The Western Pennsylvania Hospital

The Western Pennsylvania Hospital offers staff nurses many opportunities for professional development, education and recognition.

Professional Development Programs

Professional development programs include the following:

• Professional Recognition Program – Through this mentored clinical ladder program, nurses may submit a portfolio of professional achievements to advance to a higher level of clinical practice.
• Academy of Excellence – Nurses who excel in demonstrating leadership abilities may apply for appointment to West Penn's Academy of Excellence.
• Specialty Certification/Recertification Examination Reimbursement Program – Professional nurses can be reimbursed for the examination fee for certification or recertification in their nursing specialty, and Nursing has hosted several certification review/preparation courses for West Penn nurses onsite.
• Tuition Reimbursement – West Penn Hospital promotes and supports higher education for all employees by offering annual tuition reimbursement for approved programs.
• On-site Higher Education Programs – A program for registered nurses to earn the bachelor of science in nursing degree is offered through Clarion University of Pennsylvania. On-site/online RN-to-MSN or BSN-to-MSN programs are offered by a Clarion – Edinboro universities program.

All nurses can keep abreast of professional issues and fulfill criteria for professional advancement by participation in regularly scheduled education and development opportunities such as Nursing Grand Rounds and other Hospital-wide or department-based professional education programs.

West Penn offers the expertise of numerous nurse researchers and a variety of programs to enhance evidence-based practice. These include a Nursing Research Internship Program that provides mentoring and funding for staff nurses to plan, implement and disseminate the results of nursing research.

Registered nurses in any department are welcomed and encouraged to write articles for or serve on the editorial board of the Nursing Division's peer-reviewed journal, Professional Paradigms.

Professional Recognitions for West Penn Nurses

Staff nurses are recognized for their professional achievements in many ways.

The annual "Celebration of Excellence in Nursing" event recognizes those who have achieved professional recognitions, including clinical ladder advancement, appointment to the Academy of Excellence or certification in a nursing specialty, and those who have represented West Penn in the Cameos of Caring award program.

West Penn nurses' academic and clinical advancements are recognized and reported in Professional Paradigms, Hospital publications, and often in the media.

View Professional Paradigms to read about excellence in nursing services at West Penn and recognitions of West Penn nurses.

"West Penn Hospital has an excellent reputation for patient care and I see this among my co-workers every day."