UPPER BURRELL, Pa. -- Katie Everson, a registered nurse at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, wanted to expand her knowledge of the health care industry. After earning a diploma at Citizens Hospital School of Nursing, she decided to pursue her bachelor’s degree in nursing at Penn State New Kensington.
“It had always been a dream and goal of mine to go to Penn State,” said Everson, who works in the Stroke and Telemetry unit at Allegheny General. “There really was no other choice of universities when it came to furthering my education in nursing.”
Everson’s appetite for a four-year degree was whetted when she took two classes at the campus while matriculating at Citizens. The quality of the faculty and courses at New Kensington influenced her decision to continue with her learning.
“Part of Citizens curriculum is that you take two nursing classes at Penn State New Kensington during your last semester,” said Everson, who lives in Cabot. “Because of this, I was able to experience first-hand what the BSN (bachelor of science in nursing) program was like.”
Program accreditation (Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Commission on College Nursing Education and Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing) as well as the flexibility of the class schedule, drew Aleria Palmiere to the campus. The caliber of the campus faculty confirmed Palmiere’s decision. A hospice nurse at Concordia Inpatient Hospice, Palmiere graduated from Citizens in 2014.
“Penn State New Kensington provides a very good education,” said Palmiere, a native of Sarver. “Teachers are very concerned for students' well-being, and classes are hybrid and flexible for full-time workers.”
Palmiere is scheduled to earn her bachelor’s degree next year and Everson in 2017. Both plan to pursue master’s degrees in nursing.
“Katie and Allie are both exceptional nursing students who bring intellectual curiosity grained from the Citizens School of Nursing program and their current places of practice,” said Janet Knott, instructor in nursing and coordinator of the nursing program at the campus. “This is a great asset towards the holistic professional development that transpires during the baccalaureate program."
Campus nursing program
The bachelor of science in nursing degree offers registered nurses the opportunity to earn a baccalaureate degree. The mode of delivery is adjusted to permit adults with family and occupational time constraints to pursue the degree in their home area. Nurses in the program acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to provide comprehensive nursing care to individuals, families, groups and communities. In addition to classes, the program affords nurses the opportunities to work collaboratively with faculty in designing experiences in the clinical setting.
Through an articulation agreement between Citizens and the campus, students at Citizens take six credits of upper-level nursing courses at New Kensington. If the new registered nurse enrolls in the New Kensington nursing program, then the credits are applied to the student’s program requirements.
“The polished collaboration between Citizens School of Nursing and Penn State New Kensington is exceptional,” said Knott, who teaches upper- and lower-level courses. “Students benefit from graduating from a diploma program with two RN-BS nursing courses towards their baccalaureate, which sets them up for success in the current era of nursing.”
The agreement was initiated in 2003 by Theresa Balog, assistant professor of nursing and nursing program coordinator. Balog retired the following year after 10 years of service to the University.
“Citizens is a well-established diploma program with a long history of preparing nurses to enter the health care setting,” said Deborah Strickland, instructor in nursing at the campus. “The baccalaureate degree is the obvious next step to broaden their education in practice, research and community based nursing care."
This year, 80 Citizens students are taking the two courses at the campus. Knott and Strickland teach the course.
“The Citizens students enrolled at the campus this spring are great,” Knott said. “They are passionate about providing exceptional patient care and eager to become registered nurses.”
For more about the campus nursing program, visit www.nk.psu.edu/nursing.
Campus faculty
Knott joined the New Kensington faculty in fall 2014. She has a wealth of teaching experience after 15 years as a nursing instructor at Penn State Fayette. The Derry resident received a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Pittsburgh and a master’s in nursing education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP). She earned a doctorate in nursing practice from Carlow University.
Prior to teaching, she was on the nursing staff of Forbes Regional, Children’s and Latrobe hospitals. Knott takes over for Dolores O’Hara, who retired last year after 15 years as instructor and program coordinator. Knott’s office is Room 107 of the Administration Building. Her phone number is 724-334-6725 and email address is jmk24@psu.edu.
Strickland started at the campus in 2011 after serving as the director of clinical services for a Program of All Inclusive Care for the Elderly. She has more than 20 years of experience in leadership and management in acute care, long-term care and community nursing. She received her master’s in nursing from IUP and is working on a doctorate from West Virginia University. Strickland has taught at both the undergraduate and graduate level for Waynesburg University, IUP and the Community College of Allegheny County. She can be reached at 724-334-6760 or dms63@psu.edu.
Citizens School of Nursing
Citizens School of Nursing offers a two-year hospital-based program that prepares students for the national licensure exam and entry-level practice in a variety of health care settings. Located at the Citizens Ambulatory Care Center in New Kensington, Citizens is under the supervision of Lynn Rugh, director of the school of nursing.
The school opened as Citizens General Hospital School of Nursing in 1913. Classes began with two students under the direction of two “nurse executives” who were responsible for the hospital and the school. The first formal commencement for six students was held in 1917. Since then, 2,339 students have graduated.
The curriculum has evolved to keep pace with innovations in nursing and health care. The school earned its first accreditation from the National League for Nursing Accreditation Council in 1960 and continues to be fully accredited.
Citizens General Hospital closed in 2000, and the ownership of the nursing school was transferred to Allegheny Valley Hospital in Natrona Heights. Allegheny Valley, which is part of Allegheny Health Network, provides hands-on clinical experiences in medical-surgical, critical care, oncology, mental health and emergency nursing.
For more about the Citizens School of Nursing, visit https://www.ahn.org/education/citizens-school-nursing.