BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. — Construction crews are already busy on a new West Virginia University School of Nursing campus in Bridgeport.
The location at Bridgeport’s United Hospital Center will provide new opportunities for prospective students who find themselves on wait lists.
“They were able to expand the building and add a floor for a campus,” explained Dr. Tara Hulsey, the nursing school’s deal. “It is absolutely perfect because I have a waiting list of second-degree students who want to get into nursing.”
United Hospital Center president and CEO Mike Tillman shared enthusiasm for the facility’s relationship with the university, noting both parties should benefit from the partnership.
“There are some schools of nursing that have qualified candidates that can’t get it,” he said. “This facility expands the capability of education systems to prepare nurses in West Virginia.”
The hospital area will be the fifth nursing school site in West Virginia, in which the first class of students will begin their studies in early 2023.
“I’m going to be doing scholarships that are specifically targeted to students who will agree to stay within our state for two to three years,” Hulsey said. “We’re trying to build the workforce for the state.”
The nursing school project is part of a $1 million campaign by United Hospital Center.