After nearly two decades caring for patients at WellSpan York Hospital, Kate is graduating with the inaugural class of the Jersey College School of Nursing at WellSpan Health and preparing to become a registered nurse.

A nursing assistant since high school, Kate spent years putting her dream of becoming a nurse on hold while raising a family and navigating life's challenges. In 2023, she earned her licensed practical nurse (LPN) degree, and now she's taking the final step toward achieving her longtime goal of becoming a registered nurse.

"I became a single mom with two kids and tried a few times to go back to school," Kate said. "My heart just wasn't in the right place just yet."  

That changed when WellSpan partnered with Jersey College to create a nursing school designed to help grow the healthcare workforce in south central Pennsylvania. The opportunity to attend a nursing program close to home, combined with the ability to continue working at WellSpan York Hospital while learning, gave Kate the confidence to take the next step.

"When this opportunity came along, it felt like the right time," she said.  

The program allows students to earn an associate degree in nursing in as little as two years while gaining hands-on clinical experience within WellSpan.

"It was a great program because you're guaranteed clinicals," she said. "Getting that hands-on experience was incredibly valuable."

For Kate, those clinical experiences reinforced why she wanted to become a nurse in the first place.

For example, during a critical care rotation, she cared for a patient battling pancreatic cancer. The experience reminded her that nursing is about more than medical expertise. It's about supporting patients and families through some of the most difficult moments of their lives.

"Those experiences remind you why you're doing this," she said.

The final months of nursing school tested that commitment.

In May, doctors discovered a large tumor in Kate's spinal cord, requiring emergency surgery and weeks away from the classroom. Despite the setback, she stayed current on coursework and remained determined to graduate with her classmates.

"It was a journey, but I made it," she said. "I couldn't have done it without my family, my coworkers and all the support around me."  

Now, diploma in hand, Kate is preparing for the NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) examination and looks forward to continuing her career at WellSpan as a registered nurse.

Growing tomorrow's caregivers close to home

Kate’s story reflects the broader impact of the WellSpan School of Nursing at Jersey College. By creating more accessible pathways into nursing, the program is helping experienced caregivers advance their careers while preparing a new generation of nurses to serve patients across the region.

Today, more than 200 students are enrolled in the program, helping strengthen the workforce that communities will depend on for years to come.  

"Partnerships like this create an important connection between nursing education and the communities that need these professionals most," said Patricia Donley, senior vice president and chief nursing executive at WellSpan Health, who was one of the keynote speakers at graduation. "Kate's journey shows what's possible when dedicated caregivers are given a clear pathway to advance their careers and help reduce barriers that may be in their way. By connecting nursing education with hands-on experience in our health system, we're helping build a sustainable workforce of skilled nurses who are prepared to care for our communities now and in the future."

WellSpan is helping build the next generation of healthcare professionals by reducing barriers to education and career advancement. Through initiatives like the WellSpan Scholars Program, students pursuing nursing, medical imaging and physical therapy careers can receive financial support, mentorship and a pathway to employment after graduation. Additional investments, including the Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine at WellSpan Health and youth career exploration programs, are helping strengthen the healthcare workforce across the region.



Kate is joined by 13 fellow graduates of the inaugural nursing class at WellSpan York Hospital in September 2026.

Next steps  

As she prepares to cross the graduation stage surrounded by her family, Kate hopes her accomplishment serves as a reminder that it's never too late to pursue your goals.

After all, some dreams are worth waiting 20 years to achieve.

Interested in a nursing career? Learn more about Jersey College School of Nursing at WellSpan Health today. You can find details about the enrollment and admissions process at JerseyCollege.edu/WellSpan.  

If you are looking to offer financial support to a nursing student, you can find ways to give at www.WellSpan.org/Donate and choose the “WellSpan advancing nursing fund.” 

   
From left to right: Kate celebrating a well-deserved Rose Award for delivering compassionate care in March of 2020 at WellSpan York Hospital to Kate celebrating graduating in September of 2026.