Catholic Healthcare West, Blue Cross of California and Holy Names College Create Degree Program To Address Nursing Shortage and Encourage Career Advancement
SAN FRANCISCO--(BW HEALTHWIRE via COLLEGIATE PRESSWIRE)--Feb 12, 2002--Catholic Healthcare West, in partnership with Holy Names College of Oakland, CA, today announced a long-distance learning program for CHW and non-CHW registered nurses who want to continue their education. The program also includes funds provided by Blue Cross to reduce tuition costs.
''The program is one of the many ways CHW is working with partners to creatively address the current nationwide nursing shortage affecting the entire industry and recognize the critical roles nurses play in our health care system,'' said Ernie Urquhart, Senior Vice President for Human Resources at CHW.
The first such program for CHW, long-distance learning will enable registered nurses to advance their careers through earning a fully-accredited Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from Holy Names College, a leader in the field of Nursing education since the 1930s. Remote classes will be held conveniently at selected CHW facilities with video-conferencing technologies and on-site instructors. Classes began January 30th.
As part of its relationship with CHW, Blue Cross is providing the funds for an educational reimbursement program that provides tuition support to CHW nurses enrolled in this program. Non-CHW nurses may enroll in the program and apply for student aid with Holy Names College, but are not eligible for the financial support from Blue Cross.
''At CHW, we want to offer the best opportunities for our nurses to continue their education and grow their careers,'' said Urquhart of CHW. ''We understand that nurses have many career options in today`s competitive environment. In response, we support programs to create the type of environment that nurses tell us is most important to them--one that offers career growth potential, support for continuing education, and home life balance. By working at CHW, our nurses can take advantage of convenient on-site classes as well as educational reimbursement to make their continued education more affordable and more accessible.''
''It`s hard to juggle a demanding career while continuing my education,'' said Jennifer Moscini of Sequoia Hospital in Redwood City, California. ''It`s a comfort to know that CHW recognizes this and can commit to me as a professional by offering a program that allows me to balance opportunities for advancement with my day-to-day responsibilities.''
The current nursing shortage is an industry-wide issue that is affecting health care facilities throughout the country. California, in particular, has the lowest ratio in the nation of registered nurses to the population. The problem is projected to continue and worsen in the coming years as more experienced nurses retire or leave the demanding profession.
''The nursing shortage is a significant challenge to delivery and cost of care issues in California. Better training and continued education opportunities for nurses add value and expertise to our health delivery system,'' said Dr. Robert Crocker, Senior Vice President and Corporate Medical Director, Blue Cross. ''We`re pleased to be involved and to contribute to this innovative effort to address a serious issue.''
''We`re excited about combining our strength as an educational leader with the quality and commitment of CHW and Blue Cross in order to meet the needs of nurses for an affordable and conveniently scheduled RN-to-BSN program,'' said David Fike, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Holy Names College. Holy Names College established one of the first BSN programs exclusively for Registered Nurses in the U.S. in the 1960s and has been offering this program through a distance education format for the last six years. More than 250 Registered Nurses have completed the program that uses videoconference technology.
About CHW
Founded in 1986, Catholic Healthcare West is the largest Catholic health care system based in the Western United states with 42 hospitals and two medical practice groups in California, Arizona and Nevada. CHW is sponsored by eight religious orders and works to further the healing ministry of Jesus by delivering compassionate, high-quality, affordable health services; providing direct services to the poor and disenfranchised, and advocating on their behalf; and partnering with others to improve the quality of life in the
communities we serve. CHW annually cares for more than 300,000 patients; provides more than $300 million in community benefits and care for the poor; and employs approximately 34,000 people.
About Blue Cross of California
Blue Cross of California (www.bluecross.com), with more than 5.7 million medical members in the state, is an operating subsidiary of WellPoint Health Networks Inc. (NYSE: WLP), one of the nation`s largest publicly traded health care companies. WellPoint serves the health care needs of approximately 10 million medical and more than 44 million specialty members nationally. WellPoint offers a broad spectrum of quality network-based health products including open access PPO, POS and hybrid products, HMO and specialty products. Specialty products include pharmacy benefit management, dental, utilization management, vision, mental health, life and disability insurance, long term care insurance, flexible spending accounts, COBRA administration, and Medicare supplements.
About Holy Names College
Holy Names College was founded in Oakland, California in 1868 and offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in a variety of disciplines to approximately 1,000 students. Committed to the vision of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, who founded the institution, the College educates students from a diversity of cultures, religions, and backgrounds including those traditionally under-represented in higher education. All degrees of the College are accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. The National League of Nursing and the Collegiate Commission of Nursing Education accredit the nursing programs.
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