50 Years of Linn-Benton Nursing Department - Students at Clinic

 Since 1972 Linn-Benton Community College has offered nursing training. This two-year program requires prerequisite courses. With a limited number of students accepted, applications must stand out from the competition. 

Once a year applicants with a Certificate of Nursing Assistant either get to begin their path to an Associate Degree in Nursing or are encouraged to apply again next year. 

Students come from all backgrounds but all seek a career in care. Most of the students interviewed had children, natural care providers from experience now seeking a professional environment. 

There is a national shortage of registered nurses so the demand is high. 

“A professional RN works with healthcare providers and patients in a variety of settings,” according to the Director of LBCC’s Nursing Program Bonnie Larsen. 

“Our graduates are in so many healthcare settings; all three acute care hospitals in the area employ our graduates as well as many other facilities in the state and other states as well,” said Larsen 

Students acquire clinical experience from instructors such as Heather Peacock, who leads her students at Albany Samaritan Hospital. 

Peacock has an Associate Degree from LBCC, then went on to her Bachelor’s Degree and now has a Master’s Degree. She is currently working towards her doctorate in nursing. 

Peacock said she loves learning to further her education, which opens more doors for her career to grow. She fell into her dream job – teaching, molding the student nurses at a pliable stage. She said she feels like a mama duck, guiding them in the correct way to do things, which keeps the medical field safe in a structured way. She also works in labor delivery. Networking with faculty colleagues she happened to give teaching a try and found her passion.

Peacock said she adores learning and reading, riding her Peloton, being with her two young children, riding horses, and anything outdoors. She has four horses, four cats, two dogs, 10 chickens on 22 acres. She has been a nurse for 10 years. 

“You should surround yourself with inspirational people because you are only as stagnant as the weeds around you,” Peacock said.

“Because of COVID many classes are now online and it gives flexibility but lacks the bond of classmates,” she said. In clinical studies each student has one 12-hour session a week in either Lebanon, Albany or Corvallis, where they do rounds or observe surgical operations. 

For students with ambitions to achieve their master’s and doctorate, Linfield College in McMinnville and Bushnell University in Eugene have an articulation agreement with LBCC. 

Registered nurses can expect to begin at $39 per hour and with specialties such as midwife, anesthetist, and general nurse practitioner the wage increases significantly. 

‘With the versatility of nursing, there are a multitude of places to go during a career. Nursing isn’t for everyone – future nurses must like the unexpected, to be on their toes, and be able to think critically,” said student Victoria Larsen.

Students in training find little time for anything else, dedicating most of their time to intensive learning. By graduation new nurses find a rewarding career and are prepared because of the education received at LBCC. 

At A Glance:

When to apply: From March 22 st to April 1st applications are accepted.

Where to apply: Apply online

How many students are accepted: 54

Graduation rate: class of 2019- 94%, class of 2021 - 72%

NCLEX pass rate: Aprox 96%

Prerequisites: 2022 Nursing Bulletin