NEPA Health Care Foundation Nursing Scholarships In response to the acute shortage of nurses across the region and its effect on the health and wellness of Northeastern Pennsylvania, the Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation announces it has awarded $418,000 in its second year towards nursing scholarships for local students as part of its Careers in Care initiative. The Careers in Care Nursing Scholarship Program has awarded 49 scholarships to students in Lackawanna, Luzerne, and Wyoming Counties who plan to pursue or who are pursuing nursing and who will practice in Northeastern Pennsylvania. These scholarship opportunities come during a time when there have been great strains on the healthcare workforce in Northeastern Pennsylvania. After significant interest in 2021, the Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation increased the total amount available for scholarships in 2022 from the previous year. In 2021, a total of $190,312 was awarded to 21 students. The Careers in Care Nursing Scholarship Program accepted applications earlier this year and, through a rigorous and competitive application process, identified a variety of qualified nursing students. Recipients include Brooke Bird, Cleora Brown, Alexis Bruno, Sabrina Brynok, Maria Buchleitner, Amy Casagrande, Megan Chestnut, Michael Dargatis, Monica Darjee, Alyssa Dikeman Melisky, Jacqueline Earley, Thamar Etienne, Linda Gagner, Damian George, Chasity Girton, Alison Heck, Jennifer Jaffe, Amy Kwiatkowski, Ashley Lomascolo, Milagros Lopez, Nicole Lubash, Kristyn Lutecki, Leah Majdic, Brittany Marcinkevich, Danielle McCormick, Mary McFadden, Elizabeth McGuire, Tiffany Megotz, Karli Muto, Kathryn Nielsen, Nicole O’Boyle, Devon Ortolani, Gabriella Osegueda, Kimberly Owen, Kathleen Rafalko, Carissa Rand, Samantha Rosselli, Tami Rowlands, Anne Royce, Lorenzo Singotti, Kelly Smith, Kelsey Stanco, Charon Taylor, Celibeth Thomas, Celena Thomas, Tiffany Tomasello, and Ariana Velez. Scholarship recipients are attending a variety of schools including Luzerne County Community College, Bloomsburg University, Lackawanna College, Penn State Scranton, Wilkes Barre Area Career & Technical Center, Marywood University, Clarion University, Misericordia University, Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County, Graceland University, and Wilkes University. “Over the past two years, we have seen just how timely the Careers in Care initiative really is,” said James Clemente, NEPA Health Care Foundation Board Chair. “The Foundation’s Board understands the strains that the regional healthcare workforce is facing and strives to make an impact to address these critical issues through these important scholarships.” “The Board of the Northeastern PA Health Care Foundation was very innovative in their planning of these scholarships which are made available to nursing students from CNAs through nurse educators at the graduate level,” said Laura Ducceschi, President and CEO of the Scranton Area Community Foundation. “There continues to be a great need and interest in the Careers in Care program, demonstrated by the increased number of scholarships awarded in the program’s second year.” The Scranton Area Community Foundation administers the NEPA Health Care Foundation. There will be a third year of scholarships offered in February 2023 for the 2023/2024 school year. To qualify for a Careers in Care Nursing Scholarship, individuals were required to show they have had a permanent address in Lackawanna, Luzerne, or Wyoming County for the last three years. Scholarships were available to those interested in obtaining a CNA and entering the healthcare workforce. Scholarships are also for anyone employed in the healthcare field in either Lackawanna, Luzerne, or Wyoming County and looking to advance as an LPN or RN/BSN. Additionally, students were invited to apply if they were in their third or fourth year of a four-year nursing degree and looking for financial assistance. Scholarship recipients were also asked to demonstrate a commitment to stay in the Northeastern Pennsylvania region. The Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation also invited ‘nontraditional’ students or those looking to go back to school to obtain a nursing degree to apply for a Careers in Care Nursing Scholarship. Additionally, through Careers in Care, the NEPA Health Care Foundation has provided grant support totaling $800,000 to a variety of organizations including Lackawanna College, United Neighborhood Centers of NEPA, Children’s Service Center, The Greater Hazleton Partners in Education, Northern Tier Industry and Education Consortium, and Saint Joseph’s Center. The Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation’s Careers in Care initiative is a $1.7 million commitment over a three-year period (2020-2023). In addition to the Careers in Care initiative, the NEPA Health Care Foundation is also in the eighth year of a $3.2 million commitment to the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine (GCSOM) for scholarship support for incoming first-year medical students from Lackawanna, Luzerne and Wyoming counties. The NEPA Health Care Foundation Scholars program covers full tuition for these scholars, who indicate a commitment to practice medicine in Northeastern PA.
