RCRC supports Assembly Bill 2104, authored by Assembly Member Esmeralda Soria (D-Fresno). This measure would direct the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges to establish a pilot program to allow up to 15 community college districts to offer a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.
Rural areas with smaller populations that are farther from urban centers often have the lowest supply of health professionals per capita. Additionally, California does not have a high concentration of the four-year universities needed for graduate degree health professionals; however, often these communities have access to community college programs.
A recent study by the Healthforce Center at the University of California, San Francisco, which examines the healthcare workforce landscape in RCRC and the County Medical Services program (CMSP) counties, found that the Imperial Valley (Imperial), North Central region (Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Tehama), and the San Joaquin Valley (Kings, Madera, Merced, Tulare) sub-regions have the lowest ratios of RNs per capita in the state.
To meet our nursing workforce needs and extend these career opportunities to Californians throughout the state, the role of California’s community college system must expand to offer a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. AB 2104 will expand the affordability of and access to these degrees. It will also demonstrate the feasibility of future expansion to additional community college districts.
RCRC’s letter of support can be found here. For additional information, contact RCRC Policy Advocate, Sarah Dukett.