Modesto Junior College to expand nursing program in response to state’s shortage

In an effort to meet the increasing demand for nurses in California, Modesto Junior College has been selected to participate in a statewide initiative to expand nursing programs.

The project, aligned with the Vision 2030 strategic framework for community colleges, is led by the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office. It aims to address the needs of California’s aging and diverse population.

“Modesto Junior College is excited to be included in this nursing expansion demonstration project. The need for nurses in our region is immense, and we have far more applicants to our program than we can accept,” MJC President Brian Sanders said in a statement. “We are committed to working with the Chancellor’s Office, our fellow colleges and our healthcare partners to increase the number of nurses serving our local community.”

The initiative aims to boost enrollment in associate degree nursing programs to alleviate the shortage of registered nurses in rural and remote areas, while also promoting equitable access to the profession. It will emphasize career advancement for current workers and expand opportunities for individuals from underserved communities to enter the nursing field.

For more on the associate degree nursing program at MJC, go to www.mjc.edu/instruction/alliedhealth/adnprogram .

“California community colleges offer accessible, flexible, hands-on training that leads 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 cannot only bridge the nursing gap but also foster equity in healthcare delivery.”

During the demonstration project, colleges can enroll students on a rolling basis, with the next cohort beginning in spring 2025 and new cohorts starting every fall and spring semester thereafter.

The other 11 participating community colleges are Butte College, Cabrillo College, Monterey Peninsula College, Bakersfield College, Cuesta College, Ventura College, Golden West College, Saddleback College, Mt. San Jacinto College, Riverside City College and College of the Desert.

According to estimates from the UC San Francisco Health Workforce Research Center on Long-Term Care , California is facing a shortage of approximately 36,000 licensed nurses.

A report from the Healthforce Center at UCSF shows that the registered nurse shortage in the Central Valley is expected to worsen in the coming years due to insufficient educational capacity and migration of nurses to the region, which are unable to keep pace with population growth.

This project aims to improve access to the nursing profession and increase the number of registered nurses in other parts of the state to prevent future shortages.

“No single institution can solve California’s health workforce challenges, but with a shared vision and evidence to guide us, HCAI, California Community Colleges and our many other critical partners can start to make concerted progress toward meaningful change,” said Libby Abbott, deputy director for HCAI Health Workforce.

The project will develop a statewide plan to increase nursing associate degrees by working with regulators and employers. It will also create flexible pathways to help current workers enter nursing programs.

“Our shared mission with the California Community Colleges chancellor is to empower incumbent workers to advance into higher-wage clinical roles and ensure Californians have equitable access to care providers that represent our communities,” said Rebecca Hanson, executive director of The Education Fund, a partnership between 22 healthcare industry employers and six SEIU local unions . “Our members, 70% of whom are workers of color, will benefit from this initiative’s emphasis on developing accessible pathways into nursing.”

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.”