LAYTON -- Weber State University Davis officials are excited about the continuing increase in offerings available at the two-year-old facility. A nursing program will join the variety already offered, with campus director Bruce Davis excited at the prospect.

"We're of course delighted to have the program here. It will bring about 30 or so new students into the nursing program," he said.

With space already tight at the one-building campus opened in 2004, there will have to be modifications made to accommodate the program, Davis said.

"We are converting a classroom into a nursing practice lab this summer and bringing in three new full-time nursing faculty to the Davis campus," he said.

"I think it's a great thing for the community to have the nursing program out here. There are some substantial efforts from Davis Hospital and Lakeview. The hospitals have really stepped up to support this," Davis continued.

In addition to medical equipment and other support from the two Davis County hospitals, Intermountain Health care is donating funds to train 150 additional nurses overall at WSU. That will include support for the Davis campus student nurses.

With the IHC donation, 90 new registered nurse graduates will be trained over the next five years, and an additional 60 nurses graduating with bachelor degrees made possible.

"We are pleased to be able to continue our mission of meeting the health care education needs in our region. Nationally, there is a shortage of nurses, and the trend is expected to continue," said Shelley Conroy, dean of the Dumke College of Health Professions.

tbusselberg@davisclipper.com