Clinton Community College Plans Move of Nursing, EMT Programs to UVM Health Network – CVPH

Clinton Community College plans to relocate the educational space for its renowned nursing and EMT programs to The University of Vermont Health Network - Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital (CVPH) beginning with the Fall 2025 semester. The move is a unique opportunity to further develop the college's leading nursing and emergency medical programs as it prepares for the August shift of the main campus and most of its other operations to buildings on Beekman and Court Streets at the SUNY Plattsburgh campus.

The new educational space for the college's programs will help meet the growing demand for skilled nurses in the North Country, create a sustainable pipeline of qualified professionals to meet area needs, and offers Clinton Community College students an enhanced learning environment, positioning both institutions as pioneers in education-healthcare partnerships.

The nursing and EMT programs will remain fully the college's own accredited programs, taught by Clinton faculty, with simply the physical relocation of these specific operations. Plans and details will be developed over the next few months with the college, hospital and network leaders, as well as other stakeholders. This process will finalize space and infrastructure needs.

Established Pathways

The new location will include simulation and nursing labs, classrooms, office space, testing areas and storage rooms for nursing and emergency medical programs. Workforce training and professional development space for CVPH staff and other partners will be planned around class and open lab times.

The two organizations have long collaborated on pathways to upskill CVPH employees and other area professionals, developing a robust pipeline of RNs. The new location will provide a consistent flow of graduates trained in the facility, building familiarity with culture, processes, and standards, reducing onboarding time and costs. It further adds to area workforce development, addressing the national and local nursing shortage by investing in the education of future healthcare professionals. It also fosters CVPH's role as a cornerstone of the North Country, committed to education, health, and workforce development.

Clinton Community College will bring its equipment and high-quality simulation labs and combine this with access to real-world clinical environments that surpass what the college can offer independently. A hospital-based program is highly attractive to prospective students, offering a hands-on learning experience in a professional setting. Students gain practical experience in the hospital, making the transition from education to employment smoother and more effective.

Historical Roots

The Clinton Community College nursing program has a rich history that dates back to 1910 when the Grey Nuns of the Champlain Valley Hospital, then located on Rugar Street, established a school of nursing. The program’s first home was Champlain Valley Hall, now part of the SUNY Plattsburgh campus. In 1913, the Champlain Valley School of Nursing celebrated the graduation of its first class, consisting of eight students.

In 1963, the Grey Nuns withdrew from Champlain Valley Hospital, and the administration of the nursing program was assumed by lay personnel. Four years later, in 1967, Champlain Valley Hospital merged with Physicians Hospital on Beekman Street to form CVPH Medical Center. In 1969, the Champlain Valley School of Nursing relocated to the CVPH campus and became known as the CVPH School of Nursing. That same year, a cooperative agreement was signed between the CVPH School of Nursing and the newly established Clinton Community College, allowing nursing students to receive college credit for courses in social sciences, biological sciences, and humanities.

In 1977, the CVPH School of Nursing officially transferred its program to Clinton Community College under the leadership of Dr. Agnes Pearl. Two years later, in 1979, the first class of the CCC Nursing Program graduated 22 students earning their nursing degrees. As of 2024, Clinton Community College’s Nursing Program has proudly graduated 1,440 students, continuing a legacy of excellence in nursing education and service to the community.

Locating a college nursing program at a hospital is also not just a return to roots for CCC's program, it has also been a path in other parts of the country, including Florida, Missouri and Wyoming.

Outstanding Program

Clinton Community College’s nursing program has been ranked third in New York by Nursing Schools Almanac, based on outstanding student performance on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

Graduates in 2023, for example, achieved a pass rate of 96.15 percent. This accomplishment highlights the college's commitment to providing high-quality nursing education and preparing graduates to excel in their professional licensing exams. The impressive ranking is a testament to Clinton Community College’s dedicated faculty, rigorous curriculum, and focus on student success.

The college's Nursing Admissions Committee welcomes applications. The process is competitive due to the high number of applicants. Candidates are urged to review the general college and specific nursing admission requirements online at clinton.edu/nursing.

Quotes

SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. said, "This partnership is a forward-thinking model of collaboration in education and workforce development. By embedding Clinton Community College’s nursing and EMT programs within the region’s premier healthcare facility, we are creating an innovative pathway that enhances the learning experience for students while strategically addressing the critical healthcare workforce needs of the North Country. Partnerships like this reflect SUNY’s critical role as a leader in preparing communities for a stronger and healthier future."

President of The UVM Health Network – Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital Michelle LeBeau said, "This innovative program will benefit our community for generations to come. It will help to ensure that the region continues to have a plentiful and exceptionally trained health care workforce while providing people in our organization and throughout the North Country with opportunities for professional growth and career enhancement. CVPH and Clinton Community College have a long history of working together to train and educate exceptional health care professionals and I am confident that this new chapter will continue that legacy."

Clinton Community College Administrator in Charge Ken Knelly said, "This location and the cooperation with The University of Vermont Health Network - Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital will enhance our nursing program for decades to come. From recruitment and future growth to serve this region, to the quality environment and support, this is a home run for healthcare education in the North Country and beyond. This is a flagship program for Clinton and this guarantees that status ahead."