Media Contact: Jane HongTelephone: (310) 423-3510
EMBARGOED UNTIL MAY 2, 2002
LOS ANGELES, CA (May 2, 2002) -- To assure the availability of a qualified nursing force, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center announces the creation of the Institute for Professional Nursing Development. Nursing and labor shortages is one of the most significant issues facing healthcare organizations across the country and across the continuum of care. California ranks 49th in the nation in terms of the number of registered nurses per capita and the statewide nursing vacancy rate averages between 15-20 percent.
Today, healthcare providers are developing innovative strategies and collaboratives relative to nursing. Cedars-Sinai conducts extensive outreach activities to increase the number of individuals entering nursing. Under the Institute for Professional Nursing Development, the Cedars-Sinai will specifically increase the number of graduates with Bachelor of Science degrees in Nursing through a partnership with California State University, Los Angeles (CSULA). Cedars-Sinai will support the expansion of CSULA's Nursing Program by funding 20 additional students throughout the students' three-year educational program. In addition, clinical rotations of nursing students will be completed at the Medical Center. "With the creation of a world-class nursing institute, we are working to increase the pool of qualified nurses. Our partnership with CSULA is one example of how we are working to better meet the health needs of our communities," says Thomas M. Priselac, president and CEO of Cedars-Sinai.
Susan Kang is a junior in the Nursing Program at CSULA who will be completing her rotations at Cedars-Sinai. An enthusiastic student, Susan comes from a family of nurses and has done volunteer work at hospitals. "I've wanted to be a nurse since I was little," says Susan. "I feel really lucky that I'm able to start my coursework this semester rather than waiting until next year because of the expanded nursing program under Cedars-Sinai and CSULA."
One of only a handful of professional nursing institutes in the nation, the Cedars-Sinai Institute for Professional Nursing Development's collaboration with CSULA is one of several educational and workforce initiatives currently being implemented. The Institute will provide education and training to increase the number of registered nurses prepared to provide specialty and critical care nursing to impact clinical staffing level. "In addition to clinical and specialty training, the Institute will offer customer service and satisfaction training to further enhance customer relations and to better meet the changing needs of patients and families," says Linda Burnes Bolton, DrPH, RN, Cedars-Sinai vice-president and chief nursing executive.
Finally, the Institute for Professional Nursing Development provides a research component to improve the quality of nursing care through research and innovation. The Scholarship and Innovation Program of the Institute will support advance practice nurses and other caregivers in conducting joint medical and nursing research to improve clinical outcomes. "The Institute's education and development programs supports our ongoing efforts to reward and retain nurses at Cedars-Sinai," says Dr. Burnes Bolton.
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, the largest nonprofit hospital in the Western United States, has been recognized for nursing excellence with the 2000 Magnet Hospital Recognition Award. Developed by the American Nursing Credentialing Center, the nation's leading nursing credentialing organization, the Magnet Award provides national recognition to the highest level of nursing services. Cedars-Sinai is one of only 47 acute care facilities in the United States that has received this prestigious award. In addition, the Cedars Sinai Department of Nursing Research and Development houses the California Nursing Outcomes Coalition's data repository which collects and analyzes data to assist institutions in improving patient safety and performance. Cedars-Sinai's chief nursing executive and vice-president, Linda Burnes Bolton, DrPH, RN, is a national expert on nursing and nurse-staffing. Most recently, she was appointed to the National Advisory Council on Nurse Education and Practice by Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson.
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