Geisinger’s Ambitious Plan: New School of Nursing in Scranton
Geisinger is set to broaden its educational influence with the introduction of a new School of Nursing campus in Scranton. Following the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing’s approval, this initiative aims to address the growing need for nurses in the region.
Projected to begin in the fall of 2027, the Scranton-based campus will offer associate’s degrees in nursing (ADNs), with an anticipated enrollment of 50 students in the fall and an additional 30 in the spring.
The Scranton campus will mirror the successful program in Lewistown, where 70% of graduates reportedly choose to remain within the Geisinger system for employment.
The nursing school will find its home in Geisinger’s Medical Science Building, joining the School of Medicine and the School of Graduate Education already located there.
Julie Byerley, the president of Geisinger College of Health Sciences and chief academic officer at Geisinger, highlighted the importance of this expansion, stating, “Our medical school opened in 2008 because our region needed more physicians. Today, we are responding to a similar workforce need in nursing.”
Byerley added, “We are thrilled to launch this program as part of our commitment to improving the health of our communities… We need more nurses – as we launch this program we will also continue to support and collaborate with our educational partners who educate nurses in the Geisinger clinical system.”
Students in Scranton will gain clinical experience at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center and Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre.
Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti expressed her support, noting the program’s potential benefits for the local economy and community. “Healthcare and education are cornerstones of Scranton’s economy. Geisinger’s new nursing college will create opportunities for local students to pursue their dreams here and serve our community after graduation,” she remarked.
Cognetti further praised Geisinger’s educational initiatives in the region, saying, “In a relatively short time, the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine has proven that its concept to educate doctors in Northeast PA works. Adding nursing is a very helpful next step to ensure quality healthcare professionals are trained here and stay here.”
