Sierra View District Hospital Joins Local Colleges in Developing Nurse Education Program
In an effort to alleviate its nursing shortage, Porterville-based Sierra View District Hospital has joined with area community colleges to develop a two-year registered nurse training program, the Fresno Bee reports. Porterville College, Bakersfield College-Delano and West Hills College have been working since last September to develop the $280,000 program, which is being funded by Sierra View District Hospital and West Hills College. The training program is scheduled to begin in August at Porterville College; the program will meet standards established by the state Board of Registered Nursing. Valerie Lombardi, director of nursing at Porterville College, said, "It's exciting to bring to a rural area this type of program that has been needed for a long time." Sierra View CEO Kelly Morgan said, "Now that we have this program, I feel that we will be able to fill the gap in the nursing shortage at our hospital" (Bergfalk, Fresno Bee, 6/20).
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