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Baker fights nursing shortage
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Monday, April 9, 2007 10:20 AM EDT
Argus-Press Photo by Anthony Cepak Nursing students, from the left, Gay Johnson, Jenny Listeman and Brian Gohs simulate tracheotomy care in the nursing lab at Baker College of Owosso.
Michigan is hoping to increase the numbers of nurses in the state, as many anticipate a growing nursing shortage over the next few years. Baker College is part of the effort to offset the shortage by offering nursing programs to students interested in entering the field.
The nursing program is in its fourth year at Baker College of Owosso; Baker College of Flint began its nursing program the same year. Baker's first nursing program began at its Clinton Township campus in 2000 before the Owosso and Flint nursing schools were established.
Baker's nursing program is growing. Muskegon opened a nursing program on its campus last fall and Baker College of Cadillac begins its nursing program this spring - its program now is only a few days old.
Baker of Owosso offers associate's degrees, providing graduates with an RN in nursing. The Auburn Hills campus offers a LPN certificate. The other four campuses offer associate degrees.
Baker of Owosso and Flint both received eight-year approvals last summer.
The board of nursing had given initial approval to those programs two years earlier.
“When we graduated our second class, we submitted a final self-study,” said Mary Slingerland, associate dean and director of the nursing program in Owosso.
A similar process will take place in another eight years to gain yet another eight-year approval status.
“It is an extensive process,” said Slingerland. “It is not easy to get approval - and for good reasons. Nursing is a licensed program. The state approves and scrutinizes each program.”
Slingerland also said a lot of schools have waiting lists, but Baker College of Owosso is not among them.
“It takes a lot to maintain those lists and be certain that all courses are up-to-date,” Slingerland said. “We don't have a waiting list. We have about 60 students apply each application period, and we take in about half that. Students not accepted can continue to apply.”
Slingerland said that finding adequate clinical sites creates hurdles for nursing programs such as Baker's.
“We see downsizing in the number of people staying in hospitals,” said Slingerland. “Most hospital procedures are done as outpatient or on an ambulatory care basis.”
She said that cuts in mental health reimbursements also mean less hospital stays, again negatively affecting availability of clinical sites for nursing school programs.
“Our biggest problem is finding the clinical space we need,” she said.
In spite of that challenge, Owosso's nursing program has doubled since it was initiated. Baker of Owosso currently accepts 30 students each during its fall and winter terms. Future expansion is being explored.
“We are trying to respond to the need as we are able to identify clinical sites,” aid Slingerland.
Slingerland attributes part of the growing shortage of nurses to attitude changes about nursing.
“In the '70s, nursing was considered a good thing to do,” said Slingerland. “Then there was a gap of about 15 years that there wasn't a lot done to try to enhance nursing as a career field.”
Baker's nursing program sees some displaced workers - as well as some males - entering the nursing program.
She said that employers may offer incentives for nursing graduates.
“Our students tell me that many have jobs before they graduate, and our graduates have a 99 to 100 percent employment rate,” she said.
