WHEELING — West Virginia Northern Community College has been awarded $243,000 through Phase Three of West Virginia’s Nursing Workforce Expansion Program, an initiative designed to address the state’s nursing shortage through a multifaceted approach to attract, train, and retain nurses across the Mountain State.

Since the launch of the program, West Virginia has seen a nearly 25 percent increase in filled seats at nursing programs statewide. WVNCC has been a proud partner in this critical effort from the beginning. In the first two phases, the College expanded enrollment in its Registered Nursing (RN) program by 22 percent between 2023 and 2024 and invested in Simulation Labs and high-fidelity mannequins across all three campuses to enhance student learning and clinical preparedness.

Now, with funding from Phase Three, WVNCC will continue building on these achievements by addressing key gaps and expanding capacity to meet the growing demand for nurses in the region.

“WVNCC is deeply committed to growing a strong, skilled nursing workforce right here in West Virginia,” said Daniel Mosser, president of WVNCC. “This funding allows us to continue our momentum and invest in innovative strategies to support students, faculty, and healthcare providers throughout our communities.”

The college plans to focus on goals within five sectors as part of this third phase, including:

Enrollment growth with the reinstatement of its LPN to RN Bridge Program this summer;

Student success initiatives through the hiring of a new nursing success coach to provide focused academic support, as well as NCLEX exam fee assistance and access to the UWORLD NCLEX preparation platform for graduates;

Faculty recruitment and retention by offering competitive stipends and investing in professional development

Retaining graduates in West Virginia by forming stronger partnerships with local healthcare organizations and enhancing outreach to potential students;

Pipeline Collaboration through collaborative efforts with high schools, technical centers, and community partners.

“Our goal has always been to prepare students for the workforce and help them succeed every step of the way,” said Jill Keyser, WVNCC Nursing Program director. “This support allows us to strengthen every part of the student journey–from classroom to career–while expanding opportunities for those who want to make a difference in healthcare.”

The nursing program expansion awards, made possible by funding from the West Virginia Legislature, are administered by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission and the Community and Technical College System of West Virginia. For more information about WVNCC’s Nursing Program, visit www.wvncc.edu.