California is facing a nursing shortage crisis.  Recent data shows that the Southern/Central Valley is experiencing one of the most severe nursing shortages in the state.  Additionally, underrepresented and minority ethnic groups within the nursing work force are extremely low.  These circumstances, combined with The California Endowment’s commitment to increase funding in the Central Valley, make this region a logical choice for implementation of a pilot program, to address the dual issues of nursing diversity and the nursing shortage. For the purposes of this program, the Central Valley is limited to six central California counties: Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Merced and Tulare Counties for this $10 million pilot program, known as the Central Valley Nursing Work Force Diversity Initiative.

Nursing stakeholders in the area have been meeting to address the nursing crisis, providing a real opportunity to create change as part of The Endowment’s strategy to diversify the nursing work force in this region. This three-year initiative will address the shortage by targeting underrepresented groups of Californians in nursing education and career development. This strategy will not only tap into a previously underutilized pool of Californians, but will also improve the diversity of the nursing work force by focusing on increasing representation from racial and ethnic minority groups and males.