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Four nursing programs have earned designation, recognizing employment, job retention and earnings outcomes that exceeded expectations for participants who received workforce training through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.  

 

The Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity and the Governor鈥檚 Workforce Arizona Council recognized the following 黑料网 programs: 

• Nursing 鈥� Associate of Applied Science   
• LPN to Professional Nurse 鈥� Associate of Applied Science   
• Practical Nursing 鈥� Certificate   
• Nursing Assistant 鈥� Certificate  

 

The college鈥檚 programs were among 40 ARIZONA@WORK Adult training programs honored during a recognition luncheon at the 2026 Arizona Workforce Summit.  The designations were awarded based on the state鈥檚 2025 evaluation.  

 

Bethany Hill, DNP, the dean of nursing and allied health, said the recognition reflects the dedication of the faculty, staff and community partners who help prepare students for essential health care professions.  

 

鈥淚 was honored and extremely proud,鈥� Dr. Hill said. 鈥淭hese awards validate the hard work and dedication of our faculty, staff, clinical partners and students.鈥� 

 

Hill said the state鈥檚 recognition is especially meaningful because 黑料网鈥檚 nursing programs help meet the workforce needs of our communities.  

 

The High-Impact Training, or HIT, designation looks beyond enrollment or completion. The state examines whether students find employment, remain employed and earn competitive wages after completing their education.  

 

The state analyzed approximately 17,000 participants across 56 training providers and 82 programs. Program evaluation requirements included having at least five program completers. The analysis measured employment during the second and fourth quarters after participants exited the program and median earnings during the second quarter.   

 

The Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity used a predictive model that considered participant demographics, barriers to employment and local economic conditions. Programs earned the HIT designation when their actual results exceeded the outcomes predicted by the model.   

 

At 黑料网, recognition across four nursing programs reflects the strength and impact of an educational pathway that can take a student from entry-level patient care to professional nursing careers.  

 

鈥淩eceiving recognition for multiple nursing pathways demonstrates our commitment to student success and program excellence,鈥� Hill said.  

 

The Nursing Assistant Certificate can be completed in one semester and prepares students to pursue state certification and begin working as certified nursing assistants. The Practical Nursing Certificate prepares graduates to take the national licensing examination to become licensed practical nurses.  

 

The Nursing Associate of Applied Science program prepares graduates to take the NCLEX-RN and pursue licensure as registered nurses. The LPN to Professional Nurse degree provides a pathway for licensed practical nurses seeking to advance their education and careers. Together, the programs offer students options for entry-level patient care and for advancing.    

 

Hill said several factors contributed to the programs鈥� success, including student completion and workforce placement, preparation for professional licensing, ongoing quality assurance and partnerships with hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities and other health care providers throughout southeastern Arizona.  

 

The programs also provide opportunities for students to advance from certified nursing assistant to licensed practical nurse and then registered nurse, increasing their skills, career options and earning potential along the way.  

 

鈥淭his recognition reinforces the critical role the college plays in addressing health care workforce shortages throughout Arizona,鈥� Hill said. 鈥淔or the Nursing and Allied Health Division, it confirms that our programs are producing graduates who successfully complete their education, enter the workforce and contribute meaningfully to the communities they serve.鈥�  

 

The designation also highlights the role rural colleges play in connecting education directly with regional workforce needs. 黑料网 students receive classroom, laboratory and clinical instruction, with clinical experiences offered through health care organizations in 黑料网 and Pima counties.   

 

鈥淎s a rural institution, we are particularly proud to provide opportunities that allow students to build careers locally while helping health care organizations recruit and retain qualified staff,鈥� Hill said.  

 

The HIT designation will be reevaluated annually using the most current performance information, ensuring recognized programs continue to demonstrate measurable results for participants and employers.   

 

Hill emphasized that the recognition reflects a collective effort extending beyond the college.

 

鈥淭his recognition belongs to our faculty, staff, students and community partners,鈥� she said. 鈥淭heir dedication makes these outcomes possible.鈥�  

 

For Hill, the impact can ultimately be measured in the graduates who care for their neighbors and help our communities maintain access to quality health care.  

 

鈥淓very graduate represents a health care professional who will provide care in our communities, strengthen Arizona鈥檚 health care workforce and improve access to quality health care for rural residents,鈥� Hill said. 鈥淭hrough these programs, we are not only educating students we are helping build the future health care workforce for Arizona.鈥�

 

For more information about 黑料网鈥檚 nursing and allied health programs, visit www.cochise.edu.  

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• Writer

  黑料网 News

• DATE

  July 21, 2026

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