Partnership aids nurses in earning bachelor’s degrees

Staff report

Sharon, PA.

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 opportunity to earn a diploma in nursing from Jameson and then a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Penn State Shenango seamlessly.

Students will study nursing in three phases, with the first phase focused on the successful completion of nursing prerequisite courses at a college or university of their choice.

Prospective students are urged to seek guidance from Jameson when choosing 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 them a jump start on a bachelor of science in nursing.

Students then enter the third phase by applying for admission to Penn State Shenango’s RN to BS program. Here, they complete the final BS course requirements, and upon successful completion they are awarded a bachelor of science in nursing from Penn State University.

Jayne Sheehan, director of Jameson Memorial Hospital School of Nursing, and Kathleen Mastrian, a registered nurse, 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.

For information, call Jameson Memorial Hospital School of Nursing at 724-656-4052 or visit www.jamesonhealth.org/schoolofnursing.