Dear Lane Community,
I want to take a moment to address the college’s recent decision to pause enrollment in the stand-alone Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) program for the 2025-2026 academic year.
First and foremost, I want to assure our community that Lane Community College remains fully committed to LPN education and meeting the regional workforce needs in the healthcare sector. This decision does not represent a program closure. Rather, it reflects a strategic and temporary adjustment based on analysis and in alignment with emerging trends across Oregon and the nation.
Students at LCC qualify to take the LPN licensure exam following the completion of the RN (RN1) program, which offers the same curriculum and competencies traditionally offered through the stand-alone LPN certificate program, creating efficiencies in instruction, staffing, and student opportunity while maintaining a clear pathway for students interested in pursuing LPN careers.
Over the years, our stand-alone LPN pathway has opened doors into healthcare professions for students from all backgrounds. However, in recent years LCC has actively worked to expand entry points into nursing, including reviewing and removing barriers to admission prerequisites, developing bridge pathways such as LPN-to-RN and paramedic-to-RN options. These efforts reflect our broader commitment to flexibility, equity, and innovation in meeting students where they are and supporting them where they want to go.
I invite our partners, students, and supporters to reach out with questions, concerns, or suggestions as we continue to strengthen nursing education at LCC. Your voice matters and together we can ensure that LCC remains a leader in preparing compassionate, skilled healthcare professionals for our community.
Sincerely,
Dr. Stephanie Bulger
President
Lane Community College
June 5, 2025