Conan the Nurse Educator

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger Friday announced $2.7 million in grants to 18 registered nurse education programs across the state, including more than half a million dollars to three Bay Area programs. The grants are part of the Song-Brown Program, established by the Legislature in 1973 to increase the number of family practice physicians, physician assistants and registered nurses providing care to state residents. "These programs help nursing students by providing them more opportunities to pursue careers in nursing and help communities by directing more services to medically underserved areas across the state," Schwarzenegger said in a statement. "This is also a part of my long term commitment to address California's nursing shortages by helping to expand nursing programs and improve the supply of qualified nurses in our state." In the Bay Area, California State University, East Bay received $240,000, Oakland's Merritt College received $200,000 and San Rafael's Dominican University of California received $84,000.