Expanded nursing program expected to impact region’s healthcare

CSU Monterey Bay is increasing the size and lowering the cost of its Bachelor of Science in Nursing program in an effort to make a greater impact on healthcare in the Monterey region. 

“Access to healthcare is one of the most important indicators of quality of life,” said CSUMB President Vanya Quiñones. “At CSUMB, we are doing what we can to ensure we have an educational pipeline to service local hospitals and medical clinics, and to teach the next generation of nursing students.”

Those students are badly needed. The number of newly trained nurses each year is not expected to keep up with demand over the next several years. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the RN workforce will grow from 3.1 million in 2021 to 3.3 million in 2031, an increase of 195,400 nurses. It also projects 203,200 openings for RNs each year through 2031 when nurse retirements and workforce exits are factored in.

Historically, Monterey County has underserved regions when it comes to healthcare. 

“Our program aims to recruit those who live in the region and want to serve their communities,” said Alyssa Erikson, chair of the Department of Nursing. “We want to strengthen the ability to provide culturally and linguistically relevant care, especially in the underserved areas of South Monterey County.” 

CSUMB is one of the only universities in the five counties along California’s central coast to offer a BSN program. Studies have shown that healthcare facilities with a higher ratio of BSN-trained nurses have better patient outcomes. Students in the program have gone on to find success in the field. Nearly every hospital between Santa Cruz and Santa Barbara has a CSUMB nursing graduate on staff, according to Erikson. 

Bernadette Villarreal received her BSN from CSUMB in 2018, but has been a hospital-based nurse at Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula since 1994. 

“I recently taught at MPC during the fall of 2022 as an OB clinical instructor and fell in love with teaching” Villareal said. “I’m enrolled in an online [master’s] program to become a nurse educator because I’ve found a new passion in nursing. I am so excited for the future and cannot wait to help inspire and teach the future generation of nurses.”

CSUMB’s BSN program began in 2012 as a self-support program that allowed students who had completed an associate degree in nursing to take three to five additional semesters of coursework to earn their bachelor’s degree. 

This fall, the program is being moved to a state-funded model to lower the cost of attendance. Students have been able to apply for the Gambord Nursing Scholarship through Community Foundation of Monterey County – those scholarships range from $5,000 to $17,000. The shift to a state-funded model will open other avenues of financial aid. Program cost is one of the top concerns nurses with associate degrees cite in not continuing their studies. 

In 2024, a spring admission cycle will be initiated in order to allow more students access to a BSN. This admission cycle is perfect for graduating RNs and second-year associate degree nurses who want to continue their educations.

As they do, they may find the kind of fulfillment graduates such as Francisco Fabian Curiel have found.  

“To me being a nurse brings so much joy to my life,” Curiel said. “I honestly love what I do for patients and their families. Now I have been able to work towards my BSN and have been a good role model for my two sons and my nieces and nephews.”

Students wanting more information about the program can complete an interest form.