When Central Oregon Community College launched its first nursing cohort at the Madras campus in fall 2025, it marked a turning point for Jefferson County residents who previously had to commute to Bend for healthcare training. One year later, the programs are running strong — and competition for seats is fierce.
A New Building, New Programs
The COCC Madras campus expansion added four distinct health career programs: Nursing (Associate of Applied Science), Nursing Assistant, Medical Assistant, and Early Childhood Education. The new facility — constructed specifically to support clinical and classroom training — opened in early 2026 after the first cohorts launched in temporary space the previous fall.
Campus Director James Rodriguez, who joined COCC Madras in early 2025, has been the driving force behind building out the program infrastructure. At community events like Coffee Cuppers networking breakfasts, Rodriguez has shared that enrollment is trending upward, bolstered by the new offerings and facilities.
Competitive Admissions
The nursing program is not easy to get into. COCC's program data shows that in 2024, 135 students applied for 50 nursing seats system-wide, and in 2025, 140 students applied for 52 Bend cohort seats and just 8 Madras cohort seats. For fall 2026, the Madras cohort again offers 8 nursing seats — meaning local applicants face stiff competition.
The limited seat count reflects both clinical supervision ratios and facility capacity, though the new Madras building provides room to grow as the program matures.
Why It Matters for Jefferson County
Jefferson County has historically struggled with healthcare workforce shortages. The COCC program creates a local pipeline — residents who train in Madras are more likely to stay in Madras after graduation, feeding into employers like St. Charles Madras, Mosaic Medical, and Jefferson County Public Health.
"We want people to be able to train where they live and work where they live," Rodriguez said at a Jefferson County networking event last year. "That's the whole point of bringing these programs here."
Looking Ahead
With the first cohort of Madras nursing students now well into their second year of training, the program is approaching its first local graduates — a milestone that will be closely watched by local healthcare employers. Early Childhood Education graduates are also expected to help address childcare workforce gaps in the county.
For information on COCC Madras health programs and application timelines, visit cocc.edu/departments/allied-health/madras-campus-heath-careers or call the Madras campus directly.