The Arkansas Health Care Association (AHCA) cut the ribbon in Little Rock Wednesday (June 18) on one of its three new schools designated to develop a deeper workforce pool for the nursing home industry. The program is the first of its kind in the U.S.
More than 75 people, including two dozen state legislators, attended the celebration as they gathered in the downtown Little Rock facility which will host the central Arkansas cohort of LPN students, who will be working towards earning advanced nursing licenses. The initial phase of the program also includes locations in Rogers and Jonesboro.
Through the program, Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) within member AHCA facilities can take courses to advance to a MA-C (medication assistant-certified) role. Then, MA-Cs can apply to the AHCA School of Nursing to become an LPN LPN (licensed practical nurse).
The industry as a whole is in need of more nurses at every level, but it’s particularly difficult with work schedules for a CNA to earn an advanced certification. The average pay for a CNA in Arkansas is roughly $17.13 per hour. An MA-C makes $20.07 per hour, and an LPN earns $29.60 per hour.
Attendees heard remarks from Rachel Bunch, President of AHCA School of Nursing; Lt. Governor Leslie Rutledge; Speaker of the House Rep. Brian Evans, R-Cabot; and Arkansas Senate President Bart Hester, R-Cave Springs. Also speaking were Bonnie Casey, Associate Director of Arkansas Office of Skills Development, and Dr. Chris Lorch, Ozarka College Provost.
“We are proud to lead the nation with this innovative initiative. Our program creates a structured advancement path for members of the AHCA School of Nursing consortium, and will help fill the critical gap in LPN staffing within nursing facilities in Arkansas,” said Bunch. “The launch of our nursing school is the result of years of diligent planning and support from our state legislators. We are thrilled to offer this program to the hard-working employees in member facilities who seek higher education opportunities.”
Roughly 93% of Medication Assistant-Certified staffers (MA-Cs) have expressed interest in advancing their nursing careers, but only 5.8% do so. Scheduling conflicts and financial constraints are major factors in this statistic. The AHCA School of Nursing directly addresses these hurdles by offering flexible scheduling and affordable tuition subsidized through public and private funding.
The Health Resources and Services Administration projects that by 2037 there will only be enough LPNs across the U.S. to meet 64% of the need. In Arkansas, a growing population of seniors emphasizes the need for long-term sustainability to support our older generations. Statewide, Arkansans over 60 are projected to make up more than 26% of the population by 2030 – up from 20.9% in 2012.
“Addressing the nursing shortage is about so much more than filling jobs – it’s about enhancing the quality of life for Arkansans,” said House Speaker Brian Evans. “I’m proud to support innovative, problem-solving solutions like the AHCA School of Nursing, which will make a positive impact on the dedicated staff members within nursing facilities and the patients and families who rely on them for care.”
“State legislators who champion our mission make it possible to ensure nursing facility residents receive the high-quality care they deserve,” added Bunch. “Their continued dedication to addressing the critical nursing shortage is a win for all Arkansans.”
Before being admitted into the AHCA School of Nursing, LPN students passed pre-requisite courses provided through Ozarka College. Between the three campuses, there will be 71 students in the first year with classes beginning in June.
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