Western’s Nursing Education Program Builds Momentum with New Director, Grant

Western Colorado University’s new Nursing Education Program is gaining momentum this spring, with major funding support and a new director.

Program receives new grant

The Program received a $560,000 grant from The Colorado Health Foundation, which will be distributed over the next three years.

Western first started to explore the possibility of developing a nursing program focused on the unique needs of rural communities in 2023, after it received a $50,000 planning grant from the state’s Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT). The planning grant was followed by a $1.5 million Opportunity Now grant.

Emily McMahill, one of two faculty members helping launch the Nursing Program, said the award recognizes the importance of supporting programs that serve underserved populations, like those in rural areas.

“Our efforts to train nurses who understand the unique demands of rural healthcare resonated with the Colorado Health Foundation,” McMahill said. “The funds provided will help us build a nursing education program that garners awareness about the unique needs of our patient population and how to best support their health.”

Roten hired to be inaugural director

During the Program’s earliest days, a small and dedicated team of faculty and staff shouldered all of the many administrative tasks required to start a nursing program from scratch. As the program began to take shape, the team turned its attention to leadership.

In March, McMahill announced that Beth Roten had been hired as the founding Director of Western’s Nursing Education Program. Prior to arriving at Western, Roten was the Associate Chief Nurse of Outpatient Services at the Grand Junction Veterans Affairs Medical Center and Chief of Organizational Development and Education for the Western Colorado Health Care System.

“Beth brings a wealth of experience in clinical practice, leadership, and rural healthcare systems,” McMahill said. “Her passion for educating the next generation of nurses and her understanding of our region make her the perfect person to lead this program.”

First Cohort of CNAs graduate

But the Nursing Education Program is already on its way to help alleviate the growing need for frontline healthcare workers, especially in rural areas. In December, the first cohort graduated from Western’s new 10-week Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program, qualifying them to take the certification test and begin working in the field.

Following the successful launch of the Certified Nursing Assistant program, Western is submitting a phase II application to Colorado Board of Nursing to launch a fall 2026 accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, which will take approximately 12 months to complete, along with a traditional 4-year BSN.