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News release: Colorado - Denver/BoulderFebruary 19, 2004 For more information, call: Physician commitment launches nursing program at Metro State College Denver, CO – Physician commitment to help tackle the nursing shortage inspired a new nursing program at Metropolitan State College of Denver. The physicians of Kaiser Permanente launched a fund, which led to the Accelerated Nursing Program at Metro State. The bachelor's degree program is designed to enhance Colorado's health care community by providing new nurses. The program targets students who already hold a bachelor's degree and wish to pursue a second career in nursing during a 12-month accelerated time frame. Instruction includes teaching in an advanced classroom setting at Metro State and hands-on clinical experience at Kaiser Permanente and Exempla Saint Joseph Hospital. A fund established through the Saint Joseph Hospital Foundation consisting of donations from the Colorado Permanente Medical Group (CPMG), Kaiser Permanente and Exempla Healthcare provided a $394,000 grant to launch the program. The fund is one of the first physician-initiated partnerships in the nation aimed at funding and providing educational support to address issues surrounding the nursing shortage. In addition, the Foundation is developing scholarship opportunities for students. Jack Cochran, M.D., CPMG executive medical director, said that physicians stand to gain a great deal by helping tackle the issues surrounding the nursing shortage. "As healers, we are assured great care for our patients by creating programs that support a nurse's education. As partners, those we work next to will know they are truly valued—the work environment will be improved. As leaders, we are showing the medical community that this crisis can be alleviated through creative commitment," said Cochran. The $394,000 grant funded the construction of and equipment for an instructional laboratory housed at Metro State that is modeled after patient care areas at Exempla Saint Joseph Hospital. The lab includes the program's human patient simulator, Sim Man. This talking, breathing, automated mannequin has a heartbeat, pulse and chest movements. The first students began classes this month. Kaiser Permanente is a non-profit organization and the largest private health care provider in Colorado. It is rated among the top ten accredited health care organizations in the country for clinical quality by the National Committee for Quality Assurance. Kaiser Permanente cares for more than 414,000 members in the Denver/Boulder and Colorado Springs areas. In the Denver/Boulder area, care is provided by a coordinated team of physicians, nurses, pharmacists, dietitians, mental health counselors and physical therapists. In Colorado Springs, Kaiser Permanente cares for its members through an affiliated network of community-based physicians and other health care providers.
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