Penn State Shenango and the Sharon Regional Health System School of Nursing have announced the formation of a partnership for nursing education that will offer area residents the unique opportunity to earn both a diploma in nursing from Sharon Regional and 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 structured around admission to Penn State Shenango in the pre-nursing major focused on the successful completion of eight core courses. Qualified students meeting all criteria move directly into phase two at Sharon Regional’s School of Nursing where they complete five semesters of nursing courses. Students also complete five additional Penn State courses to earn a diploma in nursing from Sharon Regional, granting them eligibility for taking the state nursing licensure examination.
Students then enter phase three where they complete the final courses along with electives at Penn State Shenango as part of the RN-to-BS program. Upon successful completion they are then awarded a bachelor of science in nursing from Penn State.
Nora Bennett, director of Sharon Regional’s School of Nursing, praised the development of the partnership as an innovative educational opportunity for those seeking a career in nursing.
"We’re extremely excited to offer area students an exciting and practical educational path that combines the best of two educational models," Bennett said. "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."
Representatives from both Sharon Regional’s School of Nursing and Penn State Shenango have met for several months to finalize details of the partnership. For more information call Penn State Shenango’s Admission Office at 724-983-2803 or Sharon Regional’s School of Nursing at 724-983-3865 or visit www.sharonregional.com/schoolnursing.htm.