The Practical Nursing program at Yavapai College is approved by
the Arizona State Board of Nursing
The purpose of this program is to increase skilled nursing professionals, and to expand and diversify the pipeline of nursing professionals who can fill quality jobs in Yavapai County while advancing equity.
- $80,000,000 in grant funds authorized by the American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act of 1998 for the DOL Nursing Expansion Grant Program.
- The U.S. Department of Labor has awarded Yavapai College (YC) $1.4 million to help address the nursing shortage by preparing more Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs).
Yavapai College (YC) will upskill experienced CNAs, LNAs, and Military Medical Personnel to a higher skill profession of Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN).
Yavapai College Allied Health Program
Yavapai County in north-central Arizona, which includes two sovereign Native American Nations (Yavapai – Prescott Indian Tribe & Yavapai – Apache Nation).
Yavapai College (YC) will address the Nursing Career Pathways Track of the Department of Labor Nursing Expansion Grant Program.
The populations we serve are county wide and include rural and underrepresented across geographic HPSA regions in Yavapai County. Included but not limited to:
- Underemployed, and/or incumbent workers from historically marginalized and underrepresented populations. To include males as a group, which are severely underrepresented in the nursing field.
- H-1B Occupations – Yavapai College (YC) will train participants for occupations at the middle skill level of Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) from all HPSA regions to include Williamson, Yavapai – Apache Health Center, Chino Valley, Black Canyon City, Prescott Valley, Cottonwood, and Sedona.
Dr. Marylou E. Mercado currently serves as the Associate Vice President of Health Sciences & Workforce Innovation at Yavapai College, overseeing the DOL Grant Project.
Ashley Picard is a Registered Nurse and has been at YC since 2014, currently serving as the Director of Allied Health. Ashley will lead the Fast Track Practical Nursing program implementation and management throughout the duration of the grant.
Jason Ebersole joined YC on January 12, 2009, teaching in the Allied Health, EMS, and Biology departments. Jason now serves as the Associate Dean of Health Science reporting to AVP Dr. Marylou Mercado in the Health Sciences Division. Jason is involved in providing general support for the DOL grant.
Sharal Patinathan joined YC on February 28, 2022, taking on the role of Instructional Support Specialist for the Nursing Program. Approaching her two-year mark with the college, she now serves as the Special Projects Coordinator to AVP Dr. Marylou Mercado in the Health Sciences Division. Sharal is involved in providing general support for the DOL grant.
Ashley Picard
ashley.picard@yc.edu
(928) 771-4862
https://yavapai.zoom.us/j/99434844598 - Advisory Meeting Zoom link
- November 15, 2023, 2-3pm
- February 21, 2024, 2-3pm
- May 15, 2024, 2-3pm
- August 21, 2024, 2-3pm
- November 2024
- February 2025
- May 2025
- August 2025
- November 2025
- February 2026
- May 2026
- August 2026
- November 2026
- February 2027
- May 2027
- August 2027
- November 2027
- February 2028
- May 2028
“This workforce product was funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. The product was created by the grantee and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The U.S. Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership. This product is copyrighted by the institution that created it.”