College of the Desert is expanding its nursing pipeline to meet the Coachella Valley’s growing healthcare workforce needs. Host Will Dean talks with Sarah Fry, Acting Dean of Mathematics and Sciences and Director of Nursing and Allied Health, about the college’s CNA, LVN, RN, and advanced placement pathways; rapid enrollment growth; and strong local graduate retention. Fry explains how community partnerships and the Healthcare Workforce Leadership Roundtable helped more than double RN admissions, while scholarships support students through a demanding program. They also discuss changing nursing roles, clinical judgment, technology, career exploration, dual enrollment, high school health academies, workforce retention, and the importance of collaboration among educators, employers, and community organizations. Fry also previews her participation in the 2026 Healthy Desert Healthy You Summit together.

Takeaways:

• Nursing enrollment has more than doubled.
• Ninety percent of graduates stay locally.
• Local partnerships strengthen healthcare workforce development.
• Scholarships help nursing students remain focused.
• Nursing increasingly requires strong clinical judgment.
• Dual enrollment creates earlier healthcare pathways.
• Retention matters as much as recruitment.
• Collaboration builds a sustainable workforce pipeline.

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