You don't need Johns Hopkins to become a nurse. You don't even need four years. On this Laurel Ridge Community College edition of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael is back on the Zooms with Director of Marketing Guy Curtis, joined by Dr. Scott Vanderkooi, Dean of Health Professions, and Dr. Amanda Hodges, Interim Director of Nursing — to talk about how someone in this region can become a working RN in two years, often for far less money than they assume, and with a 100% job placement rate to show for it.

The bigger news in this conversation is the launch of a brand-new weekend-and-online cohort starting in spring 2027, designed specifically for people who can't quit their jobs to go back to school. Online lectures, weekend labs, weekend clinicals — built around the reality that most adult learners are already working. Amanda walks through what the program looks like, who it's right for, and how CNAs, LPNs, EMTs, paramedics, and even total beginners can step in. Plus: how G3 state funding can cover the last dollar of tuition for eligible Virginia residents, and the upcoming online information sessions where you can learn more.

ABOUT THE NEW WEEKEND RN COHORT

Launching spring 2027, Laurel Ridge's new RN nursing cohort is built for adult learners who can't step away from full-time work. Lectures and coursework are delivered online. Labs, simulations, and clinical hours run on weekends. The program leads to an RN license — the same credential as the traditional weekday program — and qualifies for G3 last-dollar tuition funding for eligible Virginia residents.

WHO IT'S FOR

• Adults currently working who want to change careers

• CNAs, LPNs, EMTs, paramedics, and surgical techs looking to advance to RN

• People with no prior healthcare experience who want to enter the field

• Anyone who needs to keep their current job while going to nursing school

INFORMATION SESSIONS

• First session: Monday, June 23, 2026 — online

• Additional sessions throughout July (dates listed at laurelridge.edu/nursing)

• Sessions cover the new weekend cohort, the traditional RN program, the CNA program, and the Practical Nursing program — plus admission requirements, the entrance exam, and how to prepare. Parents of high school students considering nursing careers are welcome to attend.

ABOUT G3 FUNDING

G3 (Get Skilled, Get a Job, Give Back) is a Virginia state program that covers the "last dollar" of tuition costs for high-demand career programs at Virginia community colleges. Eligibility is based on household income — roughly $100,000 to $128,000 depending on household size — and Virginia residency. G3 stacks on top of any federal financial aid (like FAFSA) so it covers what other aid doesn't.

LINKS & RESOURCES

• Laurel Ridge Nursing — program info, info session registration, application: laurelridge.edu/nursing

• Schedule a campus visit: laurelridge.edu/visit

• G3 funding eligibility and details: laurelridge.edu/G3

THE VALLEY TODAY with Janet Michael — A decade of conversations.

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