More funding for ASCC nursing program discussed as Fono session ends

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Faipule support the idea that there should be more funds allocated to fund and support the nursing program at the American Samoa Community College (ASCC). They believe that this is the only solution to the problem of not enough nurses serving at the LBJ Tropical Medical Center.

A former Director of Nursing at LBJ Hospital believes the nursing shortage can be resolved if more funding is funneled into the nursing program at the college to hire enough qualified teachers.

Toaga Seumalo, who is the CMS Coordinator for the hospital, testified at a hearing of the House Health Committee that they have come to the Fono many times in the past to discuss the shortage of nurses.

She said the American Samoa Community College does not have enough teachers for the program and relies on nurses from the hospital to conduct the classes.

She advised that the Fono can help resolve the lack of local nurses if it allocates an adequate budget to the college to support the nursing program.

But as it is now, the program isn’t adequately staffed and nurses from LBJ are helping teach classes on top of their work schedules.

Mrs. Seumalo says the low salaries are what’s keeping good teachers away from the ASCC nursing program.

She told lawmakers if the government allocated more funding for the nursing program it would have enough qualified teachers to educate and train local nurses.