The highlight of the program is a Mobile Nursing Lab which was available for the public to tour during the event. The RV is retrofitted with two simulated hospital rooms and students will be able to use state-of-the-art, high-fidelity simulation technology. The mobile unit will travel to rural communities to deliver lab and clinical training, which helps supplement education offered in the program curriculum, giving students a place to hone the skills necessary for success in the nursing field.

In addition, students taking part in the program will be able to take classes online and attend lab and clinical experiences in their regions during evenings and weekends.

“This new program and our Mobile Nursing Lab will help give individuals across the state access to educational opportunities they’ve not had before,” said Chad Callen, chairman of the board at West Virginia Junior College. “This program will help build career opportunities for those in our rural communities for generations and aid in bringing vital healthcare services to the areas of our state that are most in need. We remain committed to education and workforce development and are looking forward to this new program’s success.”

The program will target students from four rural regions, including Region I which consists of Randolph, Barbour, Tucker, Upshur, Lewis and Taylor counties. The goal is connect students in these counties with healthcare providers to reach and expand the next generation of the rural nursing workforce. DMC and Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital are the affiliated partners in the region, though WVJC is currently working to build additional partnerships.

One of the simulated hospital rooms and state-of-the-art equipment inside the Mobile Nursing Lab.

“Without the partnerships that we have, none of this would have been possible,” said Samantha Esposito, President of the West Virginia Junior College campus in Morgantown. “We hope to be able to expand across the state of West Virginia as the program moves forward.”

For more information about the program call 304-449-4273 or go online to wvjc.edu