The Scranton Area Community Foundation Announces Careers in Care Nursing Scholarship Applications Open The Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation, administered by the Scranton Area Community Foundation has announced the 2022 Careers in Care Nursing Scholarship application deadline for students in Lackawanna, Luzerne, and Wyoming Counties who plan to pursue or who are pursuing nursing, and who will practice in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Interested nursing students or current nurses looking to advance their careers may apply online from February 1, 2022 through April 15th 2022 at CareersinCareNEPA.org. To qualify for a Careers in Care Nursing Scholarship, individuals must show they have had a permanent address in Lackawanna, Luzerne, or Wyoming County for the last three years. Applicants may be new or continuing students interested in pursuing, or currently pursuing, nursing; traditional or non-traditional students pursuing qualification at any level of the nursing profession, including CNA, LPN, RN to BSN, BS (3rd and 4th year only), Master’s Degree/Nurse Educator; or non-traditional students looking to return to work or seeking a change in employment. “Nursing provides the greatest honor in life – to be able to care for patients in their most vulnerable state and assist them when they need it the most. This scholarship is enabling me to enhance my skills from being a Licensed Practical Nurse to earning my Bachelors in Science degree in Nursing,” remarked Nicole Lubash, 2021 scholarship winner, mother of two young boys, and a Junior at Marywood University. The Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation’s Careers in Care initiative is a$1.7 million commitment over a three-year period (2020-2023) focused on developing the regional pipeline of the healthcare workforce. Established through the Scranton Area Community Foundation, the nursing scholarship program aims to support the growth and development of the nurses at all levels in NEPA. “We’re delighted that 19 previous scholarship winners are already pursuing nursing careers with awards from the Careers in Care nursing scholarship program. We are prepared to assist many additional nursing school applicants with scholarships during this enrollment period,” stated Laura Ducceschi, President and CEO of the Scranton Area Community Foundation.
Revolutionary Education Center Offers Nurse Aide Class Certification Revolutionary Education Center, located at 829 Scranton Carbondale Highway in Eynon, PA, is offering a monthly class for nurse aide certification. The class is 120 hours and is eligible for state certification testing upon completion. The class is Pennsylvania Department of Education and Middle States approved, and may be eligible for funding through CareerLink. For more information on the certification course, contact Joan Bonczek at 570-483-3600 x600.
Geisinger Launches Nursing Scholars Program for Employees Nurses make up the largest segment of the healthcare workforce and play critical roles in caring for patients. Now, Geisinger employees interested in a nursing career will have an easier path. By launching a new career development program, Geisinger will provide financial, educational and wellness support to its employees pursuing a career in nursing. The Geisinger’s Nursing Scholars Program eases the financial burden of nursing school and is open to any employee who’s worked with Geisinger for a year or more and isn’t already a registered nurse (RN) or provider. The program awards $40,000 in financial support with a 5-year work commitment as an inpatient nurse. The goal is to support 175 scholars per year by offering rolling admissions to the program. While supporting employee career and professional goals, the program will also mitigate a shortage of nurses across the organization and beyond. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the nation needs 1.1 million new RNs by 2022 to avoid a nursing shortage. “There is a recruitment gap of approximately 300 registered nurses per year across the Geisinger system,” said Janet Tomcavage, chief nursing executive at Geisinger. “According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Employment Projections, registered nursing is listed among the top occupations in terms of job growth through 2029. The RN workforce is expected to grow from 3 million in 2019 to 3.3 million in 2029, an increase of 7%. Community members across our footprint can join the Geisinger workforce and take advantage of this wonderful career advancement opportunity.” The program serves as an entry point into the healthcare profession for high school