Southeastern Oklahoma State University

PROJECT PURPOSE

Oklahoma has an overwhelming need for healthcare workers. In order to address this need, our state?s regional universities must step up. Southeastern Oklahoma State University seeks to develop a program to provide additional health care professional for our state. This initiative will be based in partnerships with other state higher education institutions, local health care providers, the state health department, and potentially our university tribal partners. This initiative will be rooted in a joint nursing program delivered in Durant in collaboration with Murray State College to produce graduates with RN and BSN degrees. These degrees will support further growth in health-related degrees on both the bachelors and master?s levels. These outcomes may include; RN-BSN ? Nursing, MSN ? Nursing Leadership, MSN ? Nurse Educator, MS ? Health Science, MS ? Health Administration, and MS - Community Health. This initiative will one-time funding for equipment and building renovations to the current Science and Biology Buildings on the Southeastern campus where the programs will be housed. As we emerge from the effects of the pandemic and the challenges that it has presented for our healthcare industry, it is time for Southeastern Oklahoma State to make a commitment to better support those that provide healthcare services to Oklahomans.

EVIDENCE

The state has an estimated pre-COVID shortage of 5,000 nurses. As of October 19, 2021, 34% of hospitals across Oklahoma now have staff shortages according to an Oct. 15 report from the White House, CDC, and other federal agencies. This number is trending upward over the last few weeks, and the states 712 nurses per 100,000 residents, is below the national average of 1,100. This shortage is leading to longer hours and burnout that is worsening the problem. Providers in Oklahoma estimate that 20% of the vacancy rate in the state could be filled immediately if qualified employees were available.

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

Southeastern Oklahoma State University, a Native American Serving Non-Tribal institution, serves many Native American Students through its main campus in Durant. By any measure, health care for Native Americans lags behind other groups. This is even more of a challenge among citizens of rural counties like those that Southeastern serves. Rural counties suffered significantly higher death rates from the coronavirus in the six months from August through February. In early January, 95 percent of these counties were seeing 100 cases or more per 100,000 people, designated by the White House coronavirus task force as being in a COVID-19 case ?red-zone.? Many theorize that this problem was a result of the ongoing issues of recruiting healthcare workers to rural communities. A problem that has been ongoing in rural areas and has now become a greater challenge during the pandemic. Cases of COVID and other ongoing health issues in rural communities have been connected to limited access to care,

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

Southeastern Oklahoma State University will measure project performance per the Compliance and Reporting Guidance, that includes, as appropriate, interim reporting, expenditure reports, and performance reports. The University will also measure the ongoing success and effectiveness of the program through the institution?s normal accreditation and programmatic review process. Because this one-time expenditure request supports the launch of a new academic program at Southeastern, the academic program review will guide the development of the programs on a continuous basis. This process will evaluate the status, effectiveness, and progress, and help identify future direction, needs, and priorities as they relate to student success.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

Able to continue operation without additional funding from the State of Oklahoma