Western Nevada College nursing student Lupe DeSantiago left the college’s annual Job Fair not just with a stack of brochures but with a sense of possibility. “This is a really exciting opportunity to have one-on-one conversations with possible employers,” she said. “It’s motivating to know we could be working with some of these professionals soon.”

More than one hundred first- and second-year students in the program participated in the annual Nursing Job Fair and Professional Development event in the Bristlecone Building. Nursing Assistant students and pre-nursing students also took part in the event.

"Today is a great day for the nursing division students and staff to connect and collaborate with community partners and potential employers. Being new to the area, it is particularly exciting for me to meet representatives from the community health care facilities and businesses,” said WNC Nursing Director Dr. Audey Auer. “The WNC nursing program has a long-standing record of success with student program completion and national certification exam pass rates. It is pretty impressive how many WNC nurses I meet when visiting local and regional healthcare facilities. Today, I got to visit with our partners on our campus."

More than anything, the three-hour event sponsored by the National Student Nurses Association (WNC Chapter) provided the nursing students with exposure to a varied list of potential employers who came to see them, instead of the other way around.

“They are able to submit their résumés for job consideration, as well as be enlightened about the many different facilities and opportunities available in Northern Nevada,” said WNC Professor of Nursing and event organizer Kathryn Cocking.

Representatives from area hospitals, healthcare facilities and senior care facilities participated. Moreover, nearby university representatives, and some from as far away as Post, Grand Canyon and Phoenix universities, encouraged students to consider their educational options upon graduating.

In addition to these participants, Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Northern Nevada staff was available to sign students up for volunteer opportunities. The WNC Financial Aid office and Foundation were also present to educate students about financial assistance.

First-year nursing student Josh Sanders, who was thrilled about the networking connections, learned that there was employment available early in his nursing education.

“There are more opportunities than I thought existed and it’s nice that they are taking apprentices to work under the nurses,” he said.

 

WNC Professor of Nursing Kathryn Cocking

In the past, it’s not uncommon for the college’s industry partners to offer students employment on the spot, or invite them to work as Certified Nursing Assistants until they graduate. The career possibilities extend beyond immediate employment with many universities pitching their Bachelor’s degree Nursing programs to the students. The Job Fair brings into focus what is possible for students once they complete WNC’s Associate of Science degree Nursing program.

“We are grateful that so many of our healthcare industry partners attend our Job Fair to better prepare our students for what is possible and what to expect in the job market,” said WNC President Dr. J. Kyle Dalpe. “These experiences will only make our Nursing students better prepared after graduation.”

Participating vendors included Renown Regional Medical Center/South Meadows, St Mary’s, Carson Tahoe Hospital, Carson Valley Health, Banner Churchill Hospital, Mount Grant General Hospital, Pershing General Hospital and Nursing, U.S. Navy, Sierra Basin Post Acute, Centerwell Home Health, American Sentinel College of Nursing and Health Sciences/POST, Western Governors University, Orvis School of Nursing at UNR, Grand Canyon University, Chamberlain University, and University of Phoenix.

For more information about the WNC Nursing program, visit wnc.edu/nursing, phone 775-445-4425 or email nursing.alliedhealth@wnc.edu.