Everest College Adds Nursing Program, Touts $1.2 Million Expansion

Everest College in Henderson debuted its new nursing facility on Wednesday, a step in the upstart school’s continuing expansion.

President David Fritz and Director of Nursing Dina Saucher, with help from Henderson City Councilwoman Debra March and Economic Development Manger Bob Cooper, cut the red ribbon on the $1.2 million project. The for-profit college has been at its location on Stephanie Street, near Wigwam Parkway, for little more than a year.

The 14,900-square-foot building houses a training room with six hospital beds, along with mannequins so students can simulate almost any medical procedure — from childbirth and breast exams to wound trauma and administering an IV.

Computer labs with SmartBoard technology and auxiliary classrooms fill out the rest of the facility.

Fritz said the Henderson campus has boosted its enrollment from 450 to almost 1,200 students in the past year. Designed to be accessible for working people, the school offers classes from 6 a.m. through midnight, daily.

With its growing student population, Fritz said it was time to offer additional opportunities. And with Wednesday’s ribbon cutting, he said he was confident of the school’s future.

“There is a huge sense of accomplishment,” he said. “The key is to deliver what we promise — quality education.”

Everest College is part of Corinthian Colleges’ network of schools, which includes dozens of campus in the U.S. and Canada. Fritz said the Henderson location is its fastest-growing.

Nursing will be added to a curriculum that includes, among other associate degree programs, paralegal, business, criminal justice and accounting studies.

In the current market, Fritz said the valley seemed to have room for a new nursing program. To give it a competitive edge, Everest students will gain first-hand experience throughout their education, rather than taking an extended internship, he said.

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