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Nunez Community College, New Orleans East Hospital, and the Louisiana Board of Regents are partnering to provide a pathway to a practical nursing certification for NOEH employees currently working in non-nursing positions. The team that collaborated on the partnership, pictured in Nunez’s Nursing Lab, included, from left, Jerry Graves, Nunez Director of Grants, Brittney Zaffuto, Nunez Nursing Director, CJ Marbley, NOEH’s Chief Nursing and Operating Officer, Mary Fernandez, Nunez Dean of Nursing and Allied Health, and Velma Johnson, NOEH Senior Director of Patient Care Services.
Nunez Community College has joined forces with New Orleans East Hospital (NOEH) and the Louisiana Board of Regents to create an innovative new program that will help NOEH employees currently working in non-nursing positions to earn a career and technical certificate in Nunez’s Practical Nursing Program, enabling them to take the NCLEX exam to become Licensed Practical Nurses. Nunez’s Practical Nursing Program has maintained a 100% pass rate for NCLEX for over 10 years.
Starting with the Fall 2023 semester, the first cohort of NOEH employees will enroll in the Practical Nursing Program at Nunez with the full support NOEH and its parent health system, LCMC Health. At the same time, thanks to flexible scheduling and mentorship from colleagues, the new students will continue working in their current positions as nursing assistants, phlebotomists, patient care technicians, etc., at NOEH.
NOEH’s Chief Nursing and Operating Officer CJ Marbley says the idea for the program emerged through his conversations with Mary Fernandez, Nunez Dean of Nursing and Allied Health, whom he met when Mary reached outto the New Orleans Black Nurses Association (NOBNA). The two discussed how a nationwide shortage of nurses is affecting NOEH, along with the number of non-nursing employees who had expressed their desire to become nurses, but who lacked the time and resources to go back to school while working a full-time job.
“For working individuals trying to go to nursing school, the biggest barriers are financial assistance and scheduling, having to take time off to go to school,” said Marbley.
Fernandez took those concerns to Nunez Director of Grants Jerry Graves, who began writing a proposal for the Louisiana Board of Regents. The Board of Regents had been encouraging Louisiana institutions of higher education to identify innovative partnerships that would improve access to nursing programs, which resulted in $450,000 in funding for the Nunez/NOEH partnership.
The funding laid the groundwork for a two-year program that will usher 20 NOEH/LCMC Health employees through the Nunez Practical Nursing Program. Tuition, books, and supplies will all be covered, and NOEH agreed to assist with transportation to and from Nunez’s campus in Chalmette.
The funding will also pay for additional experienced NOEH Nursing employees to be hired on at Nunez as adjunct faculty to assist with the lab and clinical aspects of the program.
Back at NOEH, employees enrolled at Nunez will receive additional mentoring through the NOBNA and social and psychological coaching from Metropolitan Human Services District.
“One of the things we’ve recognized is that there may be a need for counseling and additional support for students. We’ve found in the past that a lot of fears and mental barriers have resulted in failure,” said Marbley. “These staff members are excellent at their current jobs and always wanted to be nurses. But they may need help pushing through those barriers and believing they can do it.”
The NOEH student cohort will also serve as its own support system as NOEH students will be together for classes and clinical rotations. And they may well end up working together as they fulfill their one-year commitment to work as nurses at LCMC hospitals after graduation.
“Our hope is to bring them on as nurses at New Orleans East. And if we don’t have a spot for them, there’s definitely a spot in the greater LCMC Health family,” said Marbley.
Prospective students are welcome to apply to join Nunez’s Practical Nursing Program in Spring 2024. Practical Nursing applications will be accepted August 1st through October 31st. Students are encouraged to apply for the Fall 2023 term at Nunez.edu to begin taking prerequisite courses Biology 1010: Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology and Biology 1500: Nutrition and Diet Therapy. Fall classes begin Aug. 15.
About Nunez Community College
Nunez Community College is a student-centered institution that delivers relevant and innovative curriculum integrating the arts, sciences, and humanities leading to academic credentials and workforce opportunities. Nunez serves a vital role in the community by engaging with partners to support student success and personal growth. Nunez Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees, technical diplomas, and certificates. Degree-granting institutions also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Nunez Community College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org). Nunez is located at 3710 Paris Road, Chalmette, LA. For more information, visit www.nunez.edu.
