LPN program receives approval from NH Board of Nursing – classes begin January 2020

Claremont, NH – To help address the significant shortfall in the number of nurses in New Hampshire, River Valley Community College (RVCC) is launching a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) program, with its first student cohort beginning January 21, 2020. The new LPN program, recently approved by the New Hampshire Board of Nursing, will be offered at RVCC’s Claremont campus and can be completed in three semesters.

“There’s significant demand for LPNs in the state. We continually hear from our clinical partners and providers who are looking for a new stream of employees,” said Dr. Eileen Glover, LPN program director and professor of nursing at RVCC. “Additionally, the demand from prospective and current students who want to continue their nursing education is high, especially from those who have received their LNA (License Nursing Assistant) and are looking to work towards their LPN. We are excited to offer a program that’s in such demand and look forward to accepting our first cohort of students in the New Year.”

Working under the supervision of physicians, mid-level practitioners and registered nurses, LPNs play a critical role in providing patients with quality care in a variety of settings that include long-term facilities, outpatient clinics, physician’s offices, acute care settings and others. They serve as a crucial component of multifaceted healthcare teams that work collaboratively to deliver the best care possible for patients.

The college began developing the new program in June, 2019 and has been working diligently to put the required pieces in place – including receiving approval from the NH Board of Nursing and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) – to launch for the spring 2020 semester. According to Glover, workforce development groups, partners and leaders from healthcare centers who are in desperate need of employees, voiced their support of the proposed program to legislators and others in the community.

“The healthcare community was truly instrumental in the successful launch of our LPN program and eagerly stepped up to the plate to partner with us.” said Glover. “We are delighted to play our part in helping solve the shortage of healthcare workers in our state by offering comprehensive programs that train those who wish to pursue a career or advance themselves in healthcare.”

Individuals interested in the LPN program at RVCC must have successfully passed all four sections of the nursing entrance exam, ATI’s TEAS, have had high school or college chemistry and must submit their high school transcript, GED or HiSet in order for the application to be complete. Prospective students are also required to be a licensed nursing assistant (LNA) in order to apply to the program. Interested students who do not meet these prerequisites are encouraged to speak with a RVCC advisor about ways to achieve eligibility. Classes start January 21, 2020.

To learn more contact Eileen Glover at 603-542-7744 ext. 5422, [email protected] or visit rivervalley.edu.

About River Valley Community College

River Valley Community College is one of seven colleges in the Community College System of New Hampshire, offering thirty-nine associate degree and certificate programs in Claremont, Keene, Lebanon, and Online. Financial Aid and Scholarships are available. The seven community colleges in the system are committed to working with businesses throughout the state to train and retain employees to develop a robust workforce across all sectors and embraces the “65 by 25 Initiative,” which calls for 65% of NH citizens to have some form of post-secondary education by 2025 to meet future workforce demands.

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