Passing the NCLEX is required for those who want to practice nursing in the U.S.
Villagomez, who admitted that CHC still lacks nurses, said Public Health wants to bring in qualified professionals that will assure quality care for the patients.
“Your are always looking for mix staffing for the nurses — registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, nursing assistants,” he said. “We believe that we can provide good care that is not expensive.”
He said instead of hiring 10 registered nurses who are entitled to higher pay, the hospital can bring in five RNs, 10 LPNs and nursing assistants.
He said this proposal is being considered by Public Health.
“We will restructure our budget to be able to hire these LPNs and nursing assistants and we will closely work with RNs so that we have a staffing mix that will still allow us to provide the best care to our people besides giving employment to these new graduates,” he said,
LPNs and nursing assistants get lower pay compared to RNs.
Last month, 20 students completed their 11-month vocational nursing program at Emmanuel College.
Villagomez said CHC is employing a number of LPNs who were hired as license practitioners after they passed the NCLEX.
“We don’t know the exact number of LPNs we need at the hospital…but rest assure that we’re looking at a staffing mix to include the RNs, license practical nurses and nursing assistants,” he added.
Based on the 2008 Health Data Report released yesterday, the Commonwealth Health Center has 164 licensed nurses — 115 registered nurses, six nurse midwifes, 27 license practical nurses, and 16 nursing assistants.
