The Clatsop Community College Foundation is pleased to announce the receipt of a $110,000 grant from the Oregon Center for Nursing (OCN). This significant funding will bolster efforts to enhance faculty recruitment and retention within CCC’s Nursing Program.
Authorized by OCN’s Executive Director, Jana Bitton, and supported by the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), this grant reflects a collaborative commitment to addressing critical needs in nursing education. Specifically, the grant will support initiatives aimed at reducing faculty overload and enhancing clinical teaching assistant support.
This partnership underscores our commitment to maintaining excellence in nursing education. “CCC appreciates the OCN’s support of faculty retention – especially in rural areas like ours,” said Tina Kotson, Director of Nursing and Allied Health at CCC. “This generous donation will offer clinical teaching relief and will allow adequate instructional time to meet the individual learning needs of our students.”
The funding agreement with OCN and the CCC Foundation, effective from July 1, 2025, to October 27, 2028, marks a pivotal investment in Oregon’s healthcare workforce. Locally, it will enable CCC to continue preparing future nursing professionals who will serve the community’s healthcare needs. CCC Foundation Director Beth van Elswyk stated, “This grant will truly be impactful for our students. We are grateful for the collaboration with OCN.”
CCC’s Nursing Program, offered through the Oregon Consortium for Nursing Education (OCNE), provides a competency-based curriculum developed collaboratively by nine Oregon community colleges and OHSU. This partnership allows students to pursue a seamless pathway from an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Nursing to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) through OHSU, enhancing workforce readiness and career advancement opportunities.
For more information about CCC’s nursing program and strategic initiatives, contact Tina Kotson at tkotson@clatsopcc.edu
The Oregon Center for Nursing is dedicated to ensuring an adequate nursing workforce capable of meeting the healthcare needs of Oregon’s population. By providing strategic support and resources, OCN plays a pivotal role in advancing nursing education and practice throughout the state.
