Citrus College Makes Significant Impact on Health Care Industry

Citrus College Clerk/Secretary Ortell poses in one of the college's high-tech simulation and skills labs.

By Dr. Edward C. Ortell, Citrus College Governing Board Member

For more than 50 years, Citrus College has played an important role in the San Gabriel Valley's health care industry. From dental assistants to emergency medical technicians, the college's health sciences programs have produced thousands of professionals who use their skill and knowledge to care for local residents. Citrus College's nursing programs have proven especially prolific, with graduates gaining employment at hospitals, rehabilitation facilities and skilled nursing centers throughout the region.

With a nationwide nursing shortage making national headlines for over a decade, the college's commitment to providing students with a sound nursing education is particularly noteworthy. Citrus College currently offers three nursing career pathways: an associate degree in nursing (ADN) program, a licensed vocational nursing (LVN) program, and a certified nursing assistant (CNA) program. Each option includes instruction provided by knowledgeable faculty members, guidance from a full-time nursing counselor and hands-on experiences in a state-of-the-art skills lab and simulation lab.

Another characteristic of Citrus College's nursing programs are the strong partnerships they have with clinical affiliates. Formal relationships have been established with a number of care facilities throughout the area. Soon, a new partner will be in our own backyard – the college is currently working on establishing a clinical agreement with Methodist Hospital in Arcadia.

These partnerships are just one way that Citrus College demonstrates its commitment to the achievement of its nursing students. A variety of resources are available to ensure that every student accomplishes their goals. As a result, the nursing programs have experienced impressive success rates. In fact, the board licensure pass rates for the ADN, LVN and CNA programs are all 90 percent or higher.

Of course, Citrus College is concerned about more than pass rates. In recent years, the college has made a concerted effort to encourage its nursing students to think past their community college education. When a 2010 report from the Institute of Medicine recommended that nurses achieve additional education and training, higher education institutions throughout the United States accepted the challenge to increase the number of nurses who have earned a bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN).

Citrus College has taken steps to promote a seamless academic progression from an ADN to a BSN. Articulation agreements have been established between the college and several four-year institutions with BSN programs. In addition, the college began hosting the RN to BSN/MSN Fair in 2013. Designed to provide articulation information from local colleges and universities that offer bachelor's degrees and master's degrees in nursing, the RN to BSN/MSN Fair introduces students to a variety of options for pursuing higher education in nursing.

Richard Medina, a Duarte High School graduate who is currently studying to be a registered nurse at Citrus College, attended last year's fair. He believes the event, as well as the other resources provided by the Citrus College's nursing program, have helped him make important decisions about his future. "I knew I wanted a career that would allow me to make a difference in the lives of others, and nursing does this," he said. "My ultimate goal is to earn a bachelor's degree in nursing from California State University, Long Beach."

Medina and other Citrus College students who choose to pursue a BSN are more marketable when entering the workplace. With nearly 3 million jobs nationwide and job growth at 15 percent, the employment outlook for registered nurses is incredibly positive. That said, those holding bachelor of science degrees in nursing will have an even greater advantage when seeking employment.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a shortage of more than one million registered nurses by the year 2022. As the senior board member on the Citrus Community College District Board of Trustees, I am proud of the college's success at producing health care professionals; particularly, registered nurses. I am certain that Citrus College's impact on the health care industry in Duarte, Arcadia, Covina and beyond will be felt for years to come.