News about Nursing

Beginning in December, Pennsylvania College of Technology will no longer require the Test of Essential Academic Skills as a criterion for admission into its pre-licensure nursing education majors.

Those majors are the LPN-to-RN associate degree, nursing associate degree and nursing bachelor’s degree.

Beginning with the college’s December selection period, current pre-nursing students and transfer students will be selected based on two criteria: their math/science grade calculation and cumulative graduation GPA. (Previously, current and transfer students who did not take the TEAS exam were not eligible for selective admission.)

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Students pursuing associate degrees in health care majors have the opportunity to concurrently enroll in bachelor’s degree coursework in one of three degree-completion majors at Pennsylvania College of Technology.

Penn College’s new concurrent enrollment program allows students in health care-related majors at Penn College or other accredited institutions to gain a head start toward a bachelor’s completion degree by taking up to two online courses (six credits) per semester during their last year of study toward an associate degree.

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Bachelor’s degree nursing students are ready to hit the road.

The group, enrolled in the course Global Healthcare Explorations, plans to depart campus late Friday evening for a journey to the village of Nueva Santa Rosa, Guatemala. Once there, they will join the Glen Falls (New York) Medical Mission team to set up and run a weeklong medical clinic in the medically underserved region. Other volunteers represent a host of health care fields.

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To meet prospective students’ needs and industry demand, Pennsylvania College of Technology has added a part-time, evening/weekend option to its nursing degree offerings.

The part-time nursing major culminates in an associate degree. Graduates are eligible to sit for the national licensing exam to become a registered nurse. Classes will begin in August 2023.

“We listened to the needs of our prospective students, and we responded with action,” said Tanae A. Traister, assistant dean of nursing and health sciences. “We are here to support those who aspire to become nurses, and this new program option will help working students meet their goals.”

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Tanae A. Traister has begun duties as assistant dean of nursing and health sciences at Pennsylvania College of Technology.

She replaces Valerie A. Myers, who now serves as dean of nursing and health sciences.

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Thirty-eight new members – and two transfers – were inducted into the Omega Theta Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing during a ceremony on Oct. 7.

The Pennsylvania College of Technology chapter comprises students, faculty and other local nurses.

To be eligible for membership as an undergraduate, students must complete half of their bachelor’s degree nursing curriculum, achieve academic excellence in the form of a 3.0 or higher GPA, rank in the top 35 percent of their graduating class and meet the expectation of academic integrity.

To be eligible for membership as a nurse leader, a candidate must be legally recognized to practice nursing in their country, have a minimum of a baccalaureate degree (or the equivalent) and demonstrate achievement in nursing.

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A Pennsylvania College of Technology nursing student, who brings to campus his longtime aptitude for music, performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” at Sunday’s Little League Baseball World Series championship game. “I’ve been singing my entire life in theater, choirs, special events, etc.,” said Chris J. Dailey, of Montgomery. “I’ve sung the national anthem many times, but last Sunday was special, representing the country.” Dailey holds bachelor’s degrees in music education from West Chester University and in business management from Bloomsburg University, and came to Penn College looking for a change in career: He obtained EMT certification from Workforce Development and enrolled in the associate-degree nursing program to further his education. Amid an adult learner’s demanding courseload, Dailey noted, “I still make time to do theater.” He has been a frequent performer at Williamsport’s Community Theatre League – he played the title role in “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” in 2020 and headlined a sold-out concert at CTL earlier this month – and will appear in “Titanic: The Musical” at Milton’s Christ Wesleyan Church from Nov. 10-13.
(Photos courtesy of Little League Baseball and Softball)

Pennsylvania College of Technology presented a DAISY Award to nursing student Julia M. Abraham, of Milton, on Aug. 5.

Abraham, who graduated on Aug. 6 with an associate degree in health arts: practical nursing emphasis, received The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Students.

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Among the newer additions to the Pennsylvania College of Technology community as the Fall 2022 semester begins are 19 faculty members, as provided by the Office of People & Culture. Fifteen will begin their instructional duties on Aug. 11; the remainder were added to the roster as noted.

“This cohort of new faculty possesses a wide range of experiences and skills,” said Joanna K. Flynn, dean of curriculum and instruction. “We are excited to see the impact they will have on our students and the college.”

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The Pennsylvania College of Technology Athletics Department has announced its 2022 Hall of Fame Class: Jordan A. (Courter) Rutledge, soccer; Alicia N. Ross, basketball; and Mark C. Shaffer, baseball.

The three inductees will be enshrined at 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, during the college’s Wildcat Weekend.

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A second week of Penn College’s My Tomorrow day camp (July 12-15) led middle-school students down more time-tested roads to career success and personal fulfillment. The program – again sponsored by the Soars Family – followed the template of the first: offering sixth through eighth graders an enviable palette of hands-on options, from emergency preparedness and health sciences to concrete, aviation and electrical.

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Kelly T. Bidlespacher has been named director of nursing, bachelor’s and graduate degrees, at Pennsylvania College of Technology.

Bidlespacher, a registered nurse, began her Penn College experience as an adjunct faculty member in 2019 and served as the clinical director of nursing at the college from 2020-22.

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Valerie A. Myers has been appointed dean of nursing and health sciences at Pennsylvania College of Technology.

Myers, who has served as assistant dean of nursing at Penn College since 2018, has worked as a nurse educator and administrator in higher education for 14 years. She begins her new duties on July 1, succeeding Sandra L. Richmond, who is returning to a teaching role with Penn College’s nursing faculty.

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Pennsylvania College of Technology awarded its first DAISY Awards in May to nursing student Britney S. Kattau, of Ephrata, and faculty member Karen L. Martin, associate professor of psychiatric nursing.

Award winners can be nominated by peers, colleagues, patients, families or alumni. Winners are selected by a committee in Penn College’s nursing program.

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A group of Pennsylvania College of Technology students took second-place honors for their research poster during the first Geisinger Nursing Student Scholarship Conference. The conference was initiated by faculty to help nursing students share their research.

Students Jenay Brown, of Williamsport; Connor J. Burke, of St. Clair; Emily L. Durbin, of Danville; Sydney E. Heiser, of Shamokin Dam; and Callie A. Sobolewski, of Budd Lake, N.J., were honored for their “Become a Master of Central Line Care” poster.

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