Merced County, California (211,000), decided to address its current and projected nursing shortage by partnering with Merced Community College. As a result of this partnership, the college has doubled the number of students—the number has gone from 24 to 48—who enroll in its nursing program each year. Elaine Craig Program Manager/Public Information Officer Department of Workforce Investment Merced County 1880 West Wardrobe Avenue Merced, CA 95340 209/724-2028 Fax: 209/725-3592 E-mail: ecraig@co.merced.ca.us