Interested in a career in healthcare? There has never been a better time than now. There’s a need and multiple opportunities at Lenoir Community College.

LCC is expanding its health sciences and nursing programs to address the shortage in the healthcare industry by implementing new programs and expanding the number of students accepted into the nursing program.

The state-of-the-art Floyd Health Sciences Center opened its doors in 2023 creating classroom and clinical space to mirror what students would encounter in hospitals and operating rooms. The new facility has allowed the growth and innovation of new programs in high demand fields. 

“We recognize that expanding health sciences and nursing programs offers a multifaceted solution to the nursing shortage,” says LCC President Dr. Rusty Hunt. “We must be more creative in our offerings. By increasing the number of students we can accept into our nursing program, we can ensure a steady supply of qualified professionals to meet the rising demand for healthcare services.” 

Hunt said that nationally and locally, healthcare facilities are facing staffing challenges as demand for services continues to rise. Factors such as an aging population, increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, and the retirement of experienced nurses contribute to this growing gap in the nursing workforce. “To address this issue effectively, it is essential to invest in the education and training of future healthcare professionals.”

LCC Dean of Health Sciences and Nursing Dr. Alexis Welch said increasing the College’s enrollment capacity is a move in that direction. “The College has been approved by the North Carolina Board of Nursing to expand our nursing students from 80 to 100 beginning in the fall of 2024,” says Welch. “This will allow us to address the current shortage of qualified nurses that is being felt statewide.”

Welch said this shortage poses a serious threat to patient care and highlights the urgent need for innovative solutions. “We have taken the approach to offer diversified pathways such as LPN to ADN, Paramedic to ADN, and Career College Promise (CCP) high school into the healthcare field to meet the needs of our students.” 

New health-related program offerings include a Sleep/Neuro Technician certificate where someone who is interested in the diagnostic field of sleep can earn a certificate in 15 weeks and be ready to enter the workforce performing diagnostic EEG studies.  A student can earn college credit towards a degree in Polysomnography upon successful completion of this certificate.

Also, the College is offering two new opportunities for Radiography graduates - Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), both courses are 20 weeks. Beginning in July, coursework for CT is completely online with face-to-face clinicals. Topics include computed tomography procedures, equipment operation, patient care, and image processing and display. MRI is planned for January 2025. The certifications are open to registered Radiographers (AART).

“Besides our traditional day offerings, we also offer a diploma in Medical Assisting in the evenings,” says Welch. “We recognize that those interested in a healthcare career have schedule demands that make it difficult to attend in a traditional day setting.”

The College also offers short-term training classes at the centers in Lenoir, Greene, and Jones Counties. Classes include EKG Technician, Psychiatric Technician, Pharmacy Technician, Medication Aide for Nursing Homes, and Medication Aide for Adult Care for Assisted Living facilities and/or prisons, Phlebotomy Technician, Infection Control, Medical Coding, Central Sterile Technician, Health Unit Coordinator, Laboratory Assistant and Nurse Aide levels I and II Refresher courses. 

The College offers Nurse Aide I in both English and Spanish. Other offerings include Nurse Aide II, Electronic Health Records, and Medical Administrative Assistant. Nurse Aide I and II Refresher courses are also available. Classes are delivered in hybrid, traditional and online formats to accommodate the needs of students.

For more information, contact Dr. Dusk Stroud, Director of Admissions and Enrollment Management at (252) 527-6223, ext. 394 or dostroud89@lenoircc.edu or Dr. Alexis Welch, Dean of Health Sciences and Nursing at (252) 527-6223, ext. 801 or abwelch27@lenoircc.edu.