BOSSIER CITY, La. — Bossier Parish Community College has received approval from the Louisiana State Board of Nursing to add four new clinical training sites to its LPN-to-RN Apprenticeship Program, expanding opportunities for licensed practical nurses to complete required clinical hours while remaining employed full time.
The newly approved clinical partners are Christus Shreveport–Bossier Highland Medical Center, Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport, Intensive Specialty Hospital and Minden Medical Center. The additions allow eligible LPNs working on medical-surgical floors to complete a significant portion of their clinical training at their current workplaces, reducing barriers to career advancement while supporting regional workforce needs.
BPCC began piloting the apprenticeship model last year in partnership with the Willis-Knighton System. Since the program’s launch, three LPNs have graduated, demonstrating the feasibility of combining academic progression with on-the-job clinical experience.
“These partnerships significantly enhance our students’ clinical experiences and support the continued growth of our LPN-to-RN Apprenticeship Program,” said BPCC Chancellor Dr. Rick Bateman Jr. “We are grateful for LSBN’s approval and for the collaboration of our regional health care partners who are committed to supporting the next generation of nurses.”
The program is designed to provide a streamlined pathway for working LPNs seeking to advance their credentials while addressing ongoing nursing shortages across the region. By enabling participants to earn clinical credit while maintaining full-time employment, the model aligns education with workforce development.
BPCC officials said the addition of Minden Medical Center also extends the apprenticeship program into rural communities, expanding access to advanced nursing education for LPNs outside major metropolitan areas.