Health System Donation Funds Expansion of Nurse Training Program at Fresno City College

Health system Community Medical Centers has agreed to commit $500,000 over five years to Fresno City College to pay for an additional nursing instructor and help train additional nurses for the San Joaquin Valley, the Fresno Bee reports. According to Carolyn Webster, chief nursing officer and senior vice president of CMC, the central San Joaquin Valley has 452 registered nurses per 100,000 residents, compared with 585 RNs per 100,000 residents statewide and 798 RNs per 100,000 people nationwide. CMC, which runs hospitals in Fresno and Clovis, will give $100,000 per year for five years to City College to fund an additional full-time faculty member, support and materials. Within two years, City College expects to add 20 nurses per year to its graduating class. Linzie Daniel, senior vice president of human resources at CMC, called the deal "a very wise business decision," noting that without the extra nurses, hospitals would have to hire workers from abroad. City College President Ned Doffoney said of the deal, "Give us more money. We'll train more nurses, and you'll get them. ... It's a great deal for them and a good deal for the Valley" (Steinberg, Fresno Bee, 2/23).