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Opinion
By:
Dr. Lorraine Prinsky, President, Coast Community College District Board of Trustees; Professor Emeritus, California State University, Fullerton
Dr. Alice Martanegara, Associate Dean and Director of Nursing, Golden West College
Golden West College is ready to play a part in resolving the shortage of nurses. As hospitals in Orange County continue to contend with high nursing vacancy rates following the COVID-19 pandemic, the California State Legislature is poised to pass Senate Bill 895, vital legislation that would make Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degrees more accessible through the creation of a BSN Pilot Program in 15 community college districts across the state. Golden West College aspires to be one of those selected by the California Community College Chancellor to participate in this pilot program.
We support this legislation because it promises to alleviate the statewide nursing shortage and bridge the gap between the industry's growing preference for BSN degrees and the limited space in nursing programs at public universities, which are the most affordable option for many aspiring nurses. This issue is particularly pressing in Orange County where nine hospitals have achieved "Magnet Recognition" from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, widely considered the gold standard for professional nursing practice. To qualify for Magnet Recognition, hospitals must show that 100% of nurse leaders have a baccalaureate degree or higher.
However, nursing programs at public universities in Southern California are heavily impacted. In 2022-2023, less than 8% of applicants to a public university BSN program in the Los Angeles/Orange County area were accepted. This is equivalent to roughly 700 enrolled students out of more than 9,000 qualified applicants (source: CA Board of Registered Nursing).
Those unable to secure a spot at a public university often turn to private institutions, resulting in substantial student debt. For example, a for-profit institution with one of the state's largest nursing programs charges approximately $146,000 for a BSN degree. This high cost can be prohibitive for low-income communities and may explain why some communities of color are underrepresented in the nursing profession. In California, Hispanics and Latinos make up 40% of the population, but only 9% of the Registered Nurse workforce (source: University of San Francisco).
Golden West College is uniquely positioned to help address this problem. GWC's School of Nursing is an excellent candidate for the SB895 pilot program due to its existing framework for a BSN through a Concurrent Enrollment Program (CEP) with California State University, San Bernardino. This program allows students to earn credits for both their Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and BSN simultaneously, significantly reducing tuition costs.
Moreover, GWC's nursing program has demonstrated its capacity for growth and success. In 2023, the California State Board of Nursing approved an expansion of annual program enrollment from 120 to 200 students. Additionally, 99% of GWC nursing students pass the state licensure exam (NCLEX) with a score above 90%.
Golden West is also developing a pipeline of nursing students through its Running Start to Nursing dual enrollment program at Westminster High School. This initiative allows high school students to take nursing pre-requisite classes for free starting in 10th grade, significantly accelerating their path to a nursing career. A recent grant from CalOptima will help expand this program to other local high schools.
GWC nursing students benefit from state-of-the-art classrooms and labs, including a Simulation Center with high-tech patient care manikins and augmented reality equipment. As the nursing program has expanded, GWC has hired new faculty with doctorate degrees in diverse nursing specialties.
We know that Golden West College is ready to take on the challenge of graduating students with a BSN degree. Establishing a BSN program at GWC would address workforce shortages, provide affordable education for underserved students and help local hospitals maintain the excellent standard of care for which Orange County is known.
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