California, along with many other states, is going through a shortage of nurses, with the need for more nurses increasing by the day.

At EC there is also another problem: Theÿnursing program is one of the biggest programs among many other local community colleges, but it is being threatened by the issue of funding.

“The nursing program every semester is overwhelmed with the number of applications we receive from students interested in the program, but can only accept thirty-six students per semester,” Dr. Kim Baily, Assistant Director of the nursing program, said.

The limited amount of spaces is not due to the students not fulfilling the requirements, but instead it has to do with money.

The nursing program is not able to accept more students due to the limited funding which affects the amount of facilities offered to the program, the number of faculty that can be hired, and the clinical every nursing student must attend in order to graduate, which many students agree on being the reason for the long wait.

“The limited amount of space in the nursing department makes it difficult, especially when every single student is inside the facility,” Raquel Sais, a second semester student of the nursing program, said.

But help has come little by little.

Unlike other semesters, the spring semester has seen the program take 12 extra students, with the help of a bond that was passed recently.

“This bond helped to create the funding not only to accept twelve extra students, but also the college has agreed to hire four more full-time faculty to add to the eight full-time faculty that the program has at the moment,” Baily said.

There is also a grant in place from the state which will help the programÿremodel and maximize its existing place in the Technical Arts Building.

Another development that will help the program is a concept that was worked on during the winter break by Baily, also a professor in the nursing program.

The result will help the program not only expand further in its facilities, but also bring about the development of a new Simulation Lab.

The lab will consist of a special room with equipment and “Sims,” mannequins used in the program to give students a more hands-on learning experience.

The construction of the lab will not only help with the limited amount of space but also alleviate 25 percent of the clinical students must complete while in the program.

Not only will the lab help the learning of the students, but it will also help with the limitation in space each semester due to having more clinics available.

EC follows a very strict list of not only requirements but also curriculum.

In order to be admitted into the program, one must begin by meeting with a nursing counselor who will help the student to apply.

Students must then follow a serious list of requirements that include taking previous classes before applying to attending orientations sessions for prospective students.

In the fall 2008 semester, the nursing program will most likely be administering entrance exams in order to enter the program.

The California Community College Chancellor’s Office just approved this measure that will allow the college to test the students with ATI testing.

“Many students don’t come in with good basic skills in reading, arithmetic, and math, and if you have a student who doesn’t do well they drop out, and that’s a place gone,” Bailey said.

Nevertheless, the program has already seen some benefits, both from the bond that passed and from the department’s diligence in using the money.