Local nursing programs are crucial to maintaining healthcare options in rural areas like Clatsop County by keeping skilled graduates in the community to work in the hospitals and clinics. This past academic year, Clatsop Community College (CCC) saw 18 nursing students graduate. 100% went on to pass the national NCLEX-RN exam to become registered nurses (RNs), and 14 secured RN positions in local healthcare facilities including 5 at Columbia Memorial Hospital (CMH). With the CMH expansion and more need for nurses within that facility in the works, additional skilled nursing graduates who want to live and work locally are in demand.
For several years, CMH has played a pivotal role in supporting CCC’s Nursing Program. Through a generous $80,000 donation for the 2023-24 academic year, provided via the CCC Foundation, CMH has helped fund a full-time nursing instructor position. This contribution ensures that CCC can maintain high-quality instruction for its nursing students, helping to prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals. Tina Kotson, Interim Director of Nursing and Allied Health at CCC, expressed her gratitude, stating, “We are deeply thankful to CMH for their continued partnership. Their support is crucial to the success of our nursing program and the future of healthcare in our community.”
The financial backing from CMH alleviates some of the financial pressures associated with offering a nursing program, which can be costly due to state-mandated student-to-instructor ratios. The Oregon State Board of Nursing requires a 1:8 instructor to student ratio for clinical rotations. This means additional instructors are needed to provide the 500+ hours of hands-on clinical training CCC nursing students complete before graduation. This rigorous requirement makes nursing education expensive, but thanks to contributions like CMH’s, CCC has been able to maintain affordability while increasing its cohort size to 24 students per year.
In addition to financial support, CMH offers a wide range of other support. The hospital provides clinical opportunities for nursing students, allowing them to gain valuable hands-on experience. CMH also participates on the college’s Advisory Committees, offering vital input that helps shape the program’s curriculum. “Without CMH’s unwavering support, the Nursing and Allied Health programs could not sustain the high standards of education that we provide to our students,” Kotson emphasized. “Their contribution has allowed us to continue enrolling a full cohort of 24 students for the fall 2024 semester.”
For more information about the Clatsop Community Nursing Program, please contact Interim Director Tina Kotson at tkotson@clatsopcc.edu.
