Public Employee Press

Nurses taking new college-credit course

In January, 23 Jr. Public Health Nurses began studying for an important step up the career ladder with their first college-credit nursing course at the DC 37 Campus of the College of New Rochelle. Local 436 fought for 10 years to establish the course, which will put the public school nurses on the track toward bachelor's degrees and the Public Health Nurse 1 title.

The new three-credit Professional Transitions course they are taking is part of the curriculum for CNR's Registered Nurse/Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. When they complete the degree program, they will be eligible to take the PHN 1 civil service exam.

"This has been a long time coming, but it's well worth it," said Local President Judy Arroyo at the first class as text books were passed out to the eager students.
Arroyo said the effort to create the course began with former President Gloria Acevedo. The local won DC 37 Education Fund coverage in negotiations with the city in 2006 and then worked to establish the course with CNR and the fund. Members' participation is possible because of their DC 37 education benefit.
CNR instructors teach the classes, which are identical to those offered at CNR's main campus. For the same classes at other colleges, students would have to pay between $300 and $900 per credit.

Arroyo says support from elected officials for continued funding will be critical. At the first class, she signed up the students in the PEOPLE program of DC 37's national union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, which accepts members' voluntary contributions to help elect public officials who support unions. "These members now have tangible evidence of what we can accomplish with political support," said Arroyo.

Arroyo praised the hard work of the local's Education Committee, Chair Laura Humphrey, co-chair Ponzella Johnson and DC 37 Education Fund Administrator Dr. Barbara Kairson and Associate Administrator Viviana Tillman in establishing the course.

"We're all very excited about the opportunity this course is opening for our members," said Humphrey after the first class.