January 6, 2025
[SPOKANE, Wash.] –Spokane Community College (SCC) has officially welcomed the first cohort of students to its new Practical Nursing program that began on January 2.
The one-year certificate pathway attracted interest from 26 applicants who competed for eight spots to be the pilots of the newly established allied health program.
The practical nursing program is filling a crucial gap in the region’s healthcare workforce, providing the next generation with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed. With a focus on practical hands-on experience, students will receive a comprehensive education in four quarters that prepares them for a rewarding career in nursing.
Early in 2024, SCC received the Rural Health Grant through the State Board of Community and Technical Colleges that has supported the successful establishment of the practical nursing program that local healthcare employers like Providence and Multi-Care have requested to be brought back to the community college.
The initial $90,000 allocated in 2023 allowed SCC to lay the groundwork for the practical nursing program and support enrollment increases in Spokane. An additional $45,500 was allocated early in 2024, followed by $250,000 for the 2025 fiscal year to develop and implement the curriculum in rural locations around Spokane.
“By welcoming the Practical Nurse Program, we are investing in the future of healthcare in our community,” said SCC President Dr. Jenni Martin. “With the generous support of this grant, we will provide accessible, high-quality training that empowers individuals to become skilled healthcare professionals, while also addressing the critical shortage of nurses in our region. This initiative strengthens our community by fostering local talent and ensuring better patient care and a more resilient healthcare workforce for years to come.”
SCC has long-range plans to make the Practical Nursing program available in rural Eastern Washington communities as well as plans to build a Certified Nursing Assistant/Medical Assistant bridge to Practical Nursing and Practical to Registered Nurse bridge to provide multiple pathways to nursing careers.
Spokane Community College and Spokane Falls Community College are part of Spokane Colleges, one of the largest higher education providers in Eastern Washington, serving about 30,000 students each year. Spokane Colleges provide higher education, early learning and corporate and continuing educational services across a six-county region in northeastern Washington. Both colleges are accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.