ABOUT US
The Pennsylvania Association of Practical Nursing Administrators is a non-profit organization designed to advance the profession of Practical Nursing through education and advocacy regarding the role of the Practical Nurse in today's health care system. We are comprised of Professional Registered Nurses who work as Deans, Directors, Chairs or Coordinators of Practical Nursing Programs throughout the state of Pennsylvania and welcome members from other states to share in the networking and support system of the Association as non-voting members.
EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS
Janyce Collier
Co-President
Janyce.Collier@franklinctc.com
Carol Duell Co-President
Eastern Center for Arts and Technology
3075 Terwood Road
Willow Grove, PA 19090
215-784-4819
Karen Malt
Secretary
Hazleton Area Career Center
1451 West 23rd St
Hazle Township, PA 18202
570-459-3221 ext 82407
Timothy B. Campbell
Treasurer
Central Susquehanna Career Center
1339 St. Mary St.
Lewisburg, PA 17837
570-768-4960
ORGANIZATION OBJECTIVES
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To advance the Practical Nursing Profession in the state of Pennsylvania
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To promote the professional growth of the membership
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To encourage individual members to participate in the growth and development of the organization
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To enhance the competence of the members through educational programs
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To promote the members' awareness of the professional, legal, ethical, and political issues affecting practical nursing
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To respond to any issues affecting the education of practical nurses
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To maintain a collaborative, integrated relationship that serves as a resource body to professional groups, government agencies, and organizations on any topic affecting the practice and education of practical nurses
EDUCATOR of the YEAR AWARD

Each year, PAPNA honors one Instructor that has proven their ability to go above and beyond the expectations of both students and Administrators. This individual demonstrates the skills and characteristics needed to inspire and engage students in the field of nursing. Whether the individual teaches in the classroom or clinical area, they are able to bring out the best in students and inspire in them the desire to continue learning about how to improve patient care.
This year, Sally Fitzgerald from the Community College of Beaver County was awarded the PAPNA Educator of the Year Award.



BEST PRACTICE PRESENTATIONS
plural; noun
a procedure that has been shown by research and experience to produce optimal results and that is established or proposed as a standard suitable for widespread adoption
Each spring, PAPNA members & program faculty are called upon to share their ideas for best practices used in practical nursing education.
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Karen Schulze, MSN, RN, CPN, CSN
LincolnTechnology Institute
Topic: The other side of the spoon
Debora Coombs, MSN, RN, CNE
Franklin County Career and Technology Center
Topic: Research in Practical Nursing - Taking the First Step


Susan Bush, BS, BSN, RN
Penn State LV & Northampton Community College
Topic: Medication Simulation in the clinical setting

Nicole St. Clair, BSN, RN
Central PA Institute of Science and Technology
Topic: Examination Review Through “Speed Dating”

Kimberly Brenchley, MS, RN
Sherry Hyland
Dawn Murafka
Pennsylvania College of Technology
Topic: End-of-Course Review Activities (Gaming)

Donna Cunningham, MSN, RN
Rebecca Romagna, MSN, RN
Greater Altoona Career & Tech Center
Utilizing a Student Made Bulletin Board Across the Curriculum: Best Practices On Preventing Urinary Tract Infections
Pamela Hoffeditz, MSN, RN, CNE
Franklin County Career and Technology Center
Topic: Mental Health Focus Day
Spring 2019
EASTERN
"I was not perfect all of the time, but I always improved from others advice and practice. Nursing is hard work, it needs people that will put in the effort to work and improve to meet their patient’s needs. … Honesty is a moral value that is important in all aspects of my life. As a nurse, honesty is something that you have to always abide by. Patients, patient families and co-workers put their trust in you. … Whether I have long or short term goals, I am sure of what I want to accomplish. If there are barriers or outside forces that delay my goals, I know that no matter what I will eventually accomplish those goals.” Karen Wong Yargas
Career and Technology Center of Lackawanna County
Director Laura Kanavy
L to R: Ann Millan, MSN, RN, faculty; Laura B.Kanavy MSN, RN, Director
Karen Wong Vargas, SPN; Jill Mathewson, BSN, RN, faculty
Michele Boland, MSN, RN, faculty
CENTRAL
“I learned from an earlier age that passion, love and genuine dedication are important to a person who has given up in life. My brother needed compassion, encouragement, perseverance and love. … I will promise to bring the same characteristic traits of compassion, encouragement, dedication to duty and empathy to my patients and the field of practical nursing. I look forward to genuinely impact the lives of those who will be entrusted to my care.”
Ruth K. Nyairo
Lebanon County Career and Technology Center
Director Jenny Neidigh
Western
“Like the nurses that I met when I was little, I want to provide hope to the
families and individuals that I work with and shine a light onto their dark
time. I know personally what a difference that kindness and compassion
can do for a patient and their family in a stressful situation. I am so
grateful for those nurses that inspired me and because of them, I look to
bring all of the qualities and contributions that they brought into nursing.
Being a practical nurse requires you to be knowledgeable, diligent, attentive,
professional, and empathetic and have excellent communication,
interpersonal and problem solving skills.”
Emma Moats
Pennsylvania Institute of Health and Technology
Director Pamela Hughes

