New Campus Aims to Heal Virginia's Healthcare Worker Shortage

NORTH CHESTERFIELD, Va. – April 29, 2026 – Bryant & Stratton College officially unveiled its new Richmond - Chesterfield Campus this week, a 53,000-square-foot facility designed as a direct response to Central Virginia's escalating healthcare workforce crisis. The opening, marked by a ceremonial ribbon-cutting, signals a major new effort to produce a steady pipeline of skilled nurses and medical assistants for a region grappling with persistent staffing shortages.

Located at 101 Gateway Centre Parkway, the new campus represents a significant upgrade and relocation from the college’s former Hull Street site, where it operated for over three decades. This modern facility is not just a change of address but a strategic expansion aimed at bolstering the local healthcare infrastructure by training hundreds of new professionals annually in state-of-the-art environments.

“For over three decades, Bryant & Stratton College has been a proud partner in our region’s higher education landscape and a dedicated champion of students,” said Beth Murphy, Market Director at Bryant & Stratton College, during the opening event. “We’re proud to continue our investment in Chesterfield with the opening of the new Richmond - Chesterfield Campus.”

Addressing a Critical Regional Need

The new campus opens its doors at a critical juncture for Central Virginia's healthcare system. According to the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association (VHHA), providers across the Commonwealth continue to face a severe labor crisis, which can lead to longer patient wait times and reduced care capacity. This shortage is particularly acute in frontline roles like nursing and medical assisting.

Data from the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) underscores the urgency. The VEC projects that by 2026, Virginia will need to fill over 12,000 positions for nurses and medical assistants alone. These statistics reflect a nationwide trend driven by an aging population, increased demand for medical services, and high rates of burnout and retirement among existing healthcare workers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics further projects a need for more than 200,000 new registered nurses each year through the next decade to meet demand across the country.

Bryant & Stratton's expansion is calibrated to meet this demand head-on. By increasing its capacity to train healthcare students, the non-profit college aims to create a reliable and robust talent pipeline that feeds directly into the local health systems that are in desperate need of qualified staff.

From Classroom to Clinic: A New Model for Training

A core component of the college's strategy is its investment in immersive, hands-on training facilities designed to bridge the gap between academic learning and the realities of a clinical setting. The new Chesterfield campus features five advanced nursing simulation rooms and a dedicated medical assisting lab, all equipped to mirror the fast-paced, high-stakes environments students will encounter in their careers.

These simulation labs allow students to practice critical skills, from routine patient care to complex emergency responses, on high-fidelity mannequins in a safe, controlled setting. This approach helps build both competence and confidence before students even begin their clinical rotations in actual hospitals and clinics.

The campus’s strategic location is another key pillar of its workforce development model. Its proximity to major regional employers, including HCA Healthcare and Bon Secours Hospital, is intended to create seamless pathways from the classroom to a career. These healthcare giants are not passive recipients of graduates; they are active participants in building the region's talent pool. HCA Virginia, for instance, has invested heavily in educational partnerships, including the opening of a Galen College of Nursing campus in Richmond and a $3 million investment in Brightpoint Community College's radiology program.

Similarly, Bon Secours operates its own Memorial College of Nursing and maintains an Office of Academic Affairs to strategically place students in practicum sites. Bryant & Stratton's new campus fits squarely into this collaborative ecosystem, positioning its graduates to be prime candidates for positions within these major health systems.

A Long-Term Investment in Chesterfield's Future

The opening of the Gateway Centre Parkway campus marks a new chapter in Bryant & Stratton College's more than 30-year history in Chesterfield County. The move from the former Hull Street location represents a significant, long-term commitment to the county and its residents, particularly adult learners.

The new site was designed with the needs of working and commuter students in mind. It offers improved access via the GRTC bus line and proximity to major thoroughfares, consolidating student services under one roof to create a more streamlined and supportive experience. This focus aligns with the college’s mission to provide flexible, career-focused education that promotes economic mobility.

While the immediate focus is on healthcare, the campus will continue to offer degrees in business, technology, and human services. This multi-disciplinary approach recognizes that a strong regional economy requires a diverse and well-trained workforce across various sectors. The investment is poised to generate positive ripple effects for the local economy, not only by filling critical jobs but also by contributing to the county's tax base and supporting local businesses.

Navigating a Collaborative Educational Landscape

Bryant & Stratton College enters a dynamic and active educational landscape in Central Virginia. It joins other established institutions like J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, ECPI University, and Virginia Commonwealth University, all of which contribute to the region's healthcare workforce development. J. Sargeant Reynolds offers a wide array of health programs, while ECPI is known for its accelerated, hands-on approach.

However, the new Chesterfield campus carves out a distinct niche. Its status as a brand-new, purpose-built facility with a heavy emphasis on simulation technology is a key differentiator. While other schools have strong programs, this 53,000-square-foot investment provides the latest in educational technology and environment. Furthermore, its deep-rooted, decades-long presence in Chesterfield, combined with a renewed focus on serving the specific needs of the county's adult student population, solidifies its unique position in the community.

The campus is now fully operational and is set to welcome its first cohort of students for the upcoming academic term beginning May 6. As these students begin their journey, local healthcare leaders and community members will be watching closely, hopeful that this significant investment will help heal the region's workforce shortages and ensure robust healthcare access for years to come.