Nursing program to expand to Libby

Citing a need in Lincoln County for qualified nursing staff, Flathead Valley Community College will expand its practical nursing program to the Lincoln County Campus in Libby.

The expansion will allow up to six Libby students a year to get Associates of Applied Science degrees in practical nursing to join the 20 in Kalispell who are in the program. 

Another 16 students are in the registered nursing program at the college’s main Kalispell campus.

Myrna Ridenour, the nursing program director, said she determined there was a desire to expand the program to Libby.

“The community expressed the need for nursing,” she said. “Cabinet Peaks [Medical Center] has expressed a need for nursing staff and this will help them. We’re pretty excited to have this opportunity.”

Students who have completed or are currently completing the prerequisite courses this spring and have minimum grade point averages of 2.75 in those required courses can apply for admission to the practical nursing program.

Applications are due by April 24 at 4 p.m.

Some clinical time will be provided in Lincoln County.

“But students should be aware they might have to spend some clinical time here in Kalispell,” Ridenour said. “We are looking at various technologies to get the classes ready for students.”

Top applicants will be asked to participate in a group interview. Final acceptance requires passing a background check, passing a tuberculosis test and providing proof of health insurance.

Several informational sessions will answer questions for those interested. 

The sessions at the Kalispell campus will be March 11 and April 20 at noon and April 21 at 4:30 p.m. The Libby session will be April 9 at noon.

For more information on the program, visit www.fvcc.edu/practicalnursing.html or call 756-3385.

Reporter Ryan Murray may be reached at 758-4436 or by email at rmurray@dailyinterlake.com.