Great Plains Technology Center

PROJECT PURPOSE

Licensed Practical Nurses are in high demand in southwest Oklahoma due to people leaving the profession, retirements, a large aging population over 65, and the impact of COVID. The aging population requires an increased level of care. The nursing shortage limits the admission capacity at our local hospitals and long-term care facilities. Through this grant, Great Plains Technology proposes to use funds to renovate existing space on the Lawton Campus and purchase equipment to expand our current Oklahoma Board of Nursing approved, Licensed Practical Nursing program by 10 students. We would use Great Plains Technology Center funds to hire an additional Practical Nursing instructor. The employment in healthcare is projected to grow 16% from 2020 to 2030. We will continue to work closely with health care facilities in Southwest Oklahoma to prepare and train individuals to fill employment gaps. Students may elect to move directly to industry to work in their respective field with skills and certifications earned through GPTC or go on to earn their Associates of Applied Science and become an RN. This training and career pathway will assist in meeting this increasing demand both now and in the future.

EVIDENCE

Practical Nurses are needed as evidence by the negative impact of COVID-19 on the staffing needs of healthcare systems and early retirements from nursing. More than ¬Ω nurses are 50yrs and older according to the HHS Community Profile Report. From 2017-2019 our school turned away over 100 qualified applicants annually due to shortages of faculty, classroom space, and equipment. The Oklahoma Department State of Health Report indicated the health professional shortage in Comanche county between 17-22%, among the highest levels in the state. Covid-19 has lead to the burnout of nurses and this initiative will fill these crucial positions.

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

The pandemic disproportionately impacted the poverty-stricken areas and lead to the shutdown of many of the places that our prospective students worked, leaving them no access to income and employment opportunities. Many of our adult students have no income or are low income and on federal assistance. The unemployment claim rate increased by 818% in Oklahoma in May 2020. If funded, adults will be able to attend a program that will improve their employability and help them become financially stable. We offer low, affordable tuition rates and students can apply for federal assistance such as Pell Grants and VA Benefits. Students can also apply for a Great Plains Technology Center Foundation Grant or a GPTC Next Step Scholarship that assists in covering a large portion of the tuition expenses. This allows us to serve a population in which continuing education would be financially not feasible. By increasing training for healthcare providers in southwest Oklahoma, there would be increased access to healthcare and stronger health outcomes for individuals who live in the region.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

Great Plains Technology Center collects key performance and target indicators for all programs. Student outcomes are reported annually to the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and the Oklahoma Board of Nursing. Student follow up data is collected with each PN class cohort and is reported to the Oklahoma State Department of Career and Technology Education. Indicators such as student retention, student completion, student certification/licensure attainment, salary, and student satisfaction is collected and maintained by faculty. Student performance and outcomes will be monitored by administration throughout the project and reported when requested.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

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