After more than two decades, Allegheny Health Network is reopening its Citizens School of Nursing in Erie, launching a new part-time program designed to help address ongoing nursing shortages in the region.
Officials from AHN Saint Vincent and the AHN Citizens School of Nursing announced the program Tuesday, saying it will provide students with greater access to nursing education while allowing for more flexibility in balancing work, family, and other responsibilities.
Healthcare leaders say the need for qualified nurses remains high, and they hope the new program will help strengthen the local workforce by making nursing education more accessible and consolidating the resources students need to succeed.
The part-time program will span three years and will welcome its first class of 24 students in January. AHN officials say the initiative represents a significant investment in developing the next generation of nurses and supporting the future of healthcare in the Erie community.
The reopening of the nursing school marks a major milestone for AHN Saint Vincent, bringing nursing education back to the institution after more than 20 years and creating a new pathway for aspiring nurses to enter the profession.