Program to target nurses, teachers shortage

Diana Sahagun

Monday, Aug. 26, 2002 | 10:38 a.m.

City officials hope a program currently being developed will boost the number of licensed practical nurses, who are desperately needed in local hospitals.

Originally proposed in response to layoffs after Sept. 11, the city of Las Vegas program would also train teachers and nonviolent felons who might otherwise be out of work.

Funding comes from a $1.75 million grant secured by Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., in January.

The city had hoped to receive the funding shortly after Reid's announcement, but due to bureaucratic delays, the money is not expected to reach Nevada workers until January 2003.

The money had been earmarked to help workers who were laid off after Sept. 11, but city officials learned that the program would not be permitted to duplicate services already being offered through the Southern Nevada Workforce Investment Board.

That group has received nearly $8 million in federal funds since Sept. 11 to assist displaced workers.

Deputy City Manager Betsy Fretwell said the program allows the city to build on its relationship with the board to help those who might be vulnerable in their current jobs if the economy were to sag, she said.

"What this money is intended to be used for," Fretwell said, "is to help people get into more secure positions and to help some of our most needy employment areas like teaching and nursing become stronger."

The program, which was presented to City Council on Wednesday, aims to provide additional training and education for entry-level workers to move them into more stable jobs.

The program has three components: medical, teaching and vocational opportunities for nonviolent felons.

The nursing component would encourage nontraditional students to enroll in the licensed practical nursing program at Community College of Southern Nevada by offering breaks on tuition and books.

City officials say they hope to provide enough funds to double the number of students admitted into the program each year -- to about 48, up from 24.

Licensed practical nurses are in high demand to staff clinics and hospitals, said Shirlee Snyder, CCSN nursing program director.

Hospitals that previously hired only registered nurses are now turning to licensed practical nurses because of the area's nursing shortage, she said.

Unlike certified nursing assistants, a licensed practical nurse can administer medications, start certain intravenous lines and perform more complicated nursing duties.

Although more than 52 people applied for admission to the program last year, the college can admit only 24 students each year because of a lack of resources, Snyder said.

Sharon Segerblom, the city's neighborhood services director, said the program would target people who may not have the time or resources to go through the four-year registered nursing program. It takes two years to become a licensed practical nurse.

"Anything the city can do to help is wonderful," Snyder said. "It will really help the community."

The second component addresses the Clark County School District's teacher shortage, specifically bilingual education and secondary math or science teachers.

With the city's help, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas would offer a new program that would make it easier for teachers to get licensed. The program would target people with a noneducation bachelor's degree who are interested in teaching English as a Second Language classes, math or science.

The university program would take one year and students would receive breaks in tuition and book costs.

Lina Gutierrez, executive director of licensed personnel for the School District, said it is extremely hard nationwide to attract bilingual elementary teachers, special education teachers, and math and science teachers.

Greg Levitt, professor and department chairman of curriculum and instruction at UNLV, said the program would appeal to students who can't go through a traditional two to three-year program because of family commitments or a lack of parental support.

The program would also be attractive to people who may be working in a field they don't enjoy, but can't afford to take time off to change careers, he added.

"The basic idea is to develop a program that produces high-quality teachers in a short amount of time," Levitt said.

The final component of the city's program would create educational and vocational opportunities for nonviolent felons released from prison.

In Nevada, more than 4,000 offenders are released from prison each year. According to the Nevada Department of Corrections, 65 percent of the inmates return to the Las Vegas Valley. The inmates return to jail at an estimated rate of 70 percent.

In partnership with the Department of Corrections, the city would set up a one-stop site to provide referrals and services after the offenders' release from prison.

Jackie Crawford, director of corrections, said such services after release are nearly nonexistent.

"Right now when our inmates get out (of prison) they really don't have a place to go," she said. "The assistance in providing them some counseling, I think, will enhance their opportunity for success."