Spokane Community College (SCC) is now accepting applications for the first cohort of students in its Practical Nursing (PN) certificate program at the college's Colville campus, expanding access to nursing education for students in Stevens County and surrounding communities.
“I am thrilled that our very successful Practical Nursing program is expanding to Colville,” said Dr. Louis Kaplan, SCC Associate Dean of Nursing. “It is the fastest route to becoming a practicing nurse. Many of those who start as LPNs choose to eventually further their academic and professional credentials. The great advantage, of course, is that they are already working as a nurse and most employers will help pay for further education.”
Applications for the winter quarter cohort beginning January 5 are open now through September 15. The program also offers a summer quarter start, with applications opening January 15 and closing March 1.
The new Colville location for the program will provide four students per cohort with an opportunity to complete Spokane Community College's Practical Nursing certificate program closer to home while preparing for careers as licensed practical nurses (LPNs). Students in the Colville program will complete clinical rotations at local healthcare facilities.
Admission to the Practical Nursing program is competitive. Students may apply to either Spokane Community College's main campus in Spokane or the Colville campus after completing the program's required support courses. The Practical Nursing certificate program includes three quarters of prerequisite coursework followed by four quarters of nursing courses, allowing graduates to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN).
"The launch of our Colville cohort is an exciting milestone for Spokane Community College and our growing Practical Nursing program," said Spokane Community College President Dr. Jenni Martin. "We know healthcare employers throughout our region are looking for skilled nurses, and expanding opportunities for students in the tri-counties means more people can pursue rewarding careers without leaving the communities they call home.”
The expansion builds on Spokane Community College's reinstated Practical Nursing program, which returned to the Spokane campus in 2025 in response to regional workforce demand. The college designed the program to create additional pathways into nursing careers and help address healthcare workforce shortages across eastern Washington.
"Many rural communities face significant challenges in recruiting and retaining healthcare professionals," said Colville-based Dr. Katie Kleinhesselink, Dean of Rural Education at Spokane Community College. "This program creates an opportunity for local students to train locally, gain clinical experience in their own communities and begin meaningful careers that make a real difference close to home. We're excited to help more students take that first step into nursing right here in Colville."
For more information about admission requirements and application deadlines, visit the Spokane Community College Practical Nursing program webpage.