How Centra is Training Tomorrow's Healthcare Workforce
If you skim any recent healthcare headlines, you are likely to read about how the United States is currently facing workforce shortages within healthcare and that these shortages are only projected to increase in the coming years.
Recognizing the need for doctors, advanced practice providers, nurses, patient care technicians and other clinicians to continue caring for the communities of central and southern Virginia, Centra has proactively worked to develop programs and collaborate with other organizations to provide ways for the next generation to be trained in healthcare careers.
Below you’ll find some examples of ways we’re sparking interest in the healthcare field among young minds and equipping those with existing interest to be well-prepared for their career.
Summer Career Camps
These multi-day programs offer middle and high school students hands-on activities and observational experiences across various Centra facilities. Participants explore a wide range of healthcare fields, including nursing, radiology, physical therapy and infection prevention while learning directly from Centra professionals. Camp sessions also include simulations of patient care experiences and hands-on CPR training. With offerings in Farmville, Bedford and Lynchburg, we aim to provide children and teens across our service area with this fun exposure to the field.
Beacon of Hope Internships
Beacon of Hope is a non-profit that provides equitable resources and creates bridges to post-secondary education for all young adults in the city of Lynchburg. Centra’s partnership with Beacon of Hope has enabled students to rotate through different areas of the organization through an internship program that exposes them to healthcare career opportunities that they would not have had otherwise.
Project SEARCH Internships
Centra partners with Project SEARCH, a Lynchburg City Schools program, to provide internship opportunities for young adults with disabilities, helping them develop vocational skills and transition into meaningful employment. Offering hands-on training in a supportive healthcare environment, participants ages 18-22 gain real-world experience in various roles. These interns have already graduated with an applied studies diploma and are continuing their education through Project SEARCH to build essential workplace skills. Typically, around a third of program graduates secure employment within a Centra facility.
Centra College
Centra College is playing a vital role in preparing the next generation of nurses. With four distinct nursing programs—including Nurse Aide (CNA), Practical Nursing, Associate Degree in Nursing and Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing—the college provides multiple entry points for individuals interested in a nursing career. Students benefit from state-of-the-art classrooms, laboratories and simulation facilities, gaining hands-on experience guided by highly skilled faculty and clinical preceptors. Beyond academics, Centra College fosters a supportive learning environment with dedicated staff assisting students through admissions, financial planning and career preparation. By offering a specialized real-world education, Centra College equips graduates with the knowledge and confidence to meet the evolving demands of the profession. As Centra continues to invest in workforce development, Centra College remains a key part of ensuring our region has a strong pipeline of well-trained nurses ready to serve our community.
Nurse Externships
The Summer Nurse Externship Program provides nursing students with valuable real-world experience before they graduate. This eight-week paid program pairs students with experienced nurse preceptors, allowing them to work alongside care teams, develop clinical skills and gain firsthand exposure to the fast-paced world of patient care. Externs begin with a structured orientation before spending seven weeks following their preceptor’s schedule, working up to 40 hours per week in Centra facilities where they assist with daily tasks and provide direct patient care. Designed for associate’s degree in nursing and bachelor’s degree in nursing students within one year of graduation, the program offers a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between classroom learning and professional practice. By participating in this immersive experience, students not only refine their skills but also build confidence as they prepare to step into their future roles.
Nurse Residency
To ensure new nurses are well-prepared for the challenges of the profession, Centra offers a comprehensive one-year Nurse Residency Program designed to bridge the gap between education and professional practice. This structured transition-to-practice curriculum equips newly graduated licensed practical nurses and registered nurses with the skills needed to manage stress, enhance critical thinking and make confident clinical decisions. Through a combination of classroom instruction, simulation exercises, mentorship and hands-on clinical experiences, residents gain the support and knowledge necessary to excel in their roles. The program fosters a collaborative learning environment where participants can safely discuss their experiences and seek guidance from their mentor. With a focus on patient safety, leadership development and evidence-based practice, Centra’s Nurse Residency Program provides a strong foundation for long-term career success.
Lynchburg Family Medicine Residency
At Centra’s Lynchburg Family Medicine Residency (LFMR), medical school graduates receive the additional hands-on training needed to become skilled, compassionate physicians. For over 40 years, LFMR has provided a rigorous yet supportive learning environment where residents care for a diverse patient population under the close supervision of experienced faculty. With access to 750 hospital beds, a small-group practice model and specialized learning opportunities—including elective rotations—residents develop the clinical expertise needed to provide comprehensive, patient-centered care.
Heart & Vascular Institute Physician Assistant Fellowship
Centra’s PA Cardiology Fellowship Program provides a structured nine-month training experience to help PAs transition into specialized cardiology care. Unlike traditional PA roles that include only a short orientation, this fellowship offers a gradual learning approach through three phases. Fellows start by building a strong foundation in general cardiology before moving into subspecialty rotations where they begin managing their own patient templates and increasing their workload. In the final phase, they take on a more autonomous role, serving as the primary contact for patient consults and gaining experience in intensive care and heart failure units. The program combines case-based learning, simulation training, hands-on experience and didactic instruction to develop both clinical expertise and patient care skills. Through this structured mentorship approach, Centra ensures PAs gain the confidence and competence needed to excel in cardiology.
Doctoral Psychology Internship
The Centra Doctoral Psychology Internship (CDPI) plays a key role in addressing the growing need for mental health professionals by training the next generation of clinical psychologists. This one-year, full-time program provides doctoral students with hands-on experience in both inpatient and outpatient settings, preparing them to meet the increasing demand for mental health services. With specialized tracks in Adult and Child/Adolescent care, interns gain comprehensive training while working directly with patients facing a variety of mental health and medical challenges. Each intern completes 2,000 hours of training, including at least 500 hours of direct clinical service, ensuring they are well-equipped to transition into professional practice.
Collaborating with Local Academic Institutions
Located in a region with multiple academic institutions, Centra serves as a clinical rotation site for local universities. Students from Liberty University’s School of Nursing and College of Osteopathic Medicine, the University of Lynchburg’s School of Nursing and Physician Assistant Program and Longwood University’s School of Nursing all gain hands-on experience at Centra facilities. These rotations provide future nurses, physician assistants and doctors with real-world training in hospital and outpatient settings that are also close to their locations of study, helping to bridge the gap between education and practice.
While we cannot know every factor that may influence the future of healthcare, we recognize that skilled healthcare practitioners will always play a key role in medicine. With a commitment to our communities that transcends the present, Centra will continue to work to anticipate and address future needs through the development of a varied, competent workforce.