students and for anyone considering a career in nursing. Community members who are not Geisinger employees can apply for available positions within Geisinger and qualify for the program after only one year of employment. “We are aware that many of our employees are keen to pursue a nursing career but need additional support from us in achieving their dreams. This comprehensive nursing scholars’ program is designed to provide financial, educational and well-being support for Geisinger employees who would like to become registered nurses,” added Tomcavage. Geisinger will support the employee scholars in preparation to go back to school to set them up for success. Guidance in choosing a school and type of degree is available via an internal website and personal counseling. Those who wish to attend prep classes may do so through internally offered classes designed by Geisinger experts. Basic math, navigating online classes and work-life balance are some of the courses offered. While employees are in school, support via study groups, mentoring from Geisinger nurses and professional development opportunities will be available at Geisinger. “Studying while working is a huge undertaking and we understand that employees will need more than just financial support. We want to be able to support our employees’ well-being and provide them with help that they might need when preparing to go back to school. Geisinger’s Nursing Scholars Program is designed to motivate and support employees in achieving their best at work and at school,” said Rebecca Stoudt, associate dean of nursing student education at Geisinger. Geisinger partners with various nursing schools across its footprint, and has created easy access to healthcare for many Pennsylvania communities. The Geisinger Career Center, a recruitment and career services hub, offers community members and Geisinger employees the chance to make a difference through available job opportunities in the health system. Beyond the physical career center, located at 529 Mill St. in Danville, anyone interested can make virtual or phone consultations to learn about Geisinger careers. Candidates can speak with a Geisinger representative about open positions, and current Geisinger employees can learn more about professional development resources and events. Open positions at Geisinger are also listed at jobs.geisinger.org. To find out more about the career center or to make an appointment, call 877-564-6447 or email GeisingerCareers@geisinger.edu.
Allied Services Establishes Full Scholarships for Lackawanna College Nursing Students Driven by a commitment to invest in life-long careers in healthcare in Northeastern Pa., Allied Services has created the Allied Services Nursing Scholarship to provide full tuition for eligible students in Lackawanna College’s nursing associate degree program. Students awarded these scholarships will have the opportunity to work at Allied Services while continuing their education and be guaranteed a full-time position upon graduation and licensure as a Registered Nurse. Additionally, they will be awarded a sign-on bonus of up to $20,000.“We are incredibly grateful to Allied Services for their significant investment in our nursing students,” said Dr. Jill Murray, Lackawanna College President. “Partnerships like this have a lasting impact on health outcomes in our communities. This opportunity will ensure that our graduates have acquired family-sustaining jobs and fill much-needed positions in our local healthcare facilities.”Applications will be accepted until April 1 of a student’s first year and will be awarded in the Fall 2021 through Spring 2023 semesters to nine second-year students in Lackawanna’s nursing program. The scholarship will cover tuition, fees and textbooks.“Allied Services Integrated Health System has a strong history of reinvesting in education for our employees’ career advancement,” said Bill Conaboy, Esq., President and CEO of Allied Services. “This new nursing education partnership is an excellent example of extending the same opportunities to deserving students who truly want to make a difference in healthcare by joining our team which helps thousands of people, especially the aging in our region and those with chronic illness, in long term care, home health, rehabilitation nursing, and hospice care”. The new scholarship opportunity aligns with Lackawanna College’s and Allied Services’ commitment to preparing students for careers in the field of healthcare, particularly in post-acute and long-term care.More information about how to apply for the Allied Services Nursing Scholarship is available at lackawanna.edu/scholarships.
