SCHOOL OF NURSING
Launch a career with many paths for growth
Associate Degree in Nursing
Table of contents A message from the associate dean............................. 1 Why consider a Geisinger School of Nursing education?..................... 2 Our mission............................................................................. 3 Accreditation......................................................................... 3 Spotlights.......................................................................... 4 – 8 About the program............................................................10 Plan of study.........................................................................10 Admissions requirements...............................................11 Student life............................................................................12 Student success...................................................................12 How to apply.........................................................................13
A message from the associate dean of nursing student education For the last 24 years, Gallup polls find that nursing is the most trusted profession. Patients cite knowledge, caring and compassion. But nursing at Geisinger is all of that and more. Geisinger nurses enjoy ample opportunity. Teamwork. Respect. Encouragement. Nurses at Geisinger work in a supportive environment where nurse voices are elevated, and nurse leadership is crucial. Nowhere is this more evident than in our approach to nurse education. Our education focuses on hands-on experiences that connect students to patients right away. Supervised by skilled and supportive faculty, students gain the confidence to communicate with patients and families and deliver care at a phase of learning when many other programs still rely on Power Points and lectures. Nursing students at Geisinger are also exposed to the vast array of career opportunities available to nurses — interacting and being inspired by nurse leaders with whom they work daily. These role models demonstrate the myriad things a nurse can do and emphasize that these opportunities in research, advanced care, leadership and education are open to every learner right here at Geisinger. In fact, many of our students have a guaranteed job here before they even graduate. Students who dream of caring for their neighbors, improving lives and accompanying patients on some of the most difficult journeys in life will make those dreams a reality almost as soon as they step onto our campus. If that sounds like your dream, you belong at Geisinger, and we welcome you! Rebecca Stoudt, DNP, PhD, MSN, CRNA Associate Dean of Nursing Student Education Geisinger School of Nursing
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Why consider a Geisinger School of Nursing education?
Campus locations Lewistown campus
Average RN starting salary: $86,132 Whether you’re beginning, growing or changing your career, a degree from Geisinger will put you on a flexible career path that can take you anywhere, from direct care to research and education — or even a leadership role.
100% RN job placement rate.* Graduates are highly prepared and in demand, achieving full placement in RN roles shortly after completing the program.
Many Geisinger students choose to become employees. More than 76% of our School of Nursing graduates find a permanent home as a Geisinger employee (as of May 2025). A deeply rewarding career with Geisinger may be in your future!
Scranton campus
The School of Nursing offers an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN). We focus on small class sizes, direct clinical experience and hands-on learning. Program outcomes •
NCLEX-RN pass rates:
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May 2025 graduates: 93.1% (first-time pass rate)
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May 2025 graduates: 100% (first-time and repeater pass rate)
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August 2025 graduates: 95% (first-time pass rate)
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August 2025 graduates: 100% (first-time and repeater pass rate)
*as of October 2025 2
Our mission
Accreditation
Geisinger School of Nursing exists to provide you with a quality education grounded in evidence-based knowledge that equips you to become a collaborative nurse leader who models excellence and delivers competent, safe, client-centered care in all practice settings.
Accreditation is a process of peer review that the educational community has adopted for self-regulation since the early 20th century. It’s a voluntary process intended to strengthen and sustain the quality and integrity of higher education, making it worthy of public confidence. Institutions choose to apply for accredited status, and once accredited, they agree to abide by the standards of their accrediting organization and to regulate themselves by taking responsibility for their own improvement.
Our philosophy Nursing is a dynamic process of caring based on a theory-guided, evidence-based body of knowledge and established standards of professional practice. The focus of nursing practice is based on the patient-family’s level of functioning, preferences, values and needs. Nurses also focus on different dimensions of patient care which promote, maintain and restore wellness, including:
The Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program at Geisinger College of Health Sciences in in Lewistown, PA is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Associate Degree in Nursing program is initial accreditation.
