San Juan College and San Juan Regional Medical Center have formalized a partnership to expand local nursing education by executing a memorandum of understanding that increases the college’s Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) cohort capacity by 50 percent. The move is intended to create a faster pathway into high-demand nursing positions across San Juan County and the broader Four Corners region.

Under the agreement, the two-year, five-semester ADN program will scale up through added clinical placements and closer coordination with San Juan Regional Medical Center. The hospital will work with the college to align clinical experiences and student support with workforce needs, enabling a greater number of students to complete hands-on training locally. By expanding placements and institutional support, the college can admit more students without requiring them to travel outside the region for essential clinical rotations.

Leaders on both sides described the arrangement as a long-term investment in the regional healthcare workforce. For students, the change means quicker access to certifications and employment opportunities in local hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities. For employers, it offers a more reliable pipeline of graduates who have trained in the same clinical settings where they may be hired, potentially easing staffing shortages and reducing onboarding time.

Keeping training close to home also addresses a practical barrier for many prospective nursing students in rural and semi-rural areas: the need to travel or temporarily relocate to complete clinical requirements. The expansion is expected to help retain students who might otherwise be deterred by commuting costs or the logistical challenges of out-of-region clinical placements. Those local advantages may translate into higher graduation rates and stronger community ties between new nurses and the patients they will serve.

The ADN program’s five-semester structure allows students to move from foundational coursework into concentrated clinical practice within two years. With the hospital’s support in scheduling and placement, San Juan College can balance classroom growth with the requisite hands-on experiences that state nursing boards and employers expect.

While specific timelines for the scaled cohorts and the exact number of additional seats were not disclosed in the memorandum, college and hospital leaders framed the agreement as a strategic response to persistent demand for nurses across the Four Corners. The partnership reflects a growing trend in higher education and health care toward regional collaboration to build workforce capacity.

As the program expands, community stakeholders will be watching for how quickly graduates enter the local job market and whether the coordinated approach translates into improved staffing stability at San Juan Regional Medical Center and other area health providers. For residents of San Juan County, the initiative represents a local solution to staffing and training challenges and a meaningful opportunity for residents seeking a career in nursing without leaving the region.