NVCI Launches ARRA-Funded Plus One Program; Offers New Nursing Grads Specialized Training to Deliver Competitive Edge in Job Search
First-of-its-Kind Program Creates Nursing Jobs in Southern Nevada, Provides Expert Oncology Training to Strengthen State’s Oncology Healthcare Infrastructure
For Immediate Release
LAS VEGAS – July 22, 2010 – Nevada Cancer Institute (NVCI) is launching its Plus One Program, a paid nursing internship initiative to equip nursing graduates with advanced training to give them an edge in today’s competitive nursing job market. After completing a paid one-year internship at NVCI, participants will become oncology nurses, a highly sought-after specialty. These specialized jobs have the potential to pay increased wages, provide excellent benefits and support articulated career ladders within the field of oncology.
Plus One is provided in partnership with the College of Southern Nevada (CSN) and Workforce CONNECTIONS, and is funded by a $3.2M American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant. The annual program is launching with nine participants with plans to expand in coming years.
The current nursing market is flooded with experienced RNs who’ve come out of retirement or delayed retirement as a result of the recent economy. Recently graduated registered nurses are struggling to find jobs today because, after cut-backs, hospitals don’t have the resources to train the new nurses. A June 2009 survey of 2,112 spring RN graduates by the National Student Nurses' Association found 44% hadn't yet found jobs.
“Plus One is the first internship program of its kind. It is a significant step to creating a more robust cancer care infrastructure in Southern Nevada while helping recent nursing graduates receive their oncology certification and increasing their chances of landing better paying jobs,” said Cheryl Martin, NVCI’s chief operating officer and chief nursing executive.
Throughout the Plus One Program, participants will “shadow” primary nurses; over time and with direct supervision, they will begin providing patient care. They also will partake in seminar-style and one-on-one learning experiences to develop expertise in cancer prevention, carcinogenesis, diagnosis, staging of cancer, principles of chemotherapy and radiation therapy, blood and bone marrow transplantation, clinical trials, vascular access devices, symptom management and oncologic emergencies.
The Plus One Program is funded in part by a Health Care Sector and Other High Growth and Emerging Industries Grant awarded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, as implemented by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. The total amount of Federal funds for this project is $3,262,676 and 84 percent of this program is funded with Federal funds. Plus One is a Equal Opportunity Program with auxiliary aids and services available upon request for individuals with disabilities.
About Nevada Cancer Institute
Nevada Cancer Institute (NVCI) is the official cancer institute for the State of Nevada. A nonprofit organization, NVCI is committed to reducing the burden of cancer by pursuing the development of a comprehensive cancer center, as defined by the National Cancer Institute. Through the knowledge and expertise of the finest scientists, clinicians, educators and caregivers, the Institute provides hope to communities in Nevada, the southwest and beyond through research, education, early detection, prevention and high quality patient care. NVCI is striving for a future without cancer that is achieved through innovative and collaborative research in basic, clinical and population science. For more information, please visit www.nevadacancerinstitute.org or call (702) 822-LIFE.
About College of Southern Nevada
Founded in 1971 and educating thousands of students a semester, the College of Southern Nevada (www.csn.edu) is the state’s largest and most ethnically diverse higher education institution. CSN offers more than 200 degree and certificate options in more than 130 areas of study, including 25 degree and certificate programs available entirely online. Students create flexible, personalized schedules including day, evening and weekend classes taught on three main campuses and multiple locations throughout Southern Nevada. CSN -- Your future starts here.
About workforceCONNECTIONS
For the past 25 years, workforceCONNECTIONS (formerly known as the Southern Nevada Workforce Investment Board) has administered Departments of Labor, Education, Defense and Health and Human Services funding to bring employment and training services to residents of southern Nevada. Its mission is to develop a world-class workforce through the distribution of funds earmarked for training, apprenticeships and other market driven strategies designed to couple the right workers with the right employers. workforceCONNECTIONS serves the cities of Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Henderson and Boulder City, and the counties of Clark, Lincoln, Nye and Esmeralda.
For more information contact:
Natalie Mounier or Ashli Kimenker, Kirvin Doak Communications 702.737.3100
K.C. Brekken, College of Southern Nevada 702.651.7535
