BCC recognizes nursing graduates, addresses shortage

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The 33rd pinning ceremony for graduates of Berkshire Community College's associate degree in nursing (ADN) program was celebrated Tuesday, May 28, in the Robert M. Boland Theatre of the college's Koussevitzky Arts Center. Helen Downey, chief operating officer at Berkshire Medical Center, addressed the graduates. The ceremony, sponsored by BCC's Student Nurse Organization, recognized the following graduating students: Adams: Lauren M. Whitney. Alford: Rae McGonagle. Cheshire: Audre Sadlowski. Chester: Karen Pease-Sieber. Clarksburg: Kimberly J. Cameron. Dalton: Debbie Casey and Cindy Danforth. Great Barrington: Marcella C. Moriarty. Housatonic: Mary C. Errichetto. Lanesboro: Joan Lennon, Mary L. Litano, Nancy Lyon, Andrea T. Rodick and Debra M. Ryan. Lee: Liz Porter. Lenoxdale: Karen L. Hiser-Hagley. Middlefield: Amy M. Baker. North Adams: Amanda J. Alexander, Lorie Ennis-Pikula, Karen A. McDonough and Mandy C. Oakes. Peru: Tracy Ann Autenrieth, Tina L. Kirchner and Jennifer Vallone. Pittsfield: Kristen Amuso, Ann Marie Cripps, Melissa Dearstyne, Martha L. Haughey, Sokpha Ith, Denise Jester, Irene E. Johnson, Shaun Kennedy, Audra Lynn, Nicole M. March, Christine M. Martin, Kelly Melle, Kari Mendel, Stephanie Pasquarelli, David Peirce, Paula Ann Rennie, Luanne L. Savino and Patricia Louise Trumble. Washington: D. Coyote Talabach. Connecticut: Hope LaRose (Avon), Vicky Fleming (Sharon), and Angela Lazzaro and Tina Vaccaro (Winsted). Vermont: Barbara A. Bortell (North Bennington), Debra Begiebing (North Pownal), and Jo Anne Lewis Poirier (Pownal). BHS Initiative According to Patricia Brien, chairperson of BCC's ADN program, the 50 graduates represent a sizeable increase in the number of students who usually complete the BCC nursing program. "The additional graduates reflect an initiative undertaken by Berkshire Health Systems (BHS) two years ago to help alleviate a nursing shortage that has both national and local implications," she said. "After receiving a $160,920 grant from the Massachusetts Division of Employment and Training in June 2000," explained Brien, "BHS added matching funds to finance tuition and related expenses for 27 employees who were qualified to enter BCC's ADN program that summer." Each employee was given a reduced work schedule for two years, with no loss in pay or benefits, allowing them to attend the required BCC courses. In return, each graduate is committed to two years of service as a registered nurse (RN) at a BHS agency. Brien observed that the increase in graduates will help to alleviate the local problem "to some degree," but will not solve the nursing shortage that is projected to continue through the year 2010. From LPN to BSN According to Cheryl Dorfman, BCC assistant dean of academic affairs for nursing and allied health, the college offers several excellent nursing programs that can be taken both individually or as part of a continuum. "Many of our students start in the practical nurse certificate program," said Dorfman. "Graduates of this one-year program are eligible to take the licensed practical nurse (LPN) exam and have excellent opportunities for employment in local nursing homes," she continued. "Then, since many agencies provide tuition assistance to LPNs, a significant number return to BCC for another year and a half to earn an associate degree," added Dorfman. Graduates of the ADN program, such as the current 50 students, are qualified to take the state RN exam. Graduates of BCC's associate degree program may also continue their education by transferring their BCC credits into a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) program through BCC's participation in articulation agreements with the University of Massachusetts, Russell Sage College, and Framingham State College. BCC is still reviewing applications for admission to both the Practical Nurse and ADN programs for the fall semester. For more information on either program, contact BCC at (413) 499-4660, Ext. 242.
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Clarksburg Officials Keep PreK Program Free

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
CLARKSBURG, Mass. — Town and school officials came together on Monday in hopes of compromising over a tight budget. 
 
Instead, they ended up agreeing to dip into their reserves to ensure that prekindergarten program will continue free for town residents. 
 
The Select Board had been pushing for the school budget to come in at a 2 percent increase. The School Committee on Monday was prepared to vote a budget up by $128,454, or 4.53 percent.
 
After an hour and a half of discussion, the school budget had gone up $1,000 to $2,967,609.58 and town officials agreed to commit $72,000 in free cash they'd wanted to set aside for the school roof. 
 
"Your budget's gone up today not down," said Town Administrator Carl McKinney. "That's not the goal here."
 
"I know that," responded Supertentendent John Franzoni. "But we did what you wanted us to do."
 
School officials had proposed to charge $300 a month for the prekindergarten program for 4-year-olds that was expected to bring in at least $30,000 a year.
 
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