UPMC, CU-Lock Haven Partnership provides local experience and opportunity for future nurses

LOCK HAVEN, PA – UPMC and Commonwealth University-Lock Haven have a longstanding partnership promoting health care careers in north central Pennsylvania. Through the partnership, students are afforded many opportunities for training and clinical observation experiences with UPMC’s employees locally, helping them to better understand the unique health care delivery challenges that the communities of the region face.

“There’s no shortage of demand for skilled and well-trained health care workers, so it’s important that as an organization we continue to invest in our partnerships that help bring the future workforce to UPMC and the communities we serve,” said Nicole Picerno, director, Nursing, UPMC Outpatient Centers in Lock Haven. “This collaboration is one of the many ways we’re working with educational institutions to ensure we’re attracting talented students to the region who choose to stay and serve our communities when they graduate.”

UPMC currently hosts 12 student nurses for clinical observations at Haven Place, a part of UPMC Senior Communities, located in Lock Haven. UPMC also offers clinical rotations and observations at other facilities in the region including UPMC Cole, UPMC Muncy, UPMC Wellsboro, and UPMC Williamsport. Through this exposure to the health care system, nurses become familiar with the units they serve, and many are offered the opportunity to be fully employed upon completing their nursing program. Student nurses and others also have the opportunity for part-time employment in supportive health care roles where they can gain additional exposure to the clinical setting and care for patients as they pursue their education.

“Commonwealth University’s School of Nursing appreciates the long-term collaboration with UPMC for clinical and training needs of our future nurses,” said Kim Olszewski, senior associate dean, School of Nursing. “Partnerships with clinical partners, like UPMC, continue to provide innovative and cutting-edge technology experiences for our students to prepare them for the health care workforce. We look forward to a continued partnership in meeting the health care demands of our community.”