Creating another avenue for working professionals to earn their Bachelor of Science in Nursing, West Virginia Wesleyan College School of Nursing has launched a new LPN to BSN Pathway that will see students earn their degree through hybrid online courses and weekend clinical rotations.

The program recently received final approval from the West Virginia Board of Nursing and is ready to begin accepting its first cohort of up to 24 students, which would begin in August 2025.

Director of the WVWC School of Nursing Dr. Kimberly White, Phd, MSN, RN, said, “WVWC School of Nursing is excited to bring this pathway to BSN nursing to our local community. This is a vital step toward strengthening our local health care system. It provides licensed practical nurses (LPNs) with a flexible and accessible pathway to advance their education and become registered nurses with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). This not only helps address the growing nursing shortage but also improves the quality of care patients receive by equipping nurses with enhanced clinical skills and leadership training.”

“The hybrid format, which combines online coursework with in-person clinical experiences, makes it easier for working professionals to continue their education without sacrificing their current employment. By investing in the development of local talent, the program also supports economic growth and ensures that health care providers better reflect and understand the unique needs of the community they serve.”

Students will begin the program at WVWC, taking classes online but having one weekend a month on campus for testing, skills, and simulation labs. They will then move to Battlers Knob in Phillipi for their one-weekend per month on campus and will have one to two weekends of clinical rotations per month depending on the number of clinical courses they are enrolled in. The flexibility of the program provides for completion in two years if full-time or three years if part-time.

For more information, visit www.wvwc.edu/nursing.