Editorials

Nursing is a vital service profession that also is an honored and rewarding occupation and demand for qualified practitioners consistently seems to exceed the supply.

A newly formed East Texas partnership holds promise of helping produce more nurses to keep pace with an increasing need.

Formal announcement of formation of a partnership to create a School of Nursing at East Texas Medical Center - Jacksonville came from a meeting last week.

Leaders from Tyler Junior College, ETMC Regional Healthcare System, Trinity Mother Frances Health System and the Jacksonville Economic Development Cooperation joined in announcing the project at a meeting in Jacksonville.

The nursing school project stands to benefit all participants and the community.

Partnership of all of the participating entities was vital to getting the project moving, said TJC President Dr. Mike Metke, who added, "This is really a great day. We're doing something today that will touch the future for generations to come."

"Partnerships work the best when they're mutually beneficial, and this is really one where everybody wins," Metke added.

Each of the partners is making a significant contribution.

ETMC is providing 4,500 square feet at its Jacksonville facility for four classrooms, two labs and offices to house the school. Trinity Mother Frances Health System is providing $225,000 ($7,500 a year for three years) to help fund faculty members. The Jacksonville EDCO will contribute about $240,000 up front for start-up costs.

Tyler Junior College will offer prerequisite courses needed to qualify for entry and completion of nursing and other health related programs.

Courses scheduled have been tentatively planned to start in August, pending completion of construction or procurement of an interim classroom site, officials indicated. First students should be completing their Registered Nurse program in December 2009.

An earlier nursing program involving ETMC-Jacksonville and TJC had to be suspended some years ago, said Jack Endres, administrator for ETMC - Jacksonville.

"We're very excited to have the opportunity to bring it back to Jacksonville and make it even larger and a better program than it was before," he said. "We're thinking long term, and long term we really need to have availability of a qualified nursing staff. Having a school right on our campus is just wonderful."

The Jacksonville-based programs and courses offer a new opportunity for potential students in the area to train for rewarding careers in a much needed area of health care service. Individuals interested in any of the new programs or courses should contact the advising office of the TJC School of Allied Health and Nursing at 903-510-2626.

"I think this is a grand opportunity for our young folks in this community as well as in this county as well as in this area who have been thinking about going to nursing school and having a career in nursing, but for whatever reason, travel costs now included, maybe couldn't quite get there," said Tom Cammack, chief administrative officer for Trinity Mother Frances - Jacksonville.

"This is going to allow a lot of folks to stay right here ... stay in this community and go to school and get a degree in nursing," he added.

This is an excellent example of how different entities can join forces in a project not only in their mutual interest, but also with unique benefits for the community and its residents.

Partnership and harmony exhibited in creating this positive program is noteworthy and all parties are commended.

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