Nurses have never been in more demand than they are today. Factors ranging from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic to the aging United States population to the low numbers of students choosing nursing as a career have combined to create a shortage of nurses nationwide.
Fortunately, Allan Hancock College is helping to train qualified nurses. The local college saw 64 students graduate from its registered nursing and licensed vocational nursing programs in December. The graduating class included 33 graduates from Hancock’s associate degree nursing program and 31 graduates from the college’s vocational nursing program. In ceremonies at the college’s Santa Maria campus, students received commemorative pins marking their accomplishments.
“This is one of the most challenging programs that we offer at our college, and I salute every nursing student who graduates for their hard work and perseverance,” said Robert Curry, superintendent and vice president of academic affairs. “It’s comforting to know that when we encounter you out there in the world of health care professionals, we know that you graduated from an excellent program with the skills to deliver the very best level of care to your patients.”
Licensed vocational nursing program graduate Brittney Passmore said the past year had shaped the nursing students.
“This year has been one of the most challenging years of our lives,” Passmore said. “We entered our first year of nursing school as the world entered its second year of the pandemic. But if there’s one thing I know about our class of students, it’s that we are adaptable and flexible and can overcome any obstacles that come our way.”
A ladder concept of achievement
Nursing students at Hancock benefit from a curriculum built on a ladder concept. This allows students to complete one step of their program at a time, giving them marketable skills and certifications that they can immediately use. They can also optionally continue toward an advanced degree.
“At the completion of any step, you may continue or stop, go to work and return for more education later,” according to Allan Hancock College Public Affairs and Communications Director Lauren Milbourne.
Students begin by earning their certified nursing assistant certification, which gives them the knowledge base needed to provide patient care on the front lines of health care service. Each Hancock CNA class has 45 available seats filled from a waitlist of applicants, and the course is one semester.
When students are ready to add to their training, they can apply for the licensed vocational nursing program, which builds on their knowledge of patient care. The 12-month program is offered every year, beginning in January. Its prerequisites include being a certified nursing assistant and completing five basic education classes.
“The LVN-RN program is specifically designed to provide the LVN with an opportunity for career advancement and prepares the LVN for the additional responsibilities required of the registered nurse,” according to Milbourne.
Following completion of the licensed vocational nursing program, students may choose to advance their careers by pursuing a registered nursing degree. This two-semester program starts every spring semester, and graduates of any accredited vocational nursing programs may apply.
Graduates who attain an associate RN degree are eligible to apply for a variety of positions in health care facilities. Students with this certification could work in hospitals, home health care services, nursing care facilities, doctor’s offices, outpatient care centers, continuing care retirement communities, and more.
For more information about the nursing programs at Allan Hancock College and to apply, visit hancockcollege.edu/nursing.