The program will be available beginning in the Summer 2025 semester to help Licensed Practical Nurses earn their associate degree and allow them to pursue licensure to become a Registered Nurse.
West Virginia Northern Community College is launching a new program that will help Licensed Practical Nurses pursue further education and the opportunity to become a Registered Nurse. The college’s new LPN to RN bridge program will launch with the Summer 2025 semester and will prepare students to help ease the shortage of Registered Nurses the area is currently experiencing.
According to an article on West Virginia Northern Community College’s website, Dr. Daniel Mosser, the college’s president, explained the importance of launching this program and how it will affect the region. Mosser is quoted as saying, “This is another example of how West Virginia Northern Community College is meeting the needs of our local healthcare system. When I speak with CEOs of area hospitals, they consistently stress the high demand for Registered Nurses. This program is a vital step in training more healthcare professionals to serve our community and address this critical workforce need.”
The program will take students three semesters to complete and will give them the hands-on training opportunities they need to prepare for licensure as a Registered Nurse and to step into the roles needed to fill the area’s workforce shortages. Students will be able to practice their skills in high-tech simulation labs using learning software and manikins to simulate real-life nursing scenarios.
Hannah Westfall, the LPN Program Director for the college, said, “This is an incredible opportunity for our current LPNs and recent LPN graduates who aspire to become RNs. Our advanced simulation technology and resources provide students with practical experience and preparation for their careers.”
LPNs and RNs have distinct responsibilities that emphasize the need for further education and licensure to move from LPN to RN. While LPNs can perform patient care like administering medication and taking vitals, an RN is in more of a leadership role that will require greater critical thinking skills and greater clinical knowledge.
Keyser, Nursing Program Director for WVNCC, said, “We are thrilled to bring this program to WVNCC. The demand for Registered Nurses in our region has never been higher, and this program will help address the critical needs of staffing in our local healthcare facilities.”
For more information about West Virginia Northern Community College, visit the school’s website.