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Linda Kresge, MPA, RN, Clinical Director
of Sequoia Healthcare District's new nursing program. |
To help ease the nursing shortage in their community, the
Sequoia Healthcare District in Redwood City has rolled out
a satellite program to educate, graduate, and increase the
nurse workforce population.
“The first of its kind in the region, the District’s
Board of Directors wanted to be sure that the community is
being responsible about community assets,” says Linda
Kresge, MPA, RN, and Chief Nurse Executive of Sequoia Hospital
and Clinical Director of the Sequoia Healthcare District’s
new nursing program. Kresge is also a member of The Coalition
for Nursing Careers in California—an independent coalition
of health care organizations, hospital administrators, and
nurse educators and faculty working together to address the
long term nursing shortage in California.
“I was asked by the district if I thought a nursing
school would be helpful to the hospital,” says Kresge.
A resounding, Yes! was her answer. “I feel very fortunate
that our progressive Sequoia Healthcare District Board members
embraced a real solution,”adds Kresge, “using
community resources to support a community hospital, ensuring
a rich supply of well educated nurses in the community, is
a dream come true for a nurse executive.”
Kresge talked to potential partners, and finally partnered
with Cañada College in Redwood City, a local community
college, where students will complete their prerequisites.
To complete the Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing, classes
are offered at San Francisco State University. Clinical rotations
are provided by Sequoia Hospital.
The Baccalaureate program is an accelerated program and once
the student has completed the prerequisites, it will take
1 ½ years to complete the program (including summer
session). According to Kresge, 10 out of the 33 students in
the program are men.
Financial assistance is available and Sequoia Hospital offers
forgivable loans for students working a minimum of two years
at Sequoia Hospital.
Kresge wishes to point out that students can apply for the
program with a degree in another field. Students are also
given preferential admission treatment if they live or work
in the Sequoia Healthcare District.
The first class will graduate in May 2006.
Release Date: November 17, 2004
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