Odessa College Board of Trustees discussed starting a bachelor of nursing program during their workshop meeting Tuesday.
Alissa Cornelius, dean of the School of Health Sciences, made the proposal. It would start in spring 2025 or fall 2025.
Cornelius said the start would be contingent in her mind on hiring a director of BSN who is doctorate prepared.
There is a projected need for additional bachelor of science prepared nurses of 195,400 by 2031 nationally.
Cornelius said there is an expected loss of 203,200 RNs per year nationally.
The average age of RNs is 52 nationally.
There will be a loss of 12,572 LVNs statewide by 2032 and a deficit of 57,012 RNs by 2032 in Texas. Thirty-seven percent of RNs are over 55 in Texas.
Ector County has 707 associate degree nurses; 571 bachelor’s degree; 177 master’s; and 14 doctorate. Midland County has 750 associate prepared nurses; 658 bachelor’s; 216 master’s; and 23 doctorate prepared.
Medical Center Hospital has an average of 208 openings monthly and an average of 50 hires a month. Currently, 49 percent of nurses are BSN prepared and they would like to jump to 80 percent. There are an average of 208 openings monthly locally.
They also recommended that the college retain the law firm of Shafer Davis as its attorneys.
