LEWISBURG (WVDN) – The expansion of the New River Community and Technical College practical nursing program could mean the end of the Greenbrier School of Practical Nursing (GSPN).
GSPN first posted the news to Facebook on Friday, Mar. 18, stating that “the Greenbrier School of Practical Nursing staff has been informed that the GSPN will be closed after the 2022 class graduates. We have also received letters from [Greenbrier County Schools Superintendent] Jeff Bryant stating this. [The] plan is to have New River let our 19 applicants apply for their program next year.”
The referenced letter was supplied to The West Virginia Daily News anonymously. It was sent on March 8 and is addressed to Martha Snider, coordinator of the Greenbrier School of Practical Nursing.
“It is with regret that I must write this letter to inform you that I will recommend that the Greenbrier County Board of Education terminate your contract of employment effective September 3, 2022,” reads the letter from Bryant. “The reasons for this notification, pursuant to West Virginia Code 18A-2-2 are financial constraints and the need to realign certain staff. In particular, we are recommending the abolishment of the LPN program at Greenbrier East High School. … Your seniority is not adequate to permit your retention of employment [per State Code].”
On Mar. 24, Greenbrier County Schools and New River Community and Technical College (NRCTC) issued a press release addressing the practical nursing program.
“New River CTC is assisting the Greenbrier County Board of Education by helping students who have applied to the Greenbrier County School of Practical Nursing for the fall 2022 semester transition to a college setting in New River CTC’s practical nursing program,” says the release.
According to the press release, NRCTC was awarded $420,000 through West Virginia Governor Jim Justice’s Nursing Workforce Expansion Program, which looks “to address the state’s nursing shortage through a multifaceted approach to attract, train, and retain nurses in the Mountain State.”
The grant award is expected to expand the New River practical nursing program, “develop a paramedic to registered nurse pathway” and expand class equipment, such as adding “multiple manikins, two virtual dissection tables, along with other equipment and supplies.”
Participants would have access to “state-of-the-art medical training facilities,” “college-level credit” instead of the current program being “classified as a vocational training program,” and “joint planning for dual enrollment” that would “allow high school students to complete prerequisite courses while in high school.”
“Because college credit is awarded in New River CTC’s practical nursing program, students completing the program have a more seamless transition to building on their credentials in a RN program,” explained NRCTC Practical Nursing Program Director JoAnna Perry in the press release.
“We could not be more excited about expanding the opportunities for nursing students in our area,” Bryant said in the press release. “The facilities, financial aid support, and higher education program status make this decision the right one — the positive impact this will have on future nursing students and healthcare in our community just make this the right thing to do.”
The release also states that “staff at the Greenbrier School of Nursing can apply for teaching positions that may become available at New River CTC.”
Bryant’s letter to GSPN reflects the press release, stating “as you may be aware, the Greenbrier County Board of Education is facing restrictions which may impact personnel throughout the school system. We are reducing in certain areas and reorganizing to meet the projections and programmatic needs of our school children. Therefore, local, state and federal revenue must be carefully projected to cover personnel needs throughout the school system.”
In the social media post, GSPN disagreed that it was too expensive.
“As most of you know, our program is highly respected and has graduated over 600 LPNs in the last 45 years,” the post reads. “We keep our cost low at $5,500, including everything the student needs.”
The press release also addresses cost, stating the NRCTC program would have “eligibility for state and federal financial aid, including aid through the WV Invests Grant. The GCS LPN program does not currently offer federal financial aid options for students.”
The letter also states that a public hearing on the matter could be made available on April 12, at 5:30 p.m., if requested. The social media post confirms the hearing would be requested.
“The GSPN coordinator and students will be attending the Greenbrier School Board meeting on April 12 at 5:30 p.m.,” the post reads. “Please share and sign our petition.”
“Our petition” refers to a Change.org petition, “stop the Closing of the Greenbrier School of Practical Nursing.” As of press time, over 1,425 have signed, requesting the school be kept open. Change.org petitions, however, can be signed by anyone with access to the internet, so the total tally might not all be from the local area.
Snider celebrated when 1,225 signatures were reached, posting to its feed.
“I am so moved by the show of support for our school,” wrote Snider. “Please keep sharing, especially with all the graduates of the program. I also encourage the LPNs who graduated from our program and became RN to chime in. Because one of the reasons the school board wants to close the program is if you go to the NRCTC LPN program it is easier to go to the NRCTC’s LPN to RN program. Which is not true.”
According to the GSPN’s website, the program began in 1975 and endeavors to “foster the development of fundamental principles and values to guide the students as they meet the challenges of nursing in a variety of employment opportunities.”
The curriculum includes instruction on “basic nutrition, anatomy and physiology, social studies, fundamental nursing skills, basic pharmacology, basic pediatrics, introduction to medical-surgical nursing, aspects of the care of children and adults, maternity nursing, nursing of children and adults, maternity nursing, psychiatric nursing, and geriatric nursing.” In addition, “Clinical practice offers the student experience at Greenbrier Valley Medical Center, Greenbrier Manor, and other community agencies.”
The Greenbrier County Board of Education has not yet voted on the issue, but could during the next regular meeting in April, with Bryant’s recommendation.
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