Southwest Virginia Community College expanding nursing program to Bluefield Va and Buchanan County
Oct. 13—CEDAR BLUFF, Va. — Southwest Virginia Community College (SWCC) has announced that it is expanding its registered nursing (RN) program by offering it in Bluefield, Va., and Buchanan County, Va.
The two-year program that prepares students to pursue a career as a registered nurse will be offered at the Bluefield Center and in classrooms and space inside the 23,000-square-foot Southern Gap Transportation and Logistics Center in Buchanan County, SWCC officials said recently.
Applications to enroll at the new locations are now open through February 15, 2024. Classes at these locations will begin in time for the Fall 2024 term. The expansion will make the program more accessible for students who are geographically spread out across the college's service area, SWCC officials said.
Dr. Clint Pinion, Dean of Health Sciences at the college, said the goal is to offer one RN program at three locations.
"Expanding our Nursing program to Bluefield and Buchanan County aligns with our institutional mission of providing quality educational opportunities for the local workforce and community," Pinion stated. "Students at both new locations will have access to state-of-the-art classrooms, laboratories, and simulation technology, gaining valuable experiences. We are proud to be part of increasing the wellness of countless citizens of the Commonwealth and the region."
The two new locations will alleviate the commuting burden for students who drive to the college's main campus from the far reaches of the college service area, SWCC officials said.
Additionally, the Bluefield Center will be able to serve students from the neighboring West Virginia counties of Mercer, McDowell, Summers, Monroe, and Greenbrier, who are interested in pursuing a 2-year nursing program, by enabling them to attend while benefiting from in-state tuition rates.
The nursing program at SWCC offers classroom instruction, hands-on training, and supportive mentoring by seasoned nursing faculty. Students gain direct nursing experience in clinical settings and work with current nursing technology while enrolled.
In addition to the standard college application, a separate application is required for the registered nursing program. Applicants to the RN program must have taken the ATI TEAS exam within the last five years and achieved a 45 or higher National Percentile score, according to SWCC officials. The ATI TEAS Individual Performance Profile transcript (PDF) must be attached to the application.
For more information and specific details on the program, application, or financial aid, contact the college at 276-964-2555.
The associate degree nursing program at Southwest Virginia Community College located in Cedar Bluff, Virginia, is approved by the Virginia State Board of Nursing and accredited by the: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 Atlanta, GA 30326. The phone number is 404-975-5000.
The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the associate degree nursing program at SWCC is: Continuing Accreditation. View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program at http://www.acenursing.com/accreditedprograms/programsearch.htm.
— Contact Greg Jordan at gjordan@bdtonline.com
Contact Greg Jordan at gjordan@bdtonline.com