• Physiological • Psychological • Socio-cultural • Developmental • Spiritual
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400 • Atlanta, GA 30326 404-975-5000
End of program student learning outcomes
To view the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program, visit programacenursing.org/search-programs.
At the end of the program, the graduate will:
Geisinger College of Health Sciences is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) to award an associate degree in nursing, masters, and doctorate degrees. MSCHE is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Inquires or complaints can be referred to Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market St., 2nd floor west, Philadelphia, PA 19104, or by phone to 215-662-5501. Learn more at msche.org.
• Model safe nursing care in all practice settings. (Safety) • Collaborate with patients, families and members of the healthcare team to help the patient/family achieve optimal outcomes. (Teamwork and collaboration) • Implement clinical judgment when providing patientcentered care. (Client-centered care and clinical judgment) • Integrate data and technology for information-gathering, communication and clinical care. (Informatics) • Practice within the ethical, legal and regulatory framework of nursing and standards of nursing practice. (Professionalism) • Examine evidence-based research to guide nursing practice. (Evidence-based practice)
Approvals Our program has received full approval from the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing: Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing P.O. Box 2649 • Harrisburg, PA 17105 • 717-783-7142
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Alumni spotlight • Alex Haines, BSN, RN, PHRN, CEN
One degree leads to astonishing array of career choices For this career changer, nursing has accommodated every life priority. the compassion, the adrenaline, how you could change someone’s life in an instant and that’s when I started to fall in love with nursing,” he said. While he was a student at the School of Nursing, a particular area of nursing captivated him. “I started seeing the Life Flight nurses come in and I knew that’s what I wanted to do. I started talking with them and figuring out what I had to do to arrive there. I did some fly-alongs with them and it was amazing. I did my capstone nursing school study on becoming a flight nurse.
Like many high school seniors, Alex Haines rejected the safe, sensible advice of his mother in favor of a more exciting future. “You know, my mom told me I should go into nursing out of high school, and I said, ‘Absolutely not. This is what I’m going to do,’” he said. “This” was to serve his community as a Pennsylvania State Trooper like his father. Haines earned a degree in criminology but had difficulty finding a job. He started working as a security officer in the Emergency Department at Geisinger Lewistown, where he saw firsthand a career that appealed both to his sense of adventure and his desire to serve. “I spent a lot of time in the emergency department, and I got to see the care,
So, I set those goals and worked my way up into it, starting at security to the emergency department as a nurse and then I set my goals for flight nurse. I got that five years later.” It seemed Haines had everything he dreamed of as a high school senior. Action. Adventure. Service. But people grow and change, and Haines was no exception. He found himself at a career crossroads and felt the need to adjust his trajectory one more time.
“ Life has a way of changing goals,” he said. “I had a daughter. So, while I was doing the job I loved, an opportunity came up with Trauma. I never thought I would be a nurse
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behind a desk but here I am now, trauma program manager looking at the quality of our patient care, looking at risk and safety from the moment they come through our door to the time that they leave.” Nursing has been the one constant for Alex through the twists and turns in his journey. His training has accommodated each one of his shifting priorities.
“ I never thought I would feel this fulfilled behind a desk,” he said. “I never thought I’d feel this fulfilled as a manager. I always wanted to be the one providing direct care, but now I’m able to see that the things I do on a daily basis impact that direct care for the better, so much for the better. So, I’m grateful. I’ve had so many opportunities since becoming a nurse. There’s no other career like it.”
Alumni spotlight • Michelle Peachey, RN
Always encouraged to go higher Michelle Peachey’s road wasn’t straight, but it still led to nursing. I was 25,” she said. Instead, she engaged in various outreach projects with her Mennonite Church group, including teaching inner-city kids in Belize and volunteering at a nursing home in Virginia. “I got my CNA license there for free and worked for 17 months,” she said. “I also did 4 years of in-home care, became a phlebotomist and drew blood for a year.” Peachey has been in her current role in patient access registration at Geisinger Lewistown Hospital for the past 3 years.
