Community September 01, 2008
Gateway’s launchpad to a nursing future
Marina Syrax, RN, might never have become a nurse if it weren’t for the associate degree program at Gateway Community College. When she moved to Connecticut several years ago, she was unable to find a job in probation, a field she loved. Nursing was her "Plan B," but she needed to juggle school with the full-time sales job she’d found. The new program at Gateway was unique in that it offered evening classes and clinical rotations attracting working parents and other non-traditional students.
Yale-New Haven was one of the associate nursing degree program’s staunchest supporters since the program was created in 2002, and has already provided $400,000 toward a five-year, $1 million pledge it made last year to ensure slots in the program for 30 New Haven residents. Funding Gateway was a bold move on the part of YNHH, which has been looking for creative solutions to a shortage of teaching programs for nurses. Nearly 200 students have graduated since the program started, and 96 enrolled for the 2008-2009 academic year. While Gateway graduates can work anywhere they want, many have accepted jobs at YNHH.
Thanks to Gateway, Syrax moved from Plan B to her ultimate career goal. "I believe everything happens for a reason," Syrax said. "Nursing was the right fit for me. I like working with people, and I enjoy the challenges. In fact, it was probably the best move I ever made."
