What is I Can Achieve a Nursing Degree (ICAN)?

The I Can Achieve a Nursing Degree (ICAN) program works within and with marginalized and underrepresented communities to showcase employment opportunities in nursing and healthcare for our youth. These efforts will build a more diverse community of healthcare professionals, improving the quality of care across the spectrum.

The program is a collaborative community mentorship model for underserved youth to achieve a bachelor’s degree in nursing and employment as a professional Registered Nurse (RN). Students in grades 10 through 12 are paired with a diverse group of nursing mentors, who inspire and encourage students along the way.

In This Section

Activities for the students in medical settings, such as Albany Medical Center Hospital and the nursing simulation labs and classrooms at Russell Sage College, inspire students to envision themselves as nursing students and nursing professionals.

“The opportunity to create a replicable, collaborative model with our partners is a WIN-WIN for the community.”

Dr. Glenda B. Kelman
Department of Nursing chair at Russell Sage College

Program Highlights

  • Currently serves:
    22 students and 20 nurse mentors
  • Addresses the anticipated nursing shortage in New York state through a model that engages community partners and stakeholders.  
  • Recruits and supports high school students with experiential and academic activities to nurture their interest in nursing and health careers and contribute to their resumes.
  • Provides mentorship from an experienced nurse who leads students in discussing and exploring the vast opportunities in nursing and provides advice on navigating the process to achieve their career goals.
  • Demonstrates diverse representation in healthcare through empowering mentors dedicated to addressing social determinants of health through education.

Our Partners

Through the ICAN program, Russell Sage College works in partnership with:

The Black Nurses Coalition Kids summer camp visits Kellas SIM lab (ages 5 to 13) to talk about health and what Nurses do.

Our Supporters

  • Innovation Partnership between Albany County and MVP Health Care
  • Mother Cabrini Health Foundation
  • Highmark Blue Shield of Northeastern New York

Past Events

ICAN Summit

Inaugural ICAN Summit, October 25-26, 2024.

The two-day summit on Russell Sage College’s Albany campus drew more than 500 participants and addressed various audiences in the work to address social determinants of health and equity and representation in healthcare.

Seminars were held for healthcare and K-12 and higher education professionals and fun and educational STEM-related activities for students and their families.

ICAN in the News

Contact us

Contact us

Geoffrey Miller

Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

518-244-4720

 

milleg3@sage.edu