BOSSIER CITY, La. — Bossier Parish Community College has received a $300,000 grant through the Louisiana Department of Health’s Health Care Employment Reinvestment Opportunity Fund to expand a nursing apprenticeship program aimed at addressing registered nurse shortages in rural northwest Louisiana.
The funding will support BPCC’s LPN-to-RN Rural Apprenticeship Pathway, which allows licensed practical nurses to continue working while completing the college’s Associate of Science in Nursing program and clinical training.
The program will serve 20 licensed practical nurse apprentices over a 24-month period, with 10 students enrolling each fall semester. Participants will complete academic coursework and structured clinical experiences through partnerships with Willis-Knighton Health System and Minden Medical Center.
College officials said the apprenticeship pathway is intended to increase nursing training capacity, reduce financial barriers for working healthcare professionals and strengthen the registered nurse workforce in rural communities across the region.
“This funding creates meaningful opportunities for licensed practical nurses to advance their careers while continuing to serve their communities,” said Michael Whitaker, dean of nursing and allied health at BPCC. “The apprenticeship model supports working professionals by allowing them to earn RN credentials without stepping away from their employment, and we are grateful for the Louisiana Department of Health’s support of this pathway.”
Willis-Knighton Health System and Minden Medical Center will assist with onboarding, training and retaining participants throughout the apprenticeship program. Graduates who complete the program and meet licensure requirements are expected to transition into registered nurse positions within the partner healthcare facilities.
BPCC said its Associate of Science in Nursing program maintains completion and licensure pass rates above state averages. The college reported a first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate of approximately 98.7%, which it said was the highest reported in Louisiana.
BPCC Chancellor Rick Bateman said the initiative will help address workforce needs in underserved areas.
“This initiative strengthens the healthcare workforce in some of the most underserved areas of our region,” Bateman said. “We are proud to work alongside our healthcare partners to expand access to high-quality nursing education and ensure that rural communities have the skilled professionals they need.”