NEPA Health Care Foundation Opens Careers in Care Nursing Scholarships The Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation today announces the opening of its new Careers in Care Nursing Scholarship application, established through the Scranton Area Community Foundation. This $700,000 competitive nursing scholarship program aims to support the growth and development of the nursing workforce in NEPA. The Careers in Care Nursing Scholarship Program is now accepting applications from students who plan to pursue or who are pursuing nursing and who will practice in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Interested students with demonstrated financial need can apply through the Scranton Area Community Foundation’s online portal found at safdn.org/nursing. The deadline to apply for a nursing scholarship is Saturday, May 15, 2021. To qualify for a Careers in Care Nursing Scholarship, individuals must show they have had a permanent address in Lackawanna, Luzerne, or Wyoming County for the last three years. Scholarships are available to those interested in obtaining a CNA and entering the healthcare workforce. Scholarships are also for anyone employed in the healthcare field in either Lackawanna, Luzerne, or Wyoming County and looking to advance as an LPN or RN. Additionally, students may apply if they are in their third or fourth year of a four-year nursing degree and looking for financial assistance. ‘Nontraditional’ students or those looking to go back to school to obtain a nursing degree may also apply. A registered nurse looking to obtain a Master’s degree may also qualify for a Careers in Care Nursing Scholarship. Letters of recommendation are required when applying. These scholarship opportunities offered by the Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation through its Careers in Care program, come during a time where the strains on the healthcare workforce in Northeastern Pennsylvania have been significant. These scholarships aim to make an impact on the nursing workforce in Lackawanna, Luzerne, and Wyoming Counties. “These scholarships will provide the much-needed financial support to students who may otherwise not have been able to further their education,” stated Director of Nursing and Associate Professor of Practice at Marywood University, Dr. Theresa Tulaney, Ph.D., MS, RN, GCNS. “In addition, it will allow students to focus on their education instead of having to work many hours to alleviate difficult financial situations,” she added. “The Foundation’s Board understands the strains that the regional healthcare workforce is facing and, through the Careers in Care initiative, strives to make an impact to address these critical issues,” said James Clemente, NEPA Health Care Foundation Board Chair. “Over the past year, we have seen just how timely this really is.” Additionally, through Careers in Care, the NEPA Health Care Foundation will provide grant support totaling $830,000, to a variety of organizations including Lackawanna College, for its three-year plan to enhance the pipeline of local healthcare professionals and increase the number trained and retained in the region; United Neighborhood Centers of NEPA for its Upward Economic Mobility Program; and Saint Joseph’s Center for direct support professional wage increases. The Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation’s Careers in Care initiative is a $1.5 million commitment over a three-year period (2020-2023) focused on moving the needle on these critical areas. The rollout of the Careers in Care initiative comes after the completion of a regional listening tour which the Foundation conducted from May through September of 2019. The NEPA Health Care Foundation conducted 30 site visits across the region to determine the health workforce challenges from the perspective of multiple healthcare providers, colleges, universities, vocational schools, agencies, and other nonprofit organizations, and how the Foundation could best make an impact. “It was clear from discussions during our listening tour that there is a great demand for nurses at all levels. Supply is just not able to meet demand,” said Laura Ducceschi, President and CEO of the Scranton Area Community Foundation. She continued, “It was also clear that the development of the regional health workforce pipeline needs to continue to start earlier with students.” The Scranton Area Community Foundation administers the NEPA Health Care Foundation. In addition to the Careers in Care initiative, the NEPA Health Care Foundation is also in the seventh year of a $3.2 million commitment to the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine (GCSOM) for scholarship support for incoming first-year medical students from Lackawanna, Luzerne and Wyoming counties. The NEPA Health Care Foundation Scholars program covers full tuition for these scholars, who indicate a commitment to practice medicine in Northeastern PA.
Marywood University Recognized as a Best Allied Health Professions Schools Marywood University is one of the 2021 Best Allied Health Professions Schools according to Health Care Degree Search. Allied health encompasses a broad group of health professionals who use scientific principles and evidence-based practice for the diagnosis, evaluation and treatment of acute and chronic diseases, promote disease prevention and wellness for optimum health, and apply administration and management skills to support health care systems in a variety of settings. Marywood has earned a total of 6 different awards in this year’s rankings. Highlights includes #7 Best Allied Health Professions Schools in Pennsylvania; #9 Best Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services Master’s Degree Schools; #19 Best Allied Health Professions Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region; #26 Best Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services Schools; and #69 Best Allied Health Professions Schools. The determinants that Health Care Degree Search employed for their ranking methodology include outcome focus; majors and degree offerings; the amount of time for a student to graduate; ranking factors; post-graduation wages; educational resources and success; post-graduation debt, program demand; online options; and data systems, including integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the College Scorecard, and the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS). For additional information about Marywood University’s College of Health and Human Services, please visit marywood.edu/hhs/index.html, or call the Office of Admissions, at (570) 348-6234. For additional information about Health Care Degree Search, please visit healthcaredegreesearch.com/colleges/marywood-university/media/ranking-college-quality-media-kit/.
