WNC marks start of $4.4 million nursing expansion in Minden

WNC marks start of $4.4 million nursing expansion in Minden

RENO, Nev. (KOLO) Western Nevada College held a ribbon cutting and ceremonial demolition Tuesday to mark the start of a $4.4 million expansion of its Nursing Program at the Douglas Campus.

The event took place at 1 p.m. at the campus, located at 1680 Bently Parkway South in Minden.

The project is funded through a $4.4 million federal grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration. The renovation will convert existing campus space into a nursing education facility with simulation laboratories, clinical training areas and hands-on learning environments. Completion is expected in 2027.

WNC President J. Kyle Dalpe and college leadership attended the event to discuss the project, nursing education and the development of the region’s nursing workforce.

Nevada’s nursing shortage

Nevada has approximately 8 nurses per 1,000 residents, compared with 12 nationally, according to WNC.

Program outcomes

WNC’s Nursing Program reports an 88% pass rate on the NCLEX licensure exam and a 100% job placement rate.

Capacity and training space

Once complete, the facility will support 8 locally based first-year nursing students and 8 second-year nursing students. The new simulation laboratories will replicate hospital, long-term care and clinical patient assessment settings and will serve nursing students across WNC’s six-county service area.

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