State educators seek ways to combat nursing shortage
To help combat the growing registered nurse shortage, a program allowing licensed practical nurses to become full-fledged RNs is currently being developed by state officials.
If met with the approval of the Tennessee Board of Regents and the Tennessee Board of Nursing, the program, to be implemented state-wide, would allow local LPNs to enter the RN program at Motlow Community College and receive credit for their practical experience.
“We have seen the demand for RNs increase over the years, and by providing an avenue for LPNs to earn the RN license, we can help alleviate some of the existing shortage,” said Dr. Abraham Pallas, who last week left as director of the Tennessee Technology Center at McMinnville, the only local institution to offer an LPN program.
Details of such an LPN-RN bridge program, including its curriculum and exactly how much credit LPNs will receive for their experience, have yet to be approved by the state. In the meantime, said Pallas, LPNs can begin individual preparation at the Technology Center to qualify themselves for collegiate courses such as English and mathematics required for an associate’s degree.
He said students under 21 should begin by taking the ACT. Those scoring 19 or higher are qualified for college level work. Those scoring below 19, or who are 21 or over, should take the COMPASS exam, which determines a student’s proficiency in English and math. Those with deficiencies are encouraged take Technology Foundations classes at the center this summer and fall, before retaking the COMPASS exam, which must be passed to enter Motlow.
“Though the bridge program hasn’t been officially proposed yet, we see no reason why students can’t start getting prepared for it now,” said Pallas.
The doctor further noted it is the intention of all involved to have any resulting bridge program classes to be conducted on nights and weekends to allow LPNs to keep their jobs.
“This is going to be a win for everybody,” he said. “It will help the registered nursing shortage and it will in turn open up more LPN positions for our graduates.”
To learn more about the COMPASS exam, contact Motlow at 668-7010. To learn more about the Technology Foundations courses in English and mathematics, contact the Technology Center at 474-TECH.