Clinton Community College Joins Regional Nursing Consortium to Expand Student Pathways

Clinton Community College has entered into a partnership with three other North Country colleges and universities to boost enrollment across nursing programs and expand pathways for students.

The initiative is part of a $1 million investment from the State University of New York’s High Needs Nursing Fund, which aims to strengthen the healthcare workforce statewide. This effort aligns with SUNY and New York State’s broader strategy to address the critical shortage of healthcare professionals.

The North Country Nursing Consortium includes Clinton Community College, SUNY Canton, SUNY Jefferson and North Country Community College. The institutions will receive more than $60,000 combined to establish the partnership and form a collaborative network.

“This partnership reflects our commitment to meeting the region’s healthcare needs,” said Maggie Courson, interim vice president of academic affairs at Clinton Community College. “By working together, we can open more doors for students, strengthen nursing education and ensure our graduates are ready to serve communities across the North Country.”

Through this consortium, student applicants who are waitlisted at one institution will have the opportunity to be redirected to another college with available capacity. In addition, the partnership will enable faculty sharing in specialized areas where instructors are limited, such as psychiatric nursing.

Peggy Bolster, assistant professor at Clinton Community College, will help lead instruction related to mental health. From shared curriculum to potential distance learning opportunities, the consortium is designed to maximize resources and expertise.

“I am very excited about the idea of a nursing consortium,” said Bolster. “It is an opportunity to share best practices and critical resources. I believe it will greatly benefit nursing students by broadening resources and incorporating more experts in specific fields. This, in turn, will further prepare students for the workforce.”

Clinton, which saw an overall enrollment increase of more than 9% year-over-year this fall, and a 50% year-over-year increase in nursing program enrollment, is working to expand programming. The formation of the consortium comes at a pivotal time for both students and the region’s healthcare system.