NW Valley Times

The Community College District in Maricopa County (MCCCD) has started a Critical Care Nursing program, designed for licensed nurses who are inspired and want to enter the critical care environment. 

GateWay Community College launched the program Feb. 3. The critical care training will also include Paradise Valley Community College starting in May 2020. The program will be made available to other MCCCD colleges by fall.

MCCCD critical care programs will educate over 700 registered nurses by 2021. 

Dr. Steven Gonzales, MCCCD Interim Chancellor, said they are addressing the "need for specialized professionals." He also said the program will equip nurses with the specialized training they need to succeed in the critical care field.

“We are addressing our region’s need for a specialized workforce,” Gonzales said, according to the Greater Phoenix Chamber. “By equipping our students with the training and credentials, the health industry requires, ensures better care for our community."

The Maricopa College specialty program is the result of a budget request totaling $5.8 million, which was approved by the State of Arizona. The request was approved to educate nurses at community colleges. The budget approval includes a partnership with the Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation’s Hospital Workforce Collaborative.

The collaborative confirms critical shortages in critical care nurses and is composed of nearly every major hospital in Arizona. Each hospital established a partnership with MCCCD.

Todd Sanders, president and CEO of the Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation, highlighted the importance of supporting the Phoenix healthcare ecosystem. He also described the purpose of the program in great detail.

“If we want the Greater Phoenix region to be recognized as a world-class healthcare hub, then we need to support our healthcare ecosystem,” Sanders said. “MCCCD’s efforts to respond to critical needs in our community by innovating and developing education-based solutions are fostering our region’s healthcare ecosystem. More importantly, though, this work is directly supporting local employers by strengthening talent pipelines."