Though Michelle Peachey has plenty of influences in her own family, she said a book was her inspiration to pursue a career in nursing. “I had an Usborne book on Florence Nightingale that I loved when I was growing up,” she said. “It was such an uplifting story of how she helped soldiers during war. Then, when I was 16, I started caring for a few elderly women in our church who needed in-home care. I didn’t pursue anything at that point — I was still young. But I found it very fulfilling to help people who couldn’t help themselves.” Instead, Peachey, who grew up on a farm in Reedsville, embarked on an odyssey of hands-on experiences in care and education that finally drove her to Geisinger’s School of Nursing, where she’s now in her second semester. “I didn’t get my GED until
Her family’s influence finally had its effect when Peachey decided it was time to pursue a nursing career. Her father David Peachey has been a chaplain at Geisinger for 20 years. Her brother Keith Peachey was the operations manager for med surg and the ICU at Geisinger Lewistown Hospital, and his wife Carolyn worked in labor and delivery. “I knew right away when I was planning to go to nursing school that it would be Geisinger,” Peachey said. “I knew what my brother thought about the school, and I was impressed when I attended both his and his wife’s graduations. My dad loves his ministry at the hospital as well. The things they said about Geisinger and the School of Nursing and how good it is — applying here was a total no-brainer for me.” Peachey also credits the people she’s worked with at Geisinger for giving her the support and encouragement to further her career.
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“As a Geisinger employee, I find our management is very good at wanting us to pursue upward mobility. They’re very happy to work with you. I’d guess most employees come to work hoping to go further in their career just because Geisinger has so many excellent opportunities. I know my brother is always encouraging students to go higher. And now, I’m taking part in the Nursing and Health Sciences Scholars Program. Geisinger has every resource needed to help you advance your career.” As she continues to advance, although she enjoys caring for the elderly, Peachey said she’s open to various fields in nursing. “I’ve been loving OB and pediatrics this semester and I think it would be great to start in med surg, or possibly the ICU. I really love caring for patients’ families as they go through difficult times. Wherever this career leads, I’m really excited about the future and the opportunities God will give me.”
Alumni spotlight • Brittney Peters, RN, LPN
Like family Faculty and staff support inspired this RN to change her career trajectory. But even if she hadn’t known the faculty personally, Peters is confident these teachers would have still made her feel welcome, inspired, and supported.
Brittney Peters, an alumni ADN student, began her journey at the Geisinger School of Nursing as an LPNto-RN student, returning to advance her career after first completing her practical nursing education a decade earlier. Now working as a registered nurse in the Emergency Department at Geisinger Lewistown Hospital, Peters credits the strong support and encouragement she received from her instructors for motivating her to continue her education. Reflecting on her experience, she said, “Jewel Peachey was actually an educator here at the hospital and is now my instructor. So I have a lot of experience working beside my instructors, which is fantastic.”
allowed me to work flex time while still watching my young kids grow up and go to school and it prevented my husband from having to work incredible amounts of overtime just to support our family.”
“ The staff at the School of Nursing makes sure to remove every obstacle to learning. They help you overcome them. They’re not here to watch you In the end, however, for Peters it’s still all about the fail — they want you to thrive and Geisinger people. succeed just as much as you want to. They’re absolutely fine with spending “ The staff is amazing. They do all they more time with you if you need it.” can for working students to take that extra stress off of us, allowing them Faculty encouragement wasn’t the only thing that to concentrate on their schoolwork. convinced Peters to take the plunge and go back to school. The school’s 2-year timeframe and the Without their encouragement, I may Nursing and Health Sciences Scholars Program were have been an LPN for the rest of my incentives too good to pass up. life on the third floor of Lewistown Hospital, but now I am considering “ I was actually considering other career options like nurse leadership nearby colleges. “I found a part-time or even education. A lot of things BSN online — but it would take six have opened up for me.” years. Six years is a long time and I have young kids. Another thing about Geisinger is the Scholars Program. I wouldn’t have been able to work full time, go to school full-time and raise my family. The Scholars Program
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Student spotlight • Shayanne Pyle, Current ADN Student
This nursing student’s instincts are right on track Personal and clinical experiences shaped Shayanne Pyle’s career choice. Now a Geisinger College of Health Sciences student, Pyle said Geisinger’s School of Nursing stood out for its supportive community, hands-on learning and flexibility for students balancing work and personal responsibilities. Pyle works at Geisinger Lewistown Hospital as a patient care assistant while also gaining clinical nursing experience. She said balancing full-time work with the rigors of nursing education has strengthened her resilience, time management and dedication to her goals.