FALL 2018
EASTERN
"...I believe that this is part of what makes me who I am and what will make me an excellent nurse in the future. No matter who the person is or what the situation, it is imperative to treat them with the utmost respect and to keep a calm manner when dealing with difficult issues. ...to make myself a better professional and a better person. I treat everyday as a learning experience... There is always something to be learned from every situation and I intend to better myself every day as a practical nurse."
Suzanne Dabady
Eastern Center for Arts and Technology
Carol Duell, Administrator
CENTRAL
"....What will I bring to Practical Nursing? I will change the culture as it pertains to the treatment of fellow nurses. '...Nurses eat their young.' It is an ugly phrase. This HAS to change. Nursing is hard. The RN/LPN that is assigned to your patient can make or break your experience. ....the challenges are high but we commit ourselves because we care deeply for our patients so then why do we not extend that care to our fellow nurses? We need to start. I am going to start. I am going to embrace new grads, students and new staff to my units. I am going to be a mentor and pass on my knowledge, my support and hopefully my humor... I promise to be a collegue and a port in the storm when the elevator doors open and I recognize the wide eyed expressions as the 'newbies' spill out. It is my sincerest hope that I can lead by example and pass along some kindness. I can't wait to say "Yay! We have students!"
Morgan McDermott
Clearfield County Career and Tech Center
Cheryl Kreig, Administrator

Western
"....I am seeing the importance of bedside manner while in clinicals. It can improve patient's mood and patient's response to care. It can increase the likelihood of patient compliance and making for a trusting nurse-patient relationship. .....Caring and skilled nursing together can make a difference... I will be a Vocational Practical Nursing but that only identifies the path that I choose, however it doesn't limit the type of nurse I want to be.... an excellent addition to the nursing field.
Breann Marie Curry-Capo-chichi
Great Lakes Institute of Technology
Dawn Johnson, Administrator
SPRING 2018
WESTERN
"Sometimes in our lives, the most challenging of experiences are the ones that force us to stretch and grow the most." "I know that I will bring empathy, compassion, determination and impeccable work ethic to the practical nursing profession by providing quality patient care. Although grades are important, I believe that having heart is imperative to the nursing profession." "I believe that as a nurse, there are no "off" days. I am a nurse full time. Similar to a heartbeat, I cannot choose to stop my love for helping and caring for those around me."
Danielle Eger
Greater Altoona CTC
Administrator: Rebecca Kelly
Central
"I 'm also bringing with me the belief that I'm working for the patients I have assigned to me. They deserve my time, my attention, and my compassion. I've seen loved ones who feel overlooked while sick in a hospital. While I understand that the demand on nurse can spread us thin, I would do my best to make sure each person I work with doe not feel forgotten or overlooked." "The demands of the job will not always let me do everything for everyone. i do realize this. I hope that in the process of doing my job I will let my patients know someone cares, they are not alone, and ease some of their fears. I will always remember that the people I am caring for are someone's father, mother, grandparent, sister, brother, or child. They are a person not just a job."
Sylvia Wittman
Jefferson County - Dubois Area Vocational Technical School
Administrator: Brenda Hodge
Eastern
"By using my knowledge and critical thinking skills, I was able to advocate for my patient resulting in him receiving optimum care. As well as helping patients I am intent on helping my peers. In Febraury, 2018, I created a social media account called Student Nurse Support." ". . . I love helping fellow nursing students learn information that they have been struggling with, by introducing it in a different way. It also is an amazing way to connect with nurses, doctors and students from all over the world." ". . . I came to the realization I needed to take a leap of faith and go back to school to become the nurse I dreamt of. . ."
Ellen Weitzel
Lancaster County Career and Technolgy
Administrator: Josie A Campbell


