WNC Nursing Students Meet Employers, Explore Careers at Job Fair

Western Nevada College (WNC) hosted its annual Nursing Job Fair on Tues, Feb. 24, at the Bristlecone Building on the Carson City campus, connecting nursing students with major employers, universities, and support services to explore career pathways and continued education options.

Participating employers included Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center, Carson Valley Health, CenterWell Home Health, Sierra Basin Post Acute Care, and the Nevada Nurses Association. In addition to employment opportunities, university representatives from the Orvis School of Nursing at the University of Nevada, Reno; Western Governors University; Chamberlain University; Walden University; American Sentinel College of Nursing and Health Sciences; Post University; and the University of Phoenix discussed BSN pathways and advanced degrees.

WNC offers several nursing degrees to meet diverse career goals. The primary program is the Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (AAS), which prepares students to become registered nurses (RNs). In addition to the AAS degree, WNC provides a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program for those seeking entry-level positions in healthcare. Students can also pursue prerequisite coursework at WNC to transfer toward a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) at partner universities.

“Attending the Nursing Job Fair gave me the chance to connect with employers and learn about career options I hadn’t considered before,” said WNC student Jamie Martinez. “It was inspiring to see how many opportunities are available and to feel supported as I take the next steps in my nursing career.”

Students also received information from the WNC Financial Aid Office and WNC Foundation staff on scholarships and financial support. For many, the event opened doors to career options they hadn’t previously considered, including apprenticeship-style roles and early employment while pursuing their Associate of Science in Nursing degree. Industry partners have been known to offer positions on the spot or invite students to work as certified nursing assistants until graduation, demonstrating a strong demand for WNC-trained healthcare professionals.

“Our nursing program takes great pride in preparing compassionate, highly skilled nurses who are ready to serve the healthcare needs of Northern Nevada,” Dr. Audrey Auer, WNC Director of Nursing and Allied Health, said. “Events like our Job Fair highlight not only the strong demand for our graduates, but also our commitment to educating professionals who will provide quality care and make a meaningful difference in the communities they call home.”

The annual fair underscores Western Nevada College’s commitment to supporting students beyond the classroom, connecting them with career pathways, advanced education, and community engagement to strengthen the region's healthcare workforce.

For more information about WNC’s Nursing program, visit wnc.edu/nursing, call 775-445-4425, or email [email protected].