The diploma program will begin at the college’s Leitchfield campus in August 2025.
Beginning in August 2025, Elizabethtown Community and Technical College will offer a practical nursing diploma program at its Leitchfield campus. The new program is a response to the area’s shortage of licensed practical nurses. Students who participate in the program will complete the program within one year and who will then be able to pursue licensure and head into the workforce.
According to an article on Elizabethtown Community and Technical College’s website, Tabitha Stevenson, who serves as the school’s practical nursing lead faculty, was quoted as saying of the program addition, “Practical nursing is a great option for those who want to enter the nursing workforce and improve their earnings sooner. Our region is not excluded from the nationwide shortage of LPNs, so we are especially excited to provide students a new pathway to a rewarding nursing career.”
The program is a one-year program, with courses taking place in the fall, spring, and summer sessions. Ten students will participate in the first cohort of the LPN program, with that number expanding to 20 in 2026.
Licensed practical nurses are a crucial part of the healthcare workforce, filling roles in nursing homes, doctors’ offices, long-term care facilities, and home health organizations. As the population ages, the need for licensed practical nurses will continue to increase.
Cindy Carman, the administrative coordinator of ECTC’s Leitchfield campus, said, “The practical nursing program is a welcome addition to our campus. Our faculty and staff are excited to help aspiring nurses who want to start their careers faster, and we’re very proud to play a key role in developing the workforce that Grayson County employers need to be successful.”
For more information about Elizabethtown Community and Technical College’s website, visit the school’s website.