Shayanne Pyle grew up caring for others. Her older brother had multiple health challenges, and she naturally stepped into a caregiver role, especially during his recovery from surgeries. Those early experiences, paired with the compassion shown by the nurses who supported her family, left a lasting impression. After her brother passed away in 2020, Shayanne knew she wanted to pursue nursing.
“That experience inspired me to become someone who helps patients and families feel comforted, heard and cared for during difficult times.”
One of the most meaningful aspects of the program so far? The relationships she’s formed with instructors and classmates. During her first semester, she connected with a group of women who motivate and support one another through the challenges of nursing school.
“Although the program is hard, having a strong support system has made the experience rewarding and encouraging.” Clinical experiences have also been especially impactful, allowing her to apply classroom knowledge and build confidence in real-word settings.
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In fact, the school’s emphasis on early clinical experience has solidified Pyle’s determination to be a nurse. After spending the day caring for a patient, Pyle was touched by their parting words to her: “Thank you for listening to me today. You are going to accomplish big things and be a wonderful nurse.” Balancing nursing school, full-time work and personal loss hasn’t been easy, but Pyle credits the support of her family, classmates and instructors with helping her persevere. Remembering why she started this journey continues to motivate her to care for others with the same compassion her family once received. Looking ahead, Pyle is exploring interests in emergency nursing, mental health and wound care. After graduation, she hopes to continue her career at Geisinger, pursue her BSN and potentially advance into a nurse practitioner role.
Program director spotlight • Lauren Weaver, MSN, RN, CNE
Advocate, caregiver, innovator, educator Meet the School of Nursing’s new director. For the School of Nursing’s new director, Lauren Weaver, caring for patients and teaching at Geisinger Lewistown Hospital has always felt like coming home. A Belleville native, Weaver was born and raised just 15 minutes from the School of Nursing campus. Surrounded by healthcare role models — her grandmother, aunt and cousin were all nurses — she developed an early admiration for the profession. But it was watching her grandfather care for her grandmother, who lived with multiple sclerosis, that convinced her nursing could change lives.
“ I remember my cousin telling me, ‘I really think you should consider nursing.’” After earning her degree from Eastern Mennonite University in Virginia, Weaver returned home and began her career at Lewistown Hospital — now Geisinger Lewistown Hospital. From there, she expanded her clinical expertise in home health and hospice, eventually becoming a supervisor.
But the pull of hospital nursing and serving her community brought her back to Geisinger. Over time, she became known not just as a strong nurse, but as someone gifted at teaching others. Precepting new nurses lit a spark that eventually led her to education.
What truly motivates her? Seeing the impact of graduates on local healthcare. Walking through Geisinger Lewistown Hospital, she often sees former students working confidently to provide high-quality, compassionate care.
Weaver joined the School of Nursing in 2019, then part of a long-respected diploma program. Soon after, she helped guide the school through the significant academic transition to becoming an associate-degree–granting institution. She embraced curriculum redesign and accreditation work to ensure current and future students had the best possible pathway to becoming nurses.
“It’s incredible to see them go from overwhelmed first-semester students to skilled nurses,” she said.
