Nursing degree program expands, offers more flexibility

By Barbara Hollenbaugh
source: The Tribune Review

Registered nurses who seek bachelor's degrees may find it difficult for class and work schedules to jive.

To ease the burden, Penn State Fayette, the Eberly Campus, is taking classes to the nurses through satellite programs and adjustment of class schedules.

"We were receiving calls from these nurses," said Melissa Miner, coordinator of the nursing program. "They work during the day, so traditional classes don't always work for them. I worked with the continuing education department here to set up classes that worked with these nurses' schedules."

Joe Segilia, director of Outreach and Continuing Education, said that his goal was to make it "as accessible to as many students as possible."

Both Miner and Segilia said that the curriculum is student-centered. Segilia said that students could take one course every seven weeks.

"At the end of a 15-week semester, students will have taken two courses. That's six credits, which will make them eligible for financial aid."

Miner said that students would have the opportunity to earn as many as 33 credits, based on their portfolios.

Segilia said students can work in groups.

"Being in groups will promote team work," he said. "Also, students will have a strong support system amongst other students."

Miner said demand for nurses with bachelor's degrees is strong.

"The demand for nurses who hold a bachelor's degree is high. Nurses who hold this degree will be able to go into specialty areas or into management and administration," she said. "This program will focus on research, on community nursing and also on integrating computers into nursing care."

The program was launched in 2001 and held at several locations, including Somerset Hospital and Uniontown Hospital. Westmoreland County Community College is the next location at which it will be held.

"Many of the students who were interested in the program lived closer to WCCC than to Penn State Fayette," Segilia said. "These nurses have their associate degrees from WCCC and feel comfortable there. This program will allow them to continue their education there."

Ruth Irwin, director of the nursing program at WCCC, said this program allows students to continue their nursing education at Penn State.

"It opens doors for them into management and administration. Some of the nurses may even earn their master's degree in nursing."