RCC and DMH Work Together to Increase Number of Nurses

An ongoing partnership between Richland Community College and Decatur Memorial Hospital has resulted in new resources to help increase the number of students admitted into the Nursing Program. Richland and DMH recognize the continued demand for qualified, skilled nurses in Central Illinois and continue to explore ways to increase enrollment.

A gift from Decatur Memorial Hospital provided the funding for Richland to hire an additional nursing faculty member. Richland now has a team of ten full-time nursing faculty. Richland now offers two classes of students each year. (Previously, Richland could enroll only 20 students once a year.) Now the College admits 20 students in September and additional 20 students may enroll in January for spring semester. State law mandates that maximum enrollment must have a ten-student-to-one-faculty ratio for the clinical portion of the program.

"We are building on a long-term relationship between DMH and Richland," says Ken Smithmier, DMH President & CEO. "Meeting the growing need for nurses is an obvious next step in the evolution of Richland’s program and in our partnership with the College."

Decatur Memorial Hospital serves as one clinical site for Richland nursing students and graduates are eligible to sit for the Registered Nursing exam. In addition, Richland also offers a practical nursing program preparing students to sit for the Licensed Practical Nursing exam.

"Richland and Decatur Memorial Hospital’s partnership demonstrates how community colleges and businesses work together to meet community need," says Gayle Saunders, Richland President. "Together we are providing a solution to a pressing need. DMH has helped our nursing program grow over the years by providing equipment, clinical sites, adjunct faculty, and now funding to hire an additional full-time faculty member."

The Richland Nursing Program is located in the Schrodt Health Education Center.