A program at Russell Sage College that inspires youth to seek careers in nursing, addressing a critical workforce and societal need, has received $275,000 from the Innovation Partnership.
The $275,000 in funding will help support the next two years of the I Can Achieve a Nursing Degree (ICAN) program, a collaborative community mentorship model at Russell Sage College that encourages youth from marginalized conditions to achieve a bachelor’s degree in nursing and employment as a professional Registered Nurse (RN).
“There is a shortage of nurses across the country due to a greater need for healthcare coupled with Baby Boomers retiring from the nursing profession. We can turn things around by investing in a program that will help alleviate the problem,” said Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy. “ICAN offers an opportunity for students who face other challenges to get the help they need to pursue their nursing degree. The Innovation Partnership is focused on bringing people together for the health and wellbeing of the community, which makes this a perfect collaboration.”
“Investing in the ICAN program isn’t just about shaping a healthier future — it’s about lighting the way for our students’ dreams in the Capital Region,” said Amy Harlow, MVP Health Care’s Chief Talent Officer. “We’re investing with intention, ensuring that our actions today foster a health care system that’s fair for everyone. MVP is honored to partner with Albany County and Russell Sage College, uniting in our mission to uplift the community’s health and happiness. Together, we’re building a brighter tomorrow.”
ICAN students in grades 10 through 12 are paired with a diverse group of nursing and healthcare professional mentors, who inspire and encourage students. Students engaged in hands-on learning opportunities at Russell Sage College, in their schools, and in healthcare settings, such as Albany Medical Center.
ICAN’s goal is to build a more diverse community of healthcare professionals, improving the quality of care across the spectrum. The ICAN program started with the Albany Leadership Charter School for Girls last academic year, serving 22 students with 16 healthcare professional mentors. This year, ICAN is also working with Green Tech to foster a passion for the healthcare field among its students and build the representation of men in nursing.
“Russell Sage College has been a top healthcare educator for more than a century, and we’re also an institution with roots in providing access to education for underrepresented communities,” said Russell Sage President Matthew Shaftel. “Our founder, Margaret Olivia Slocum Sage, believed in the power of education and research to address societal inequities and needs. ICAN is a creative and inspired way to address workforce development and community health and equity, and we’re so grateful to the Innovation Partnership for recognizing its benefit.”
According to the Commonwealth Fund, a foundation dedicated to promoting a high-performing, equitable healthcare system, “Research shows that a diverse and representative healthcare workforce improves patients’ access to care, their perceptions of the care they receive, and their health outcomes, especially for patients of color.”
According to the National Center for Health Workforce, Black non-Hispanic RNs were the smallest proportion of the nursing workforce at just under 8% followed by Hispanic RNs at 10%. By comparison, white, non-Hispanic RNs made up 73% of the nursing population.
Meanwhile, the overall number of nurses is not keeping up with demand. By 2030, the New York State Department of Health forecasts a shortage of more than 39,000 RNs statewide.
“New York state is projected to face a significant nursing shortage,” said Glenda B. Kelman, Ph.D., RN, ACNP, chair of the nursing department at Russell Sage. “Innovative programs and creative collaborative partnerships will provide opportunities to engage and interest youth and can become replicable models for other communities.”
On October 25 and 26, Russell Sage will host a free, two-day ICAN Summit on its Albany campus. Day one is for educators, health professionals, and policymakers, who will hear from social media star and “Medical Mythbuster,” Joel Bervell, and explore innovative and equitable solutions toward better community health while also alleviating healthcare workforce shortages.
Day two of the summit is a STEM Saturday event for students in kindergarten through high school, which uses fun STEM-related activities to inspire the exploration of healthcare careers.
“To ensure that others benefit from the development of ICAN, these promising practices will be shared during the annual ICAN Summit,” said Geoff Miller, director of diversity, equity, and inclusion at Russell Sage and ICAN program manager. “By educating and encouraging healthcare professionals, educators, families, and youth, ICAN creates a comprehensive support network for future BIPOC nursing and healthcare professionals.”
About the Innovation Partnership: The Innovation Partnership between Albany County and MVP Health Care is focused on one mission: leveraging the power of collaboration and innovation to improve the health and wellbeing of our communities.
About Russell Sage College: Founded in 1916, Russell Sage College is celebrating its largest new enrollment in at least a decade and serves bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral students on its two campuses in Troy and Albany, New York, and via online and distance programs. The college is now home to approximately 2,700 students and was ranked by U.S. News & World Report as 15th among national universities for Social Mobility and 35th in the nation for Best Value.