Bassett launches nurse training program

COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. » Bassett Medical Center, in collaboration with four area schools of nursing, is launching a new registered nurse (RN) primary care training program.

A $2.7 million grant from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) will support establishment of the program, with the goal of improving patient access to primary health care in rural and medically underserved communities in the region served by Bassett, while also enhancing nurse satisfaction.

Phase one of the program began July 2. Components of the program include the following:

• support of Bassett licensed practical nurses interested in becoming RNs and continuing to work in Bassett’s ambulatory care centers;

• support of Bassett RNs working in primary care whowish to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing that includes primary care coursework;

• professional development and continuing edu- cation programs for practicing nurses and other clinicians working in primary care, and

• curriculum changes and clinical experiences in area schools of nursing to better prepare RNs for practicing in the primary care setting.

Bassett’s communitybased health centers and school-based health centers will be potential sites for clinical training, with an emphasis on chronic disease prevention and control, including mental health and substance use conditions. The four academic partners collaborating with Bassett on the RN primary care training program are SUNYMorrisville Division of Nursing, Uni- versity of Rochester School of Nursing, SUNY Binghamton University Decker School of Nursing, and SUNY Polytechnic Institute Department of Nursing.

PHOTO COURTESY BASSETT MEDICAL CENTER Tera Lopez, a licensed practical nurse at Bassett’s Richfield Springs health center, prepares for patient appointments at the start of the day.