Rural Nursing
New Partnership Expanding the Reach of Andrea Lewis Siek School of Nursing to Rural Communities
Maria College is partnering with SUNY Cobleskill and Bassett Healthcare Network to bring nursing education to rural areas. Initially focused on a Practical Nurse Certificate Program (PNC), the program will expand to include Associate Degrees (ADN) and Bachelor’s in Nursing Completion. Students will complete skills and simulation training at Maria College in Albany, with clinical experiences provided by Bassett Health, allowing students to access top-notch education without relocating.
On-site courses will be offered at SUNY Cobleskill, with transportation provided for weekend training in Albany. SUNY Cobleskill will supply classroom space, while Maria College integrates rural healthcare components into the curriculum to prepare students for local needs. This partnership ensures that students receive high-quality training to meet the demands of rural healthcare. Basset Healthcare Network will offer clinical opportunities and tuition support for its employees. Looking ahead, the partnership plans to expand academic programs to include other healthcare fields, ensuring broader access to healthcare education in rural New York.
According to the Nursing Times, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates a need for more than 275,000 additional nurses between 2020 and 2030. From 2016 to 2026, nursing jobs are expected to grow at a rate of 9%, outpacing all other professions.