Columbia State Community College receives $2 million Rural Health Care Pathways Expansion Grant

Columbia State Community College has received a $2 million Rural Health Care Pathways Expansion Grant from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission. The funding will support the college’s “Rural RNs Rise (R3): Growing Caregivers” project, which will help create accessible pathways to careers in healthcare for Tennessee residents.

According to an article on Columbia State Community College’s website, Greg Johnson, who serves as the college’s EMS program director and assistant professor, was quoted as saying of the benefits of the grant funding, “We are thrilled to offer paramedics and LPNs the chance to expand their skill set and educational horizons through this new pathway. It's a tremendous opportunity for career growth and a vital step in strengthening the entire healthcare system in Middle Tennessee.”

The “Rural RNs Rise (R3): Growing Caregivers” project includes a new paramedic-to-RN pathway as well as enhancements to the college’s existing LPN-to-RN program. The goal of the project is to help address the shortage of healthcare workers and nurses in the region by creating talent pipelines to fill open positions in nursing and healthcare.

The grant from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission includes funding for the college to hire an LPN/Paramedic-to-RN pathway coordinator and a success navigator who will assist students in taking advantage of the offered wraparound services and successfully completing the pathway programs.

The new LPN/Paramedic-to-RN pathway gives individuals who are already working as LPNs and paramedics the opportunity to apply their relevant pre-requisite general education courses to the pathway. They will then be able to complete the transition courses and enter into the third semester of the traditional in-person nursing program for the fall. Then in the next May, they will be able to graduate with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Nursing and will be eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam. 

Dr. Loretta Bond, who serves as the college’s nursing program director, said, “What an exciting time here at Columbia State to be able to provide a new pathway for LPNs and paramedics to enter the nursing practice as RNs. This pathway will serve as a vital solution to address critical nursing shortages!”

Dr. Kae Fleming, the college’s dean of the Health Sciences Division, noted, “Receipt of the R3 grant provided the college with funds to develop and implement an opportunity for LPNs and paramedics — many who are former Columbia State students — to care for and about patients in new ways!”

For more information about Columbia State Community College, visit the school’s website.