East Central University

PROJECT PURPOSE

The purpose of the project is to build a nursing building on the East Central University campus in Ada, OK. This would allow the university to expand the nursing program to accept more students. This would allow us to produce more nurses to meet the nursing shortage in the State of Oklahoma.

EVIDENCE

There is a nursing shortage in Oklahoma. Per articles that I have read and discussions with our local health care facilities, there is at least a 20% nursing shortage in state hospitals and then on top of that a 50% turnover rate. This is forcing state health care facilities to rely on agency nurses to fill the gap.

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

This program will serve a population of students desiring to become a nurse in an affordable, conducive environment. Beyond the traditional, ECU serves a great number of Native American, International, and non-traditional students from all over Oklahoma. Our students go on to assist communities in need of healthcare services in Oklahoma, all over the U.S. and Internationally. Many also continue to pursue higher degrees to broaden that scope even further. Our communities have been greatly impacted by the pandemic, seeing a greater need for nurses at the bedside and practitioner level, as many leave the field. As of the FYTD 2021 the number of RN/LPN renewal applications was down 2,311, and RN applications were down 113 (OBN FY2021 Quarterly Statistics Report). The average age of the RN in Oklahoma is 46, LPN is 44 (OBN FY 2020 Annual Report). The ability to expand enrollment and grow the program at ECU will allow an increase in well-prepared nurses to serve Oklahoma.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

We would measure project performance through the expansion of the BSN nursing program on the East Central University campus. We would collect the data by showing the increased number of students that we are able to accept in our nursing program, and also by showing the increased number of graduates that we are putting to work in local hospitals in the State of Oklahoma.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

One-time project will not need continued funding