The Nursing and Allied Health Wing opened at Jefferson State Community College’s St. Clair-Pell City campus in 2017.
Article from The Daily Home Update Edition 2018
A significant local advancement encompassing both health and education was made during 2017 when the new Nursing and Allied Health Wing opened at Jefferson State Community College’s St. Clair-Pell City campus.
“Jefferson State is so appreciative of the community support to make the new expansion possible,” said Keith Brown, the college’s president. “The new Nursing and Allied Health expansion will help meet the workforce needs of our community and make a difference in the lives of our students.”
The expansion includes two simulation labs, eight simulation training mannequins, one fundamental instruction lab, two classrooms, six offices and a conference/debriefing room.
“The leadership at Jefferson State has always been an incredible partner in economic development, education and workforce training,” said Don Smith, executive director of the St. Clair County Economic Development Council. “Their continued commitment to health care training in our community will assist the EDC in recruting another health care employer into this fast-growing medical-based cluster.”
When the Pell City campus building was construct- ed more than a decade ago, the wing was unfinished, but, with the demand for more nurses, Jefferson State moved forward with a campaign drive to raise private funds to complete the project. The new wing cost about $300,000, and private and public funds were used to complete the construction and equip the nursing wing.
More than 200 students have received nursing degrees since the campus opened in St. Clair, according to Brown. “Pell City has embraced Jefferson State like no other community,” he said. About 70 nursing students are enrolled at Jefferson State each year, and they intern at St. Vincent’s St. Clair Hospital, which is just down the street from the college.
The St. Clair-Pell City Campus has served more than 6,300 students since 2009, and the 2017 fall semester began with a record enrollment of 790 students.
Dr. Nicholas Kin, the campus’ associate dean, said the “new expansion is helping us and our students tremendously.”
