Press Room

North Idaho College’s nursing department has partnered with the Idaho Department of Labor to provide practical nursing training in rural North Idaho.

The Idaho Workforce Development Council recently provided $50,000 in Workforce Investment Act Funds to NIC for practical nursing education for certified nursing assistants in rural communities as a way to help increase the number of licensed health care providers in the region.

The funding will support the conversion of the didactic portion of the NIC Practical Nursing program to an online format, so it can be delivered at health care facilities where the certified nursing assistants are employed. Funding will also go toward the development and delivery of online preceptor training as well as lab supplies and training materials.

“It is anticipated that Workforce Investment Act funds will be used to support tuition and fees for students who meet WIA program requirements,” said Vicki Isakson of the Idaho Department of Labor.

Local employers will recommend certified nursing assistants from their facilities to participate in the program. The certified nursing assistants must meet all the prerequisites for the program prior to being accepted. Planning is set to begin immediately with plans to offer the first practical nursing program in June 2010.

“Health care, specifically nursing, continues to be one of the most consistent high demand careers,” said NIC Health Professions and Nursing Division Director Lita Burns. “This grant will help fill that need while advancing employees to higher wage positions and employers won’t lose employees while they attend training.”

Students in the practical nursing program Jim Griffin, Marti Kettle and Elizabeth Ragan of Sandpoint listen while Janice Vickery of Bonners Ferry points out features on a model in the nursing laboratory at North Idaho College. NIC recently received a grant in conjunction with the Idaho Department of Labor to provide practical nursing training in rural North Idaho.