The Director of the Nursing Program at the American Samoa Community College (ASCC) aims for 90 percent of the nursing staff at LBJ Hospital and Department of Health to be locals by 2030.
Sandra Ho Ching says when she left LBJ Hospital in April to become Director of the ASCC Nursing Program, more than 50% of nurses at the hospital were foreigners.
The nursing program now has a strong presence on social media. Ho Ching explained that promoting the program to gain the attention it deserves is one of the ways that she and her staff are building support—and attracting more nursing students.
“We’re trying to build more awareness and attract students to the nursing program,” she said. The visibility has paid off. “We’re getting a lot of inquiries from students interested in joining,” said Ho Ching.
One of the outreach events that the Nursing Program conducted is offering free vital checks on Fridays at the college. Ho Ching said the response from students and faculty was positive, and they hope to continue this community service. 
Currently, they have 27 students taking the 10-week Certified Nursing Assistant course. Twelve students are in the Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) program and four are finishing their Registered Nurse studies this semester.
The students receive stipends from the Governor’s Special Programs budget.
At present, after the students pass their LPN courses, they have to work for one year before they can take the RN course. Ho Ching says she hopes to eliminate the one-year study requirement in between courses so that students can begin the RN course right after completing and passing their LPN.
She noted a need for more faculty, which would require funding support from the government, and other resources. Ho Ching and a CNA instructor are the only full-time staff. There are eight adjunct faculty, including nurses from the Department of Health and LBJ Hospital serving as part-time instructors.
Ho Ching said the whole goal is to provide more local nurses to take care of our people’s health. She’s confident that her goal of a 90 percent local nursing workforce by 2030 will be reached.
