Six students received recognition this week as the first ever graduates from Butler County Community College’s practical nursing program.
BC3 began the program in 2021 in response to a shortage of nurses in the Western Pennsylvania area.
“This is a historic and significant event,” Dr. Nick Neupauer, president of BC3 said. “We are thrilled to have this practical nursing program and even more thrilled to have our first graduating class. It’s exciting also that these students who are getting this credential can go immediately into the workforce.”
The licensed practical nursing program takes 48 credits to complete and most of the class work can be done in a year on BC3’s main campus.
“Now, with the shortage that has occurred since COVID-19, a lot of the hospitals are going back to the old model called team nursing, and LPNs are very instrumental in that process,”
Dr. Patty Annear, dean of nursing said. “LPNs are going to make a really big stance in the hospitals. That’s a big deal.”
The college currently has 21 students enrolled for the next year.
A recent study found that the need for licensed practical nurses is expected to grow by six percent in the next ten years.
