MEDFORD, Ore. (Apr. 30, 2026) — Rogue Community College says state grant funding and partnerships with regional healthcare providers are helping expand its nursing program as southern Oregon continues to face workforce shortages in the healthcare sector.
The college announced Thursday that investments through Oregon’s Workforce Ready Grant program have increased nursing cohort sizes from an average of 56 students in 2023 to 128 students this spring. RCC said it plans to grow enrollment further to 144 students in the fall term.
RCC received $970,000 in 2023 to increase nursing program capacity through partnerships with Asante Health System and Providence Medford Medical Center. College officials said the program later received additional funding, including a recent $225,000 award intended to sustain and accelerate that expansion.
“We take seriously our role in preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals,” said Rusty Riis, RCC dean of health and public service. “This growth reflects both the strength of our partnerships and our commitment to ensuring that students are equipped to meet the evolving needs of our community.”
College officials said the funding has also supported expanded use of simulation-based clinical education, allowing students to train through high-fidelity patient care scenarios designed to mirror real-world medical settings.
RCC said the simulation model is intended to strengthen clinical decision-making skills, improve student engagement and better prepare graduates to enter patient care roles at healthcare facilities across the Rogue Valley.
“Our partnership with Rogue Community College reflects a shared commitment to building a sustainable health care workforce in southern Oregon,” said Robert White, vice president and chief nursing officer at Asante Three Rivers Medical Center. “Together, we are preparing nurses to meet the growing and complex needs of the communities we serve.”
Healthcare systems in Oregon and across the nation have reported persistent shortages of nurses and other clinical staff in recent years, driven by retirements, burnout and growing patient demand.
RCC officials said the college will continue working with healthcare partners and community supporters to meet workforce needs while expanding access to nursing and healthcare education in Jackson and Josephine counties.
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