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January 17, 2002 AREA MEDICAL CENTERS SUPPORT UNIVERSITY NURSING PROGRAMS Five of the Treasure Valley’s major medical centers, Boise State University and Idaho State University have united in a major way to enhance nursing education and expand the area’s nursing work force. Officials from Boise State and Idaho State along with the presidents of St. Luke’s Regional Medical Center, St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center, Mercy Medical Center, West Valley Medical Center and the Idaho Elks Rehabilitation Hospital announced today that the two schools will each receive an annual infusion of $60,000 from the five hospitals to support “the development and delivery of nursing programs in the Treasure Valley.” The contributions of the medical centers begin with the current academic year. The medical centers are providing the funds in response to the shortage of qualified nurses in the Boise area, the state and the nation. According to recent Bureau of Labor statistics, Idaho is ranked 49th in the nation for registered nurses per 100,000 people. Last year Gov. Dirk Kempthorne and the Legislature approved funds to hire new faculty in areas of critical need. Boise State used the appropriation to hire additional nursing faculty. That provided the impetus for the university/medical center partnership, said Boise State President Charles Ruch. “This is another example of how the private sector and higher education in this region can work together to address a problem. Anyone concerned about health care should be pleased with this cooperative effort to enhance nursing education,” said Ruch. “This partnership not only benefits the students involved in the programs, but also theemployers in Idaho who are desperately in need of a work force,” added Robin Dodson, chief academic officer at Idaho State’s Boise Center. “It is a shining example of maximizing opportunity while minimizing cost — a very efficient way of doing business.” In the memorandum of understanding, the medical centers and the two universities agree to: Boise State currently graduates an average of 160 nursing students per year. With the implementation of a new curriculum this fall, the nursing program plans to enroll at least 110 additional students. The new curriculum allows students to more easily progress through three educational options — practical nursing, associate degree or baccalaureate degree. Idaho State has offered graduate nursing in Boise for several years. This semester the school began a new Fast Track Program designed for those in the community who already hold a bachelor’s degree in any discipline. The program is offered at non-traditional times for non traditional students. There are currently eight students in the program, but Idaho State plans to enroll 20 students per year. Rainbow.” For more information: Media Contact:
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