Over a dozen Valley Children’s nurses are part of the first class of the Advanced Education Pathway Program at Fresno State.
The program is designed to enhance the professional development of nurses and retain highly qualified staff at local hospitals.
The big picture: Fourteen Valley Children’s nurses are part of the 18-month program, the hospital announced on Monday.
- The 18-month Associate of Science in Nursing to Bachelor of Science in Nursing program began this month.
- Valley Children’s funds all of the coursework for the nurses that are part of the pathway program.
- Nurses are able to work at Valley Children’s full-time while participating in the program. They also are paid for allocated study time.
What they’re saying: Vicky Tilton, the hospital’s Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer, said fostering the growth of the hospital’s staff is an integral part of advancing the clinical care that can be provided.
- “This first-of-its-kind partnership with Fresno State will allow our nurses to pursue advanced degrees while continuing to gain valuable clinical experience,” Tilton said.
- Kara Zografos, the Dean of Fresno State’s College of Health and Human Services, added, “Bachelor’s-prepared nurses produce better outcomes in the hospital, including reduced hospital stays and lower rates of readmission. Valley Children’s has a great reputation, and our students want to work there. Our graduating nurses are better equipped to handle the emerging healthcare needs of our diverse region.”
