ACC Board Receives Report on Nursing Education
Alvin Community College Associate Degree Nursing Director Sally Durand presented information on the Registered Nursing program at the ACC Board meeting held on June 28.
Durand stated that enrollment and graduates in the ACC Nursing program continue to grow from 98 students in the A.D.N. program 10 years ago to 185 in the Fall 2012. Those students taking the State Licensing Exam from the Board of Nursing Examiners exceed the 95% pass rate.
Ms. Durand also said there is a trend among many hospitals and clinics to seek registered nurses with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing as opposed to the Associate Degree graduates. Registered Nurses with a Bachelors degree equal approximately 40% of the nursing workforce. Approximately 60% of the nursing workforce are from associate degree Nursing programs.
Ms. Durand stated that the Associate Degree Nursing program at Alvin Community College works with students so that they may have the opportunity to continue their education through articulation agreements at various universities, which would afford them the opportunity to obtain a bachelors degree.
During the June 28 meeting, the Board also approved hiring two Associate Degree Nursing instructors and a replacement instructor for the English Department. The College Board also voted to replace an HVAC Chiller unit which has been reconditioned. The Regents also approved the financial reports for May 2012.
The Alvin Community College Planning Team presented a proposed budget for 2012-2013 academic year. The proposed Maintenance & Operations Budget for the next academic year is approximately $25.5 million, which compares to the $25.05 million budget for academic year 2011-2012.
Debt payments in 2012-2013 for the Science/Health Science Building bonds are projected to be $1.49 million. There is no proposed tuition change for the academic year.
The proposed budget under consideration includes a 2% step increase consistent with the Position Compensation and Classification Plan for ACC faculty and staff. Also included are proposals for three full time faculty positions due to an increase in dual credit classes. State funding for Texas community colleges is currently under review by the Legislative Budget Board and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
Final property values and tax rates for ACC operations and debt service are being developed by the Brazoria County Appraisal District. Early projections indicate that the Alvin Community College District may see a 5.3% increase in overall value, which would equal approximately $6.25 billion compared to the current District value of $5.9 billion.