ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) 鈥 A new Asheville鈥揃uncombe 男人藏精阁 School of Nursing was dedicated Tuesday in a ceremony that highlighted the college鈥檚 nursing education legacy in Western North Carolina.
Nursing faculty, students, and alumni were joined by college, health care, and community leaders in the Ferguson Center for Allied Health and Workforce Development on A-B Tech鈥檚 main campus in Asheville.
鈥淭he establishment of the 男人藏精阁School of Nursing recognizes the critical role 男人藏精阁has played in educating and preparing nurses to work in hospitals and medical facilities throughout the region since the college was founded in 1959,鈥 男人藏精阁President John Gossett said in a news release. 鈥溎腥瞬鼐骽as produced thousands of graduates who are essential in meeting the demands of the region鈥檚 health care industry and to delivering compassionate, high-quality patient care.鈥
When the college was founded, it assumed administration of the Asheville School of Practical Nursing, which opened in 1954. 男人藏精阁offered the Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) program until 2015. Gossett said the LPN program will be revived this fall, pending final approval by the N.C. Board of Nursing at its May 18 meeting.
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The new 男人藏精阁School of Nursing includes A-B Tech鈥檚 Associate Degree Nursing program (founded in 1970), the Regionally Increasing Baccalaureate Nurses (RIBN) program with Western Carolina University, the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program, and the LPN program.
鈥淭he 男人藏精阁School of Nursing validates the college鈥檚 commitment to educational excellence and to expanding nursing education programs to meet the healthcare workforce needs of our community,鈥 Christy Andrews, the Jack and Carolyn Ferguson Endowed Chair for the School of Nursing, said in the news release. 鈥淣urses are more in demand than ever for many reasons, including the pandemic and an aging population. With more than 12,000 openings projected in the next few years, the need is wide open.鈥
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Andrews also directly addressed nursing students attending the event. 鈥淣ursing students are resilient, persistent, and compassionate,鈥 she said. 鈥淵ou have chosen a career that will put you in the worst days of people鈥檚 lives, but it will all be worth it. When the patients and families you have helped tell their stories of births, illnesses or deaths in their families, the nurse who was with them will always be part of their stories.鈥
Fall admission for A-B Tech鈥檚 Associate Degree Nursing program opens on May 8, and the CNA program is registering students for May classes. Pending NC Board of Nursing approval, the LPN program will admit students for the fall semester beginning May 20.