellite program at Canada College. The lab features the use of life-like computer manikins for a program that is the first of its kind in the region to answer the critical shortage of professional nurses to serve local residents.
Funded with a $650,000 startup grant from the Sequoia Healthcare District, the laboratory complex includes a large central classroom -- designed as an eight-bed examination center -- in addition to separate conference space, a supply room, reception area and offices accessed through Room 205 within the Science Building (Bldg. #18).
"Our mission involves ensuring that there will be enough nurses within the District to support the staffing needs of Sequoia Hospital and other healthcare providers," said Kathleen Kane, president of the Sequoia Healthcare District Board of Directors. "With California's nursing shortage getting worse every year, this program will not only help fill the gap locally, but it can serve as a partnering model for other communities and healthcare districts around the state."
Sequoia Hospital is offering incentives in the form of forgivable loans for those who choose employment there. Some 32 student nurses are currently enrolled, a figure that will expand to 80 students by the fall of 2005. Within the next 10 years, this program is expected to train and graduate from 300 to 400 new nurses.
"The importance of a bachelors degree in nursing cannot be overstated," said Beatrice Yorker, RN, MS, JD, FAAN and both the director and a professor of the San Francisco State University School of Nursing. "Today more than 70 percent of nurses in California have associate degrees. However, studies show that higher education for nurses leads to better patient outcomes and is also required for public and community health nursing and supervisory positions within the medical community. These are two of the reasons why SFSU is reaching out to Canada College to offer students an opportunity to complete a four-year university degree once the necessary prerequisites have been met."
Following its initial community grant to fund the architectural design, refurbish the existing space, as well as to provide library books and equipment at the new lab during 2004, the Sequoia Healthcare District has also pledged to fund SFSU at $25,000 per student from 2005 through 2014 to help offset expenses associated with ongoing operations and staffing.
About Sequoia Healthcare District
The Sequoia Healthcare District, formed in 1946 and headquartered in Redwood City, Calif., provides oversight and support for innovative programs and activities designed to achieve health, wellness and disease prevention for District residents. Since 1996, the District has been part of a successful affiliation (known as Sequoia Health Services) with hospital operator Catholic Healthcare West (CHW), to govern Sequoia Hospital and help support it with public funds. Communities in the District include Redwood City, Belmont, San Carlos, Menlo Park, Woodside, Atherton, Portola Valley, and part of Foster City and unincorporated areas.
Sequoia Healthcare DistrictCONTACT: Stephani Scott of Sequoia Healthcare District, +1-650-367-5708,or stscott@chw.edu; or Gary Quackenbush of Fineman PR, +1-415-392-1000, ext.23, or gquackenbush@finemanpr.com, for Sequoia Healthcare District