Fresno State’s School of Nursing will host a health care symposium for Central Valley industry groups and professionals on Saturday. 

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The event will be held in the North Gym from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is designed to showcase the university’s nursing program, which was ranked 24th in the nation in 2015 by industry publication Nurse Journal. 

“We feel that it’s long overdue that the School of Nursing at Fresno State establish professional and educational programs not just for our current students but for our former graduates, community nurses, and health care professionals,” said Dr. Peter Garcia, assistant professor in the School of Nursing. 

The symposium is aimed at licensed health care professionals in nursing, pharmacy, physical therapy, radiology and more. Continuing education units will be offered to all participants. 

“This symposium is aimed at the professional community, but also includes our own current students because the future of nursing is the younger generation—those who are either getting into the program, about to get into the program or perhaps just entered the program,” Garcia said. 

Dr. KT Waxman, assistant professor and director of the Executive Leader Doctor of Nursing Practice program at the University of San Francisco, will deliver the keynote address focusing on the theme of “the future of nursing.” 

Waxman currently serves as treasurer of the American Organization for Nurse Executives, a 9,000-member association, and will discuss current trends and emerging roles within the nursing field.

The symposium is $45 for licensed registered nurses and attendees, and $15 for all undergraduate students. More event information can be found on the school’s website. 

Fresno State’s School of Nursing offers programs at the undergraduate, graduate and doctorate level. Upon graduation, most students will go on to serve the Central Valley in hospitals, clinics and schools.