MCCCD Launches Specialty Nursing Program to Create a More Highly Qualified Workforce

The Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) has launched a Critical Care Nursing program for licensed nurses who are interested in entering the critical care environment or nurses who seek to increase their expertise in critical care. The program launched at GateWay Community College on February 3, 2020. The training will expand to Paradise Valley Community College in May and is expected to expand to other MCCCD campuses by Fall 2020. MCCCD specialty nursing programs will train over 700 new specialty and registered nurses in the next year. 

"We are addressing our region's need for a specialized workforce," said Dr. Steven Gonzales, MCCCD Interim Chancellor. "By equipping our students with the training and credentials, the health industry requires, ensures better care for our community."

The Maricopa Community College's specialty nursing program is the result of a $5.8 million budget request approved by the State of Arizona to expand nursing programs at community colleges in partnership with the Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation's Hospital Workforce Collaborative. The Collaborative recognized the need to address critical shortages and comprised of nearly every major hospital in the region, established a partnership with MCCCD. The Collaborative conducted multiple curriculum reviews for critical care training, provides ongoing program evaluation, and designs ways to operationalize external training for existing employees that can transcend throughout different specialty areas.

"If we want the Greater Phoenix region to be recognized as a world-class health care hub, then we need to support our health care ecosystem," said Todd Sanders, President, and CEO of the Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation. "MCCCD's efforts to respond to critical needs in our community by innovating and developing education-based solutions is fostering our region's health care ecosystem. More importantly though, this work is directly supporting local employers by strengthening talent pipelines."

According to a recent survey of the Valley's major healthcare providers and supporting market data, 20,508 openings for nurses are projected by 2025. Arizona is expected to experience a 23 percent growth in demand for specialized nursing. Employers are looking for Registered Nurses to fill these positions, and the Maricopa Community Colleges are providing opportunities for students to get upskilled in specialty areas. Courses include basic anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology, as well as disease management for the following systems: cardiac, respiratory, neuroscience, gastrointestinal, renal, endocrine and hematology, hemodynamics, and ventilator management. 

For more information, please visit the RN Specialty Training website here.