“ Curriculum and accreditation might not be everyone’s passion, but I love it. It’s exciting to build something that directly impacts student success.” When the opportunity to become director arose, Weaver felt both excitement and humility. She knew she’d miss teaching in the classroom and supervising clinicals, but the role offered a broader opportunity to shape the school’s future. Her philosophy is simple: support the faculty so they can support students. She sees her leadership as facilitative — removing barriers, building resources and creating a culture where educators thrive.
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And the impact goes both ways. As the school has grown, so has the quality of healthcare in the region.
“ The quality of care we’re able to provide today is amazing — and our graduates are a huge part of that.” As director, Weaver is focused on growth, innovation and expanding access while keeping community at the center of every decision. “My job is to continue building a place where students feel supported, faculty feel empowered and our community feels the impact. I want Geisinger School of Nursing to be the place where local students discover their potential and then stay to care for the neighbors and families who need them most.”
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About the program
Plan of study
At Geisinger School of Nursing, you’ll benefit from:
Geisinger School of Nursing offers a 5-semester plan of study. Fall and spring semesters are 16 weeks and summer semesters are 12 weeks.
• Hands-on training • Small class sizes • In-depth clinical exposure • Experienced and dedicated faculty
ADN Program information After completing the program, you’ll receive an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN). You’ll then be eligible to apply for the National Licensure Exam (NCLEX-RN) to become a registered nurse. The ADN program is a total of 70 credits. Nursing courses total 46 credits and the remaining 24 credits are general education courses. All courses are completed at the School of Nursing. If you haven’t completed your general education courses before starting the RN program, you’ll need to complete them in the evening during or before the semester listed. All general education courses must be completed before your final semester. Note to incoming LPNs: LPN-to-RN students will begin in the third semester and complete 54 credits in total. Of those, 30 nursing credits will be offered by the School of Nursing. The following general education courses must be completed prior to starting the third semester: Anatomy & Physiology 1 and 2, General Psychology and Lifecycle Development.
Year one: Nursing courses
Credit/unit
General education courses
Credit/unit
Semester 1 N101: Nursing Fundamentals
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BIO111: Anatomy and Physiology I
4
PSY123: Introduction to Psychology
3
Semester 2 N111: Health Promotion for the Adult
4
BIO211: Anatomy and Physiology II
4
N121: Nursing Care of the Childbearing Family
6
PSY275: Human Life Cycle Development
3
N211: Medical-Surgical Nursing I
6
BIO243: Microbiology
4
N201: PN-RN Progression Course (LPNs only)
2
General education courses
Credit/unit
Semester 3
Year two: Nursing courses
Credit/unit
Semester 4 N221: Medical-Surgical Nursing II
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ENG100: English
3
N222: Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing
4
SOC101: Sociology
3
Semester 5 N231: Nursing Care of the Complex Patient
5
N232: Transition into Practice
5
N233: NCLEX prep course
2
*LPN-to-RN plan of study begins in third semester. 10
Admissions requirements Geisinger College of Health Sciences seeks to admit talented, community-minded students who wish to pursue the nursing profession using a mission-aligned review of students’ metrics, attributes and experiences.
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Admission requirements: 1.
High school education – You must have completed work equivalent to a high school education. An official high school transcript or GED is required.
2.
The following high school or college level coursework: » Four units of English » Three units of social studies » Two units of mathematics (including algebra) » Two units of science (general biology and general chemistry) with a related laboratory or the equivalent
3.
Grade point average (GPA) will be considered for all applicants. A “C” grade or better is required in algebra, general biology and general chemistry, and each must be 1 full credit. (C-minus is not considered.)
4.
Testing – You may take an entrance exam. The following tests are acceptable (but not required) for consideration for admission for the program: » The ATI TEAS test » National League for Nursing Preadmission Examination for RN » ACT or SAT
5.
If you’ve completed post-secondary coursework, you must submit an official transcript(s) and detailed course description(s) for evaluation of academic achievement and possible credit transfer. Note: All post-secondary coursework must be completed at an accredited college or university. Sophia learning courses do not fulfill general education course requirements.
6.
