According to a recent survey, Flagstaff Medical Center expects to have a shortage in excess of 125 nurses by 2007. This shortage is not just isolated to Flagstaff. The state of Arizona has one of the highest shortages of nurses in the nation. Coconino Community College, Tech Prep, and local high schools are working together to help fill this area’s crucial need.

Coconino Community College is now offering a 2-year degree program in Nursing. Through the Tech Prep program, students interested in applying for the CCC nursing program may receive their Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification while still in high school. The CNA certification is a pre-requisite for the CCC Nursing program.

“This not only allows high school students the opportunity for employment in the medical field, but it also gives them a head start on their college degree in nursing”, said Ann Black, Director of Tech Prep in Coconino County.

She added that Tech Prep classes through the high schools save the students the cost of college tuition, registration fees and books.