Bossier Parish Community College (BPCC) has been awarded $300,000 through the Louisiana Department of Health’s Health Care Employment Reinvestment Opportunity (H.E.R.O.) Fund. The funding will support the college’s LPN-to-RN Rural Apprenticeship Pathway, an innovative program designed to address critical nursing shortages across northwest Louisiana.
BPCC’s LPN-to-RN Rural Apprenticeship Pathway will serve a cohort of 20 licensed practical nurse (LPN) apprentices over a 24-month period, with 10 students enrolled each fall semester. Participants will remain employed while completing BPCC’s Associate of Science in Nursing curriculum and structured clinical training through partnerships with Willis-Knighton Health System and Minden Medical Center.
The apprenticeship pathway is designed to expand training capacity, reduce financial barriers for working healthcare professionals, and strengthen the registered nurse workforce in rural communities throughout northwest Louisiana.
“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 are committed partners in the initiative and will play a vital role in onboarding, training, and retaining program participants throughout the apprenticeship experience. Upon successful completion of the program and licensure requirements, graduates will transition directly into registered nurse positions within partner healthcare facilities.
BPCC offers an accredited Associate of Science in Nursing program with consistently strong student outcomes. The program maintains completion and licensure pass rates above state averages and recently achieved approximately 98.7% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate, the highest reported in Louisiana. These outcomes reflect the college’s commitment to delivering rigorous, high-quality nursing education and preparing graduates for immediate workforce entry.
BPCC Chancellor Rick Bateman added, “This initiative strengthens the healthcare workforce in some of the most underserved areas of our region. 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.”