Pima Community College is playing a critical role in addressing the looming nursing shortage in Arizona, where the state could face a deficit of up to 25,000 nurses by next year.
The college is proactively combating this shortage by enhancing its nursing program to produce more well-trained nurses, equipped to meet the demands of the healthcare industry.
Yolanda McCoy-Stokes, Associate Dean of Nursing at PCC , has been instrumental in these efforts. With over 23 years of experience at PCC, McCoy-Stokes highlighted the unique aspects of the program, particularly its emphasis on hands-on clinical training from the very beginning.
“Our students start clinicals from the moment they step into the program,” she said, adding that this approach helps students effectively tie theoretical knowledge to real-world patient care.
PCC’s nursing program is not just about producing graduates; it’s about creating highly competent professionals who can immediately step into demanding roles.
McCoy-Stokes emphasized the college’s commitment to maintaining full enrollment in its program, which currently serves around 390 students each semester.