Whereas the California Community Colleges currently prepare in excess of 66% of all registered nurses entering the profession in California, and
Whereas the community college program for preparing the Registered Nurse is an associate degree program, and
Whereas the community colleges offer a career ladder for upward mobility of the Associate Degree Nurse to the Bachelor of Science Degree Nurse, and
Whereas many community colleges offer a career ladder for upward mobility of Licensed Vocational Nurses, and
Whereas the community college Associate Degree Nursing programs are recognized as exemplary, and
Whereas the needs of the health care industry are being met largely by the community college Associate Degree nurse, and
Whereas to alter the system for preparing Registered Nurses would adversely affect acute and long term care facilities,
Resolved that the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges affirm its support for the continued use of the California community colleges in preparing nurses with an Associate Degree as entry level into registered nurse practice.