The Jameson Health System School of Nursing and Penn State Shenango have announced the formation of a partnership for nursing education that will offer area residents the unique opportunity to earn a diploma in nursing from Jameson and then a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Penn State Shenango in a seamless and timely manner.
Students will study nursing in three phases, with the first phase focused on the successful completion of nursing pre-requisite courses at a college or university of their choice. It is strongly recommended that prospective students seek guidance from Jameson when choosing these classes.
Phase two is completed at Jameson Memorial Hospital School of Nursing. Qualified students meeting all criteria apply for admission to the Jameson Memorial Hospital School of Nursing where they complete the requirements for the diploma in nursing and prepare for nursing licensure. While enrolled at Jameson, students also complete four Penn State courses as part of the Jameson curriculum, giving these students a jump start on a bachelor of science degree.
Students then enter Phase 3 by applying for admission to Penn State Shenango’s RN to BS program. At Shenango, students complete the final BS course requirements, and upon successful completion they are awarded a bachelor of science in nursing from Penn State. Jayne Sheehan, director of Jameson Memorial Hospital School of Nursing and Kathleen Mastrian praised the partnership as an innovative educational opportunity for those seeking a career in nursing.
“The flexibility of this program allows students who wish to work as registered nurses the opportunity to do so at completion of the diploma program, while completing the remaining coursework for their bachelor’s degree in a timely manner. We believe it’s a great model for today’s students,” Mastrian concluded.
“The Institute of Medicine published a report in 2010 that strongly recommended hospitals have at least 80 percent of registered nurses with a bachelor of science (B.S.) by 2020. This partnership with Penn State is aligning our students with the optimum education to easily obtain their B.S.,” stated Sheehan.
The Jameson Memorial Hospital School of Nursing is a modern educational facility which provides the setting for a high quality nursing program that prepares students for the profession of nursing. The program offers highly skilled professional and caring faculty, clinical experience early in the program, and a wide variety of clinical experiences in the Hospital setting and in the community. For more information call Jameson Memorial Hospital School of Nursing, at 724-656-4052 or visit www.upmcjameson.com/careers-education/education-training/school-of-nursing/
