Big things are happening at Western Nevada College’s Douglas campus. WNC celebrated the official start of a $4.4 million expansion of its nursing program on Tuesday, Oct. 13, at the college’s Minden campus.
Funded by a $4.4 million federal grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration and $1.6 million from the William N. Pennington Foundation through WNC Foundation, the project will transform existing campus space into a modern nursing education facility.
The expanded space will feature advanced simulation laboratories designed to replicate acute and long-term health care environments, clinical training areas, dedicated testing space, technology upgrades and new instructional equipment.
WNC President Dr. J. Kyle Dalpe and college leadership joined community leaders, health care partners and supporters to celebrate the milestone and its potential impact on the region. With a continuing need for health care professionals in Douglas County and throughout Nevada, the expansion will provide more opportunities for students to pursue nursing careers closer to home.
“This expansion represents a tremendous investment in the future of health care across Douglas County and throughout Northern Nevada,” said WNC President Dr. J. Kyle Dalpe. “By bringing expanded nursing education and advanced training opportunities to our Douglas campus, we are creating a pathway for more students to pursue rewarding careers in health care while helping address the critical need for nurses in our communities. We are incredibly grateful to the Health Resources and Services Administration, the William N. Pennington Foundation and all of our partners who are helping make this vision a reality. This is an investment in our students, our health care workforce and the well-being of the communities we serve.”
The project is about more than a new learning space; it’s an investment in students, rural health care and the future of the communities WNC serves.
The project is scheduled for completion in September 2027, with the nursing training facility officially opening for classes in spring 2028.
