Nursing

Student Nurses' Association of Pennsylvania (SNAP)

All nursing students are active participants in SNAP, through membership in the University chapter.

SNAP is a student run organization that represents over 1,800 students from more than 50 nursing schools within Pennsylvania. SNAP is an affiliate of the National Student Nurses' Association (NSNA).

The purposes of this organization are: to contribute to nursing education, in order to provide for the highest quality care; to provide programs representative of fundamental and current professional interests and concerns; and to aid in the development of the whole person and his/her professional role and responsibility for the health care of all people (NSNA Bylaws, 1992). All matriculated students in the nursing major are eligible for membership in the Misericordia University Chapter of SNAP .

Sigma Theta Tau

Misericordia University's Nursing Department is represented by the Theta Phi Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International, the international honor society for nursing. Membership in the society is awarded to bachelor's, master's and doctoral nursing students who achieve high scholastic averages, and to graduates of nursing programs who have made outstanding contributions to nursing.

To be nominated for membership in the Theta Phi Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau, undergraduate nursing candidates must have completed at least on half of the nursing curriculum, have at least a 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale, and be in the upper 35% of his/her graduating class. The student must also demonstrate leadership in nursing at Misericordia University and in the community.

Graduate nursing candidates must have completed one fourth of the nursing curriculum and achieved a 3.5 grade point average.

Sigma Theta Tau International, and the Theta Phi Chapter, encourage and actively support professional development and promote nursing scholarship, leadership, creativity and commitment to nursing. Theta Phi conducts many activities and events aimed at members.

Dr. Cindy Mailloux participated in a service trip through Global Health and Community Engagement in East Africa.

This course seeks to create a global learning experience for students interested in international social issues, global health, and cross-cultural communication. Students in this program will spend two or four weeks abroad, experiencing cultural immersion in a rural area of Tanzania and learning about the community health programs, media outlets, and culture of this part of East Africa. Our on-site collaborators are various agencies in rural northwestern Tanzania including the WOMEDA (women’s rights), MAVUNO (water issues and microfinance), Karagwe School districts, Nyakahanga district hospital, the AIDS control program, Kagera Disability services, Community Radio, plus numerous other NGOs that are associated the local community (see list below). The program is designed to expose students to a broad variety of topics related to development, cross-cultural communication, and community health in the global context of community service programs in Africa and international development. Each student will do an immersion project with one of our partners. Possibilities include gender issues, broadcast production, maternal and child health, community health outreach, and public relations.

Read more about her experience at

communityserviceintanzania.wordpress.com.

* Students will need to take pre-requisites of Anatomy and Physiology I, Microbiology, and Nutrition prior to the study away experience. This provides students freedom to select from a variety of study away options.

While studying at Southern Cross in Australia, Autumn Schray, is seen here spending some time with a Koala Bear. Koalas are found in habitats, from coastal islands and tall eucalyptus forests to low woodlands inland. The koala is a small bear-like, tree-dwelling, herbivorous marsupial which averages about 9kg (20lb) in weight. Its fur is very thick and usually is ash grey in color.

The koala gets its name from an ancient Aboriginal word meaning "no drink" because it receives over 90% of its hydration from the Eucalyptus leaves (also known as gum leaves) it eats, and only drinks when ill or times when there is not enough moisture in the leaves. Autumn is enjoying this unique animal as she attends her coursework during the fall 2016 semester.

Nursing Scholarships

Sharon Drasnin Scholarship
Awarded annually to the nursing student with the highest grade point average at the completion of the junior Year.

Edith Elliot Scholarship
Awarded annually to female full-time undergraduate nursing students. There are 25- 30 Edith Elliot Scholarships awarded annually.

Victoria Cadawalder Scholarship
Awarded annually to one academically able nontraditional full-time undergraduate nursing student.

Jean Tyrell Weinburg Scholarship
This award is offered annually to an undergraduate incoming freshman nursing student.

Jennie Benedetti Scholarship
Awarded annually to a Native of Greater Wilkes-Barre Area. The student must be in an undergraduate nursing or medical major.

Charlotte Newcomb Scholarship
Numerous Charlotte Newcomb Awards are distributed annually to female students who are 24 years old or older, currently enrolled in a full-time or part-time graduate or undergraduate nursing program. To be eligible for this award, one-half of your intended program must be completed.

Undergraduate Nursing Awards

The following awards are available for students who are graduating from the undergraduate, registered nurse (RN) and graduate nursing programs:

1. The Sister Mary Kateri Dowart Award is an award that is conferred annually to a graduating undergraduate nursing student. Criteria include:
   1. QPA above 3.0
   2. Demonstrated service to the Nursing Department, the College and the Community
   3. Membership in the National Student Nurses Association
   4. Endorsement by faculty
2. The M. Bernadette Hogan Award is an award that is conferred annually to a graduating RN to BSN student who exemplifies outstanding service and leadership to the profession of nursing and the community.
3. The Clinical Excellence Award is an award that is given to an undergraduate nursing student whose GPA is greater than 3.0 and who is judged by faculty to administer superior nursing skills in clinical practice.
4. The John Glawe Award for Caring and Compassion in Nursing is an award that is conferred annually to a BSN student who exemplifies caring and compassion with clients on the clinical unit.
5. Graduating seniors in nursing are also eligible for College conferred awards.

Misericordia University supports Geisinger Wyoming Valley on Nurse Residency Program

DALLAS, Pa. – Geisinger Northeast and the Department of Nursing at Misericordia University are collaborating on a nurse residency program to be delivered on the Dallas campus. This program provides new registered nurses hired at Geisinger Northeast with additional education, mentoring and support as they transition from graduate nurses to professional registered nurses.

The Institute on Medicine recommends nurse residency programs as an important component in developing nurses in the workplace. Geisinger selected Misericordia University as its partner in Luzerne County for the one-year residency program that provides 12 monthly sessions to newly hired Geisinger Northeast employees. This program was established to provide future nurses for excellence and a better educated workforce in the clinical setting. The program will transition new graduates into competent providers of care.

The mentoring and education includes additional training in the simulation laboratory as well as classroom instruction that aids in professional development, workplace leadership, team building, and more. The program coordinators for the residency program are Nina Flannigan PhD, GNP-BC, PMH-CS and Kim Caruso MSN, RN.

Nurse Residency Program

Geisinger Northeast and the Department of Nursing at Misericordia University are collaborating on a nurse residency program on campus for newly hired nurses at Geisinger Northeast. Participating in a recent session on campus, seated from left, are Bridget Fox, RN; Maryann Cortese-Rubino, MS, RN, associate VP of nursing services, Geisinger Northeast; Dr. Nina Flanagan, nurse residency program coordinator, Geisinger Northeast, and Jennifer Everding, RN; standing, Audrey Cunfer, MSN, RN, nursing laboratories manager, Misericordia University; Kimberly Caruso, RN, nurse residency coordinator, Geisinger Northeast; Kaylin Ahearn, RN; Matthew Butler, RN; Brandi Burke, RN; Sarah Zulkoski, RN, and Dr. Cynthia Mailloux, professor and chair, Misericordia University.