Tech Prep Nursing Program Receives National Recognition

Akron, Ohio, Oct. 17, 2006 - The National Tech Prep Network (NTPN) has selected the Akron Area College Tech Prep Consortium's "Advancement to Nursing" program to receive a 2006 Exemplary Work Site Learning Award.

The program is one of three national winners that will receive the award at the NTPN Conference being held in Dallas on Nov. 1-4.

Launched in fall 2004, College Tech Prep Advancement to Nursing is a first-of-its-kind program in Ohio that prepares high school students to enter a four-year, bachelor of science in nursing program. Partners include Barberton Citizens Hospital, The University of Akron College of Nursing, Four Cities Educational Compact, Barberton City Schools and the Akron Area College Tech Prep Consortium.

According to Kelly Herold, UA Tech Prep director, the Advancement to Nursing Program was created in response to community and business requests that more students be prepared for work in the nursing field. Participating students from Barberton, Copley-Fairlawn, Norton and Wadsworth high schools begin the two-year program in their junior year and attend classes at Barberton High School, Barberton Citizens Hospital and The University of Akron.

"The program has seen tremendous growth and success in a very short period of time," says Herold. "Dedication from the initial partners and an increased awareness of the program have led to multiple additional partners from area community agencies and organizations as well as private health care employers. All are excited to provide students with training, awareness, hands-on experiences and scholarship opportunities."

The first 10 students to complete the Advancement to Nursing program graduated from high school in May 2006. Nine of the students are actively pursuing a degree in nursing - six at The University of Akron, one at Capital University, one at Walsh University and one at Stark State College - and one of the students is a certified State Tested Nurses Assistant employed by Barberton Citizens Hospital.

The Caterpillar Inc.-sponsored Exemplary Worksite Learning Award was established in 1994 by the Center for Occupation Research and Development and NTPN to encourage Tech Prep/School-to-Career initiatives to integrate meaningful worksite opportunities into their curricula and to showcase the best of these programs.

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