West Virginia Northern Community College (WVNCC) has been awarded $1 million through West Virginia Governor Jim Justice’s Nursing Workforce Expansion Program. This funding will address the state’s nursing shortage through a multifaceted approach to recruit, train, and retain nurses in the Mountain State. A fundamental part of this grant is to invest in nursing program expansion projects at colleges, universities, schools of nursing, and career technical education centers across West Virginia.The College plans to add nursing simulation labs on all three campuses with these grant funds. These labs will include individual patient rooms, control rooms, observation rooms and the latest software for nursing education. The grant also includes funding for mannequins, hospital beds, room supplies and faculty professional development. Construction of the simulation rooms is scheduled for this summer with the opening expected for the Fall 2022 Semester.“We are extremely grateful to the state for this funding,” commented WVNCC President Dr. Daniel Mosser. “These funds will significantly strengthen our already successful Allied Health Programs and give our students experience with the latest technology in health care training.”
The Nursing Workforce Expansion awards are administered by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission and Community and Technical College System. Twenty-six funded projects across the state were announced by Gov. Justice on March 17. Approved projects focus on increasing completion of pre-licensure nurses through several approaches including timely degree completion and licensure for graduates.
“We are tremendously grateful to Gov. Justice for providing this historic funding to support the expansion of nursing education programs across West Virginia,” said Dr. Sarah Armstrong Tucker, West Virginia’s Chancellor of Higher Education. “Through these new projects, our postsecondary education community will be better positioned to help shore up West Virginia’s nursing workforce – which, in turn, will help support our nurses working tirelessly on the front lines.
Governor Justice announced the West Virginia Nursing Workforce Expansion Program in December 2021 by dedicating $48 million to support new and expanded initiatives that will train new nurses, fully fund the West Virginia Nursing Scholarship Program, value nurses already practicing in the state, and recruit additional nurses to West Virginia.
West Virginia Northern Community College’s mission is to educate and empower individuals to achieve academic and career goals, leading to a highly skilled, well-rounded, and accomplished workforce which successfully competes and adapts in a global economy. The College responds to the needs of the region it serves by offering a high-quality learning environment that is accessible, safe, and accommodating while nurturing teamwork and community service. Founded in 1972, WVNCC is comprised of three campuses located in New Martinsville, Weirton and Wheeling.