Canadian Valley Technology Center

PROJECT PURPOSE

Health care leaders warned that hospitals faced a nursing shortage, even before the COVID-19 pandemic. The repeated surges of COVID-19 have made the situation dire. Currently, there are 365 LPN and 89 RN openings in the Canadian Valley Workforce Area alone. CVTech believes that this project proposal will allow us to develop a Fast-Track LPN program that will build a stronger, more innovative, and more diverse workforce while enhancing the capabilities of services for the wellbeing of all citizens, especially the most vulnerable. Through this grant, CVTech will add two PN Instructors, one in Chickasha and one in Yukon, as well as make changes to the course sequencing to allow high school Health Careers students to take PN courses that will be applied once they enroll in the Practical Nursing program as adults. Adding these programs will allow us to train an additional 24 students while better serving our diverse student population that includes students from Chickasha and El Reno, two of Oklahoma?s disproportionately impacted and historically underserved populations and communities. Additionally, CVTech will increase the promotion of the LPN to BSN partnership through SWOSU. The program can be completed in as little as 12 months.

EVIDENCE

As previously mentioned, the nursing shortage has been growing for years due to an aging nursing workforce and early retirements. The global pandemic has only exacerbated the problem. Currently, there are 365 LPN and 89 RN openings in the Canadian Valley Workforce Area. This data comes from a Real-Time Intelligence Report from JobsEQ, which reviews and analyzes active area job postings. OG&E has provided this report, as well as an Occupational Report for LPNs, Industry Spotlight on Health Care and Social Assistance, Economic Overviews, and an Analysis of LPNs in the Canadian Valley Workforce Area.

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

CVTech serves high school and adult students from Canadian and Grady Counties, as well as parts of 6 other counties. CVTech partners with 14 school districts that range from class B to 6A. Both 6A schools that we serve are in the top 8 of the largest high schools in the state. High School students attend at no cost, adults pay low, affordable tuition, and can attend tuition-free if they live within the district and are under the age of 24. Adults can also apply for federal Title IV assistance. The population of the district is currently 167,371, and it is increasing rapidly. Of the total number of PK-12 students in the district, 42.3% are eligible for free and reduced lunch. 9.3% of the overall district population is in poverty. Multiple communities within our district, Bethany, Chickasha, and El Reno have been identified as ?historically underserved, vulnerable and disproportionately impacted?, also known as being within a Qualified Census Tract (QCT). According to the State of Oklahoma 2021 Recovery Plan Performance Report, ?these communities have the prevalence of mental health symptoms, substance abuse, and food and housing insecurity all increased by the pandemic.?

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

CVTech is one of nine Oklahoma entities designated as a Center for Workforce Excellence (CWE), with Healthcare being one of the three focused industries. As a CWE, we have established an executive advisory board that has set measurable goals, in addition to the performance measures that are required by various state agencies. The following data is collected and reviewed annually: Program Enrollment/Retention/Completion, Credentials Earned (such as CNA, AUA, LPN), Related Placement, Wage Data, and Student and Employers Satisfaction. CVTech constantly monitors our programs for efficacy, quality, and success through the use of real-time data dashboards and in-person evaluations.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

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