Citizenship – You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the United States. 11
Official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores are required for applicants whose first language is not English. The TOEFL exam must be less than 2 years old at the time of application. The minimum required TOEFL score is 4.5 or higher, with a minimum speaking score of 5 or higher. For TOEFL exams completed before January 2026, the minimum required total IBT score is 84 or higher, with a minimum speaking score of 26. Test scores must be within 2 years of matriculation to the institution.
Student life
Student sucess
Social life
Career support services and wellness
As a Geisinger School of Nursing student, you’ll enjoy a vibrant, supportive social life beyond the classroom. The campus buzzes with activity as you and your fellow students engage in an array of social events and extracurricular activities, fostering a sense of community and camaraderie. You’ll collaborate and learn from one another, strengthening academic knowledge and friendships.
Here, you benefit from comprehensive career support services and wellness initiatives tailored to your needs. Faculty members fill multiple roles, serving not just as educators but also as dedicated advisors. They offer personalized guidance in career planning, providing invaluable insights into the nursing profession and helping you chart your path toward a successful career. You may also choose to be paired with a member of an upper class for “near peer” mentoring.
Volunteering
The School of Nursing prioritizes student wellness, recognizing the importance of a balanced lifestyle in nurturing you as a future healthcare professional. Wellness coaching is built into the curriculum. Through various programs and resources, you’re encouraged to prioritize self-care, looking out for your overall well-being while navigating the rigors of nursing education. This holistic approach makes sure you’re prepared — academically, emotionally and professionally — for the challenges and triumphs that lie ahead in your nursing career.
Required volunteer experiences seamlessly connect the institution with the broader community while reinforcing the realworld impact of nursing. As a graduation requirement, you must complete at least 2 volunteer activities that strengthen practical skills and foster a deep sense of empathy and social responsibility. Through involvement in community projects — such as free blood pressure screenings, vaccination drives and outreach programs at local schools — you’ll gain hands-on experience that enhances your clinical abilities. These meaningful opportunities broaden your perspective and empower you to apply your knowledge in diverse, impactful ways.
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Financial aid The Financial Aid Office can help you identify financial resources to achieve your educational goals while managing the cost of attendance. You can connect with a financial aid advisor by emailing nursingfinancialaid@geisinger.edu.
Ready to apply? Application process The School of Nursing accepts applications for 2 start terms: fall (beginning in August) and spring (beginning in January). Select which start term works best for your schedule and future goals. 1.
Complete your School of Nursing application.
2.
Submit official high school transcript and/or GED as required. Provide proof of prerequisite courses as outlined in admissions requirements.
3.
Standardized test scores are optional, but can be added to your application material.
4.
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required for applicants whose first language is not English. The TOEFL is not optional if English is not your first language.
5.
Submit official college and/or post-secondary education transcripts (past or current are required), if applicable.
6.
Submit LPN license, if applicable.
7.
Submit letters of recommendation. You can upload them or send them directly to gchsnursing@ geisinger.edu.
Contact us: Geisinger School of Nursing 111 E. Market St. Lewistown, PA 17044
Geisinger School of Nursing 525 Pine St. Scranton, PA 18509
Text: 570-600-5669 Fax: 717-242-7933 gchsnursing@geisinger.edu go.geisinger.edu/son 13
SCHOOL OF NURSING 111 E. Market St. Lewistown, PA 17044
525 Pine St. Scranton, PA 18509
Text: 717-242-7930 Fax: 717-242-7933 gchsnursing@geisinger.edu go.geisinger.edu/son
Start your nursing journey with less financial stress With Geisinger’s Nursing and Health Sciences Scholars Program, you can focus on building your nursing career while easing the burden of student loans. Get the support you need to make a difference in healthcare with more financial peace of mind. Learn more.
Geisinger College of Health Sciences is committed to nondiscrimination in all employment and educational programs or activities. Concerns or questions may be directed to the Title IX coordinator whose contact information is available at geisinger.edu/titleix.
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