What a unique and opportunistic employment position nursing students are in at Western Nevada College.

Instead of visiting potential employers for job interviews, the hospitals and health care facilities came to them on Tuesday for WNC Nursing Program's annual Job Fair.

But that was only part of the three-hour event in the Cedar Building. One-hundred Registered Nursing and Certified Nursing Assistant students also received professional development information and advice as well.

Alba Morales, a first-year RN student, was impressed as a first-time participant of the event.

“This has been amazing,” she said. “I’m very appreciative that a school cares for its students to put on this kind of event. I want to learn for the rest of my life and make it count.”

The event was presented by the National Student Nurses Association (WNC Chapter) to assist nurses secure future employment, interview with hospitals and health care facilities, learn about available scholarship funding through WNC Foundation and gain more knowledge about four-year colleges about bachelor degree opportunities. 

“They dressed for success, as though this was an official job search,” said WNC Nursing Faculty member Kathryn Cocking. “One of the greatest benefits of the Fair to both students and vendors was the exposure. The students voiced that they had been unaware of so many and varied potential employers. The schools and healthcare facilities that participated, loved having a chance to pitch their programs to those entering the work world or furthering their education very soon. We sincerely appreciate the support that the vendors offered WNC and our students.”

Cocking said that students left the Job Fair with employment opportunities.

“Several of the students lined up job interviews; a few others left with actual job offers,” she said.

Morales’ desire to continue her education beyond an associate RN degree has inspired her to explore RN to B.S.N., RN to M.S.N. and RN to doctorate education pathways. The Job Fair also opened her eyes that she can work in a variety of health care settings, including hospitals, acute care, home care, as a traveling nurse, and more.

Participating vendors included Renown Regional Medical Center, St Mary’s, Carson Tahoe Hospital, Carson Valley Medical Center, Banner Churchill Hospital, Gardnerville Health and Rehab, Carson Tahoe Transitional Rehabilitation Center, Nevada Department of Corrections, Ormsby Post-Acute Rehabilitation, Mountain View Health and Rehabilitation, Visiting Angels, Centerwell Home Health, Snow Angels Home Care, American Sentinel College of Nursing and Health, UNR Orvis School of Nursing, Grand Canyon University, Chamberlain University, University of Phoenix, Nevada State University, WNC Financial Aid, Foundation and SANDI/ROADS scholarships.

For more information about the WNC Nursing Program, go to wnc.edu/nalh, phone 775-445-4425 or email nursing.alliedhealth@wnc.edu.