The timing of the funding couldn’t be better for the nursing department. In addition to its bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing, the department also houses an all-new public health program that started earlier this fall. Upon taking the position of department chair in spring of this year, Dr. Wilson met with her team to sketch out some big dreams they had for the future.
“At the end of the last academic year, my faculty and I met to develop some rather lofty goals for our program,” she told the crowd. “We didn’t allow ourselves to be constrained with questions like ‘How will we pay for that?’ That is why I was so excited to hear about Mr. Salas’ efforts on behalf of our three nursing programs. Many of our dreams can be put into action with this extra funding.”
Nurse practitioner student Iniguez took time off work in the emergency department to be at the celebration and talk about the program’s need for support and how it translates to better care and health for our community. She detailed the difficult time she and other nurses have faced since the onset of COVID-19, the patients she has seen slip away from the virus and the families she has helped comfort in their grief.
“I see the desperate need in our region for primary health care providers,” Iniguez said. “But I also see hope. Here at CSUB, I work with amazing faculty members who are helping me achieve my dream to expand my knowledge and skills so that I can help my community. It is incredibly difficult to be admitted into the family nurse practitioner program, so I am grateful for the opportunity that I have. But more people like me should have this opportunity to be a part of this great program. I want to thank Assemblymember Salas for helping CSUB expand the health care programs, giving more students the same chance that I have.”
Another way CSUB aims to improve students’ career options and the community’s health is through the new public health program. Carrigan spoke of the many ways public health students can put their degrees to use, as health educators, health inspectors, epidemioligists and more.
“I think we can all agree that this pandemic has truly shed light on what public health is and the important role it plays in all of our lives and the community,” she said. “Having this higher educational path available right here in Kern County is such an incredible opportunity for our homegrown residents to obtain their public health degree and career and make a positive impact in our community.”
This growth in the nursing program ripples out from the CSUB campus, improving the health of the local community. The majority of the university’s nursing students stay in the region throughout their careers, meaning their success directly impacts Bakersfield.
“We’re hoping to plant a seed,” said Assemblymember Salas. “A seed of hope for our community and for our future. A seed that we hope can grow more Yamilettes in the future, more students, people that not only we invest in, but we help grow and nurture. Then hopefully we can harvest them and keep them here in the Central Valley, because we know the health care needs of the Valley are great.”
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