News & Events

YOUTH HEALTH SERVICE CORPS

Youth Health Service Corps (YHSC), Western Washington Area Health Education Center’s newest program, is off to a great start this fall. This is the first time this program has been implemented in Western Washington and so far there seems to be interest across the board. YHSC is a program for high school freshmen and sophomores. The students meet regularly over the course of a semester for trainings and skill building classes. The students also participate in at least 50 hours of volunteer service in their own community within a health field of interest. Students in YHSC put together community events focused around a local healthcare need.

Being involved with YHSC means that students gain tremendous experience which they are able to add to their resumes or college applications. Students also are able to explore career options first hand so they can make informed life decisions. Additionally, students are able to interact with one another through a fun comfortable network setting.

Currently, YHSC of Western Washington is in the school recruitment phase. If you have any interest in participating with YHSC or would like additional information please contact Kimberly Greene at (206) 441-1737 or email her at

RURAL OUTREACH NURSING EDUCATION PROJECT

Wins Governor’s Best Practice Award

Governor Christine Gregoire announced the winners of the 2009 Workforce and Economic Development Best Practice awards. Five projects were recognized as models of success in creating jobs, building a skilled workforce and enhancing the economy in communities around the state. The awards will be presented at the Workforce and Economic Development Conference in Spokane, Oct. 27-29, 2009. The Rural Outreach Nursing Education (RONE) project is an award winner.

“These five exceptional projects demonstrate the diversity, innovation and partnerships that are contributing to a new, stronger Washington,” Governor Gregoire said. “Each partnership is helping our state build a globally competitive economy, and a better future for working families.”

This year’s Best Practice Awards recognize leadership and exemplary accomplishment in a project, program or initiative.

The RONE project provides nursing education to areas of Washington that has limited access, helping address a critical skill shortage through classes delivered over the web. By recruiting within their community and providing the training on-site; rural communities can now ‘grow their own’ nursing staffs. Rural hospitals, clinics and other outpatient facilities provide hands-on clinical experience as part of this two-year associate degree registered nurse program.

Leann Evans, RONE student from Morton decided to be a nurse in high school after participating in a job shadowing experience with Theresa Moore at Morton General Hospital. “She is my inspiration!” Leann has a two year old and works as an emergency room technician. Without RONE “I could not go to nursing school.”

In 2006, Ferry County Hospital issued a call to “any college or university” in Washington to help with the shortage of licensed nurses in rural/remote areas in Washington. Access to nursing education in these areas did not exist. Lower Columbia College was the only college which responded.

In 2007, a state-wide RONE Steering Committee was formed to address rural access nursing education issues. Representatives included Lower Columbia College, the Western Washington and Eastern Washington Area Health Education Centers, Washington Center for Nursing, Health Work Force Institute of the Washington State Hospital Association, two critical access (rural) hospitals, Community and Migrant Health Centers, and the state labor council.

In January 2009 the first class of 11 students was admitted. They are located in Republic (Ferry County Hospital), Morton (Morton General Hospital), Goldendale (Klickitat Valley Hospital), and Port Townsend (Jefferson Health Care). All theory courses were developed, are being taught and maintained by Lower Columbia College nursing and e-learning departments. Generous grants totaling over $600,000 to support the project were provided by the State Board for Community & Technical Colleges, Health Work Force Institute, Johnson and Johnson Promise of Nursing /National Student Nurse Association fund (through Washington Center for Nursing), Western Washington Rural Health Care Collaborative, Association of Washington Public Hospital Districts and the Regence Foundation. The Washington Hospital Employee Education and Training Grant funded the simulators for rural sites.

The 2009 Workforce and Economic Development Conference and Best Practices Awards are organized by the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board and the Department of Commerce. The Department of Commerce is the lead agency charged with enhancing and promoting economic vitality in Washington. The Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board is a partnership of labor, business and government, dedicated to helping Washington state residents obtain and succeed in family-wage jobs.

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Page updated 05/15/2009