Connors State College

PROJECT PURPOSE

The purpose of the project design is to improve healthcare outcomes for Oklahoma residents with an emphasis on increasing nursing education access for rural students and creating an evening/flexible schedule option for individuals already working within the field through the provision of career ladder opportunities. Increasing faculty, providing required technology and supporting capacity expansion will allow for the program to double the number of first year students enrolled. Increased enrollment will contribute to more graduates and more available nurses within the region. Connors State College provides pre-nursing courses on the Warner and Muskogee Campuses with the Muskogee Campus and Tahlequah satellite housing the ADN program. The Nursing Department has met the rigorous requirements in order to be awarded accreditation by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Successful graduates are eligible to participate in the licensure examination required to become a Registered Nurse (RN). There is a flexible option for students that are already licensed practical nurses (LPN). Connors State College has provided stability within the healthcare field by providing access for interested students to achieve their goal of a nursing career since the program began in 1984. Since that time 1799 students have graduated the program.

EVIDENCE

The National Advisory Council on Nurse Education and Practice (NACNEP) presented increased faculty retention rates and educational expansion as tools for combating the national nursing shortage in a report presented to congress in December of 2020. The findings are in line with current trends within the field and support program objectives aimed at increasing faculty retention. The report further found that increasing student engagement improved outcomes. Providing students with adequate technology resources and equipment in our will help to increase student retention and subsequently increase the number of available RNs within the state.

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

Racial identity, socioeconomic status and education levels all impact health outcomes. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the existing disparities across Oklahoma. Nearly 40% of the population identifies as a member of a racial or ethnic minority group and over 14% of individuals falling below the poverty line which results in increased barriers for access to healthcare and a disproportionate level of negative COVID impacts. Research demonstrates health disparities in COVID-19 outcomes in the U.S., with members of racial and ethnic minority groups experiencing higher risks of COVID-19 positivity and disease severity. Further, socioeconomic and racial disparities in access to affordable healthcare options limit prevention education and treatment options for COVID-19, as well as many other chronic health conditions. Individuals identifying as white in Oklahoma are more likely to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 whereas Hispanics and Native Americans are over represented in the number of positive COVID-19 cases in the state. Increasing the number of nursing degree program graduates in Oklahoma aligns directly with the state?s efforts to improve health outcomes and health equity for its citizens. Connors State College has previously been designated as a Native American Serving Non-tribal Institution due to the high percentage of Native American enrollment.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

Data will be collected from employment records to indicate retention rates for students and faculty members. Additionally, measures commonly used by the Board of Nursing will be collected including graduation rates, NCLEX pass rates and employment rates for Connors State College nursing graduates. Student demographic data will be collected upon application for graduation and students will be surveyed. Reporting will be completed on an annual basis and will be provided to the House and Senate Fiscal offices for review.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

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