School of Nursing & Health Sciences News Articles

Jordyn G. Nichols, a sophomore pursuing a bachelor’s degree in nursing, was featured in a Jan. 6 Williamsport Sun-Gazette story for the care she provided to a patient’s pup. When Chad Losell learned the arrangements he’d made for his dachshund to be cared for while he had heart surgery had fallen through, he considered postponing the life-saving procedure. “It obviously was causing tremendous stress on him, and I just wanted to take care of that completely,” Nichols told the Sun-Gazette’s Pat Crossley.

On their last clinical day at Janet Weis Children's Hospital in Danville, students in Penn College's LPN to RN program shared the spirit of giving with pediatric patients and their families, gifting them with new toys, books and activities for the holiday season.

Soon-to-graduate Bachelor of Science in nursing students recently presented research that integrated their final three courses: Adult Health Nursing III, Leadership & Management in Nursing, and Research & Theory in Clinical Practice.

A $50,000 gift from the Dr. and Mrs. Arthur William Phillips Charitable Trust has helped Pennsylvania College of Technology purchase laboratory equipment for students in the School of Nursing & Health Sciences. A portion of the funding went toward a pediatric “phantom” for radiography students and the remainder aided in the purchase of a Super TORY S220 advanced newborn patient simulator for nursing students.

Kelly T. Bidlespacher, director of nursing, bachelor and graduate degrees, at Pennsylvania College of Technology, completed a Doctor of Nursing Practice in educational leadership from Grand Canyon University in November. Bidlespacher’s studies culminated in an evidence-based direct practice improvement project that she titled “The Effect of Teach-Back on Readmission Rates in Rehabilitation Patients.”

Pennsylvania College of Technology’s dental hygiene program provided free oral care to 22 children and teens during a Sealant Saturday event on Nov. 4. “The future of our community’s oral health looks brighter, thanks to the hard work and dedication of our students and volunteers offering free dental services to children in need,” said Tiana L. Minnick, instructor of dental hygiene, who spearheaded the event. “It was a rewarding experience for everyone involved.”

Sen. Tracy Pennycuick, chair of the state Senate Communications & Technology Committee, was among those visiting on Wednesday, impressed by a variety of instructional areas alongside Penn College administrators, state Sen. Gene Yaw and legislative colleagues.

At Pennsylvania College of Technology, you'll hone the hands-on skills to thrive in the rewarding field of physical therapy. Physical therapist assistants help rehabilitate patients and inspire them to move more freely and independently. In this two-and-a-half-minute video, you'll see Penn College graduates in action, explore on-campus lab spaces, and learn more about this engaging and impactful hands-on program.

In this episode of Penn College's Tomorrow Makers podcast, you'll meet Elizabeth A. Legarski, nursing instructor, and Kayla Kerstetter, a nursing student from Trevorton. Each holds two degrees from the college – Legarski in physical fitness specialist and nursing, Kerstetter in exercise science and applied health studies – and both found their way to nursing after exploring other possible career paths.

To celebrate National Physical Therapy Month, students in Penn College’s physical therapist assistant program are spreading the word about why individuals should choose physical therapy to decrease pain, increase mobility, maximize health and improve their quality of life. Every October, the American Physical Therapy Association celebrates National Physical Therapy Month to raise awareness with consumers about the many benefits of physical therapy.