During the fall of 2019, Paradise Valley Community College was identified to be a part of a Specialty Nursing program for licensed nurses interested in entering the critical care environment or nurses seeking to increase their expertise in critical care. Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) launched the program at GateWay Community College this spring. The training will expand to Paradise Valley Community College and will include a building expansion that will accommodate 250 nursing students and add two 60-seat class labs that can be divided into four 30-seat labs.
“While the building additions are being done at PVCC, we are sharing faculty and using facilities at GateWay Community College,” Director of PVCC’s Nursing Program Nick DeFalco said, “On July 27th they will start their second cohort of the critical care class. This collaborative effort is going very well.”
According to DeFalco, PVCC’s expansion is on track to open in Fall 2021
“We are tentatively scheduled to break ground in September and are on pace to meet the Governor's request to upskill 300 nurses in critical care and telemetry,” DeFalco said.
This specialty nursing program is the result of a $5.8 million budget request approved by the State of Arizona to expand nursing programs at community colleges in partnership with the Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation's Hospital Workforce Collaborative. The Collaborative, comprising nearly every major hospital in the region, recognized the need to address critical shortages and established a partnership with MCCCD.
"We are addressing our region's need for a specialized workforce," said Dr. Steven Gonzales, MCCCD Interim Chancellor. "Equipping our students with the training and credentials the health industry requires, ensures better care for our community."