Signing Ceremony Held for PCH, BSU Aspiring Nurse Program

WVU Medicine Princeton Community Hospital (PCH) hosted a special signing ceremony today (Nov. 29, 2023) for students accepted into the Aspiring Nurse Program. Bluefield State University (BSU) is partnering with PCH in the program, which is an initiative of WVU Medicine.   

Students participating in the competitive Aspiring Nurse Program are enrolled in a BSU nursing degree program and will complete their clinical training at PCH. They will receive up to $25,000 to support education and living expenses during college. In exchange, each participant commits to a three-year work agreement at PCH.  

This arrangement helps the students financially with everyday expenses which can be a big obstacle for them as they pursue a degree. Additionally, it addresses the nursing shortage by training and retaining qualified healthcare professionals. To ensure their success, participants receive one-on-one support and mentorship throughout their academic and clinical training and as they transition to professional nursing roles.  

“Princeton Community Hospital is honored to be partnering with Bluefield State University in the Aspiring Nurse Program,” stated Karen Bowling, PCH president and CEO. “Having trained and worked as a nurse myself, I realize how valuable this program will be for the participants. We’re glad for the opportunity to mentor them and provide clinical experiences. We look forward to our continued association as they begin their nursing careers here at PCH.”  

“I am so excited to be able to work with BSU to offer this to their students,” stated Tim Anderson, PCH vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer.  “Nursing school can be one of the most stressful times in your life and hopefully this program will help by relieving some of the financial stress for the students so they can truly focus on their academic studies.      

“PCH is a great place to work and will offer great career growth opportunities as they continue their work as registered nurses once they graduate. Our desire is this program will continue to grow and we will be able to assist more students in the coming years,” he said.   

“Bluefield State has a long history with educating healthcare professionals. The addition of WVU Medicine to this relationship continues to provide clinical settings in which our students can gain hands-on experience,” stated Dr. Angela Lambert, dean of the BSU College of Health Sciences. “The Aspiring Nurse Program will enhance our programs and will be essential to assisting students financially while keeping high quality nurses in our local WVU Medicine facilities.”

Participants in the Aspiring Nurse Program include Nicole Alley, Anthony Blankenship, Jacob Blankenship, Mason Brookman, Erika DiNovo, Kara Hale, Tiffany Jones, Kayla Overstreet, Nicklas Pitzer, Olivia Potter, Natalie Sigmon, Taylor Whitteker, and Nathasha Woart. 

The desire to help others and alleviate pain and suffering are among the reasons these students are pursuing careers in nursing. Their own personal experiences and caring for family members have added to their aspirations to be nurses. Opportunities for growth and a professional, caring staff encouraged students to apply for the program and agree to a three-year assignment at PCH.  

“I have always wanted to become a nurse for as long as I can remember. I love to take care of people. I want to make a difference in people’s lives, and I love being able to help people feel better,” said Tiffany Jones. “As a child, I grew up taking care of my grandmother, and helped take care of foster siblings. I just know being a nurse is what I’m supposed to do in life.”   

“I have always wanted to help people,” said Jacob Blankenship. “I have been an EMT for three years while I have been in nursing school, and I always loved being there for people in their time of need. Nurses are at the front lines of healthcare, providing essential care, comfort, and support to patients during their most vulnerable moments. The chance to alleviate suffering and promote healing is extremely rewarding.”   

“WVU Medicine is a growing hospital that holds plenty of opportunities for growth. Beginning a career here will provide learning opportunities with the benefit of being close to home,” said Erika DiNovo.  

“I want to begin my nursing career with WVU Medicine PCH because it is where my story began. I was born at PCH in 1990 and spent several nights being cared for in this facility as a child,” said Kara Hale. “The staff was and still is some of the best I have encountered throughout my adult life.”  

About the Aspiring Nurse Students

Tