San Diego County College To Launch Nursing Program
MiraCosta College in San Marcos last week received accreditation to offer an associate of science degree program in nursing, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
Originally, the college was going to seek accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges only for a new program for licensed vocational nurses to become registered nurses. The college's accreditation applications said there are 3.56 nurses per 1,000 residents in northern San Diego County, compared with 5.75 nurses per 1,000 residents statewide.
The application also notes the cooperation of Palomar-Pomerado and Tri-City medical centers and Scripps Memorial Hospital-Encinitas in its nursing program.
Sandra Comstock, associate dean for nursing and allied health for MiraCosta, said the college has been asked to operate its program for licensed vocational nurses for one year before it starts the associate of science nursing program.
Comstock said the program, open to all applicants, should begin with 30 students next spring or fall at the latest. She added that students upon completion of the program can apply for RN certification from the state Board of Nursing (Sherman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4/27).