The college will receive a $100,000 donation from Providence Centralia Hospital. Half of the money will start the Sister Carolyn Koreski Scholarship fund, to support nursing students each year.
“We have a great relationship with the college and we want to continue and expand the relationship,” said Providence Public relations Director Chris Thomas. “We really value the program, and having the nurses during rotation. It’s a win-win.”
The other $50,000 will buy equipment for the New Science Center. Although the money is not going directly to the Nursing Department, the department is located on the top floor of the science center.
“The program has meant a lot to us at the hospital,” he said. “And now was a good time for the hospital to make that donation.”
Currently, 56 students are enrolled in the two-year nursing program. Half are in the LPN year, and the other half are enrolled in the RN year.
“We have always received a lot of support from Centralia Providence. We have close ties with the hospital,” said Nursing Director Nola Ormrod, R.N., M.S.N. “It certainly benefits all students as well as nursing students.”
Although there is such a high demand for nurses, the college nursing program is always full.
“There is a projected 6,000 nurse shortage. There is no way there will be enough nurses going through school,” said Nursing Assistant Professor Karen Grefe, R.N, M.N. “One of the things that regulate the program is the Nursing Commission through the state, and they set a student to faculty ratio. “
The nursing faculty informally promotes the program, but there is not official recruiting.
“We can’t admit a boundless amount of students here. Our ratio is eight to one. That really limits us in terms of the program,” said Grefe. “We have 200 plus advisees, counting students already in the program and people just in their pre requisites.”
The scholarship donation will help students, who are already accepted into the nursing program, to continue their school and manage their finances, she said.
“Maybe they won’t have to work while going to school,” said Nursing Assistant Professor Sheri Keahey, R.N, M.S.N.
The nursing program is a very demanding one, and requires much time and effort.
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