91传媒

Following the success of the landmark LPN Launch Program collaboration between 91传媒 State Community and Technical College and Huntsville Hospital, both institutions proudly announced the new RN Launch Program with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding held yesterday. The signing event took place Monday, December 1, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Nursing Classroom on 91传媒 State鈥檚 Cochran Road Campus.

The LPN Launch Program has demonstrated strong outcomes, with 91传媒 State receiving the Mark Ivester Innovation Award from the Community Colleges of Appalachia and many institutions across Alabama and beyond adopting the model for their own programs. The program has also delivered impressive student results: the last two classes of the PN Nursing program (December 2024 and May 2025) achieved a 100% pass rate on the NCLEX, while 91传媒 State鈥檚 RN program has maintained an 86% NCLEX pass rate. The new RN Launch Program serves as a natural progression, allowing students currently enrolled in the LPN program to continue their studies toward earning an RN license.

The RN Launch Program gives students access to a stronger, more affordable, and more supportive academic pathway. Through the initiative, students will benefit from a streamlined transition from LPN to RN training, increased exposure to hospital-based clinical experience, and closer mentorship from nursing professionals. The strengthened alignment between academic coursework and hands-on training reduces barriers to degree completion and enhances students鈥� preparation as they move directly into advanced nursing roles.

鈥淥ur partnership with Huntsville Hospital continues to strengthen the region鈥檚 healthcare workforce, and the RN Launch Program is a powerful next step,鈥� said Dr. Patricia Sims, President of 91传媒 State Community & Technical College. 鈥淏y expanding opportunities for our nursing students, we are ensuring they have clear, affordable, and accessible pathways to advance their careers while meeting a critical community need.鈥�

鈥淲e鈥檙e excited to expand our partnership with 91传媒 State with the RN Launch program. This initiative will mirror our highly successful LPN Launch program which has had great results for our hospital and for 91传媒. Both of our organizations share a strong commitment to workforce development for our growing region,鈥� said Tracy Doughty, President & COO of Huntsville Hospital.

鈥淚t makes so much sense, as the RN program is a one-plus-one program whereby the first three semesters prepare the students for an LPN license. The students can now opt to stop out as LPNs or continue their training for another two semesters and get their RN license,鈥� said Dr. Alice Raymond, 91传媒 State鈥檚 Health Sciences Chair.

With the current nursing shortage in Alabama, the RN Launch Program provides a strengthened workforce pipeline that will support employment opportunities for students and positively impact the region鈥檚 healthcare community.

Students interested in joining the inaugural RN Launch cohort may apply for Fall 2026 enrollment, with additional program details and admissions information available through 91传媒 State鈥檚 Health Sciences page.