LEWISBURG, WV —Since March 2019, the New River Community and Technical College and Greenbrier County Schools (GCS) partnership initiative has focused on collaborating to increase educational opportunities for students, improve services, and increase efficiencies for both institutions. As part of the partnership, New River CTC is assisting the Greenbrier County Board of Education by helping students who have applied to the Greenbrier County School of Practical Nursing for the fall 2022 semester transition to a college setting in New River CTC’s practical nursing program.
To accommodate students who had applied to the Greenbrier County School of Practical Nursing, New River CTC will offer online information sessions about the program, provide information on the admissions and financial aid process, and offer opportunities for interested students to complete prerequisite courses before the start of the fall 2022 semester. Future practical nursing students in Greenbrier County will benefit from New River CTC’s program in several ways, including:
- Access to state-of-the-art medical training facilities at New River CTC.
- Eligibility for state and federal financial aid, including aid through the WV Invests Grant. The GCS LPN program does not currently offer federal financial aid options for students.
- College-level credit provides a more efficient path for those who wish to pursue an RN degree. The GCS LPN program is currently classified as a vocational training program.
- New River CTC’s practical nursing program has been fully accredited by the West Virginia State Board of Examiners for Licensed Practical Nurses since 2004. New River CTC’s practical nursing program was recently granted ACEN candidacy status, which is a mark of excellence that only one other program in the state has achieved.
- Joint planning for dual enrollment will allow high school students to complete prerequisite courses while in high school.
“Because college credit is awarded in New River CTC’s practical nursing program, students completing the program have a more seamless transition to building on their credentials in a RN program,” explained New River CTC Practical Nursing Program Director JoAnna Perry.
Superintendent of Greenbrier County Schools Jeff Bryant states, “We could not be more excited about expanding the opportunities for nursing students in our area. The facilities, financial aid support, and higher education program status make this decision the right one -- the positive impact this will have on future nursing students and healthcare in our community just make this the right thing to do.”
Last week, New River CTC announced the award of over $420,000 through West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice’s Nursing Workforce Expansion Program, which is designed to address the state’s nursing shortage through a multifaceted approach to attract, train, and retain nurses in the Mountain State.
Through New River CTC’s award, the college will equip additional classroom and learning space for the expansion of the practical nursing program and develop a paramedic to registered nurse pathway. Funds from the program will allow New River CTC to host a national expert on concept-based curriculum design, to purchase multiple manikins and two virtual dissection tables along with other equipment and supplies.
Staff at the Greenbrier School of Nursing can apply for teaching positions that may become available at New River CTC.
New River CTC’s Certificate of Applied Science in Practical Nursing is an 11-month program. The college currently offers practical nursing in Greenbrier, Nicholas, and Raleigh counties.
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