"Building Healthy Communities" The Nursing Project of the Delta

1/19/08

Grand Chain, Illinois - The Nursing Project of the Delta is a comprehensive training and support program for residents of Alexander and Pulaski Counties, designed to prepare candidates to advance their education and enter the field of nursing. Chambers and Associates, LLC, a consulting firm specializing in health and human services, was funded by the Delta Regional Authority, Faith and Community Based Initiative to develop and pilot this innovative program. "Our goal is to help address the nursing shortage in the region, as well as help individuals increase their life time earning potential," said Lynne Chambers, Project Director.

Shawnee Community College and the Gospel of Deliverance Church in Mounds, Illinois have partnered together to provide education and counseling, and faith-based guidance to the students. Six to eight candidates will test in the spring to enter the Licensed Practical Nursing Program at SCC this fall. They will continue to advance through the curriculum required by the grant, which has provided training on test taking, study skills, business etiquette and communication, professional dress and appearance, and cultural competency in addition to their core nursing classes.

"To take economically-challenged students who have the desire to go into nursing, but may not have the means, and help them become successful is a great idea. I think it will be interesting to see the outcome of this project, and I hope it can be used as a model in the future," SCC Director of Nursing Carol Belt said.

The candidates also participated in "Dinner with a Doctor" with Dr. Akua Afrie-Gray, MD and learned the importance of mentoring and networking for professional advancement. "Life planning" to develop individualized plans to identify and remove barriers to their success was also provided as a service to the candidates. For more information, please call 618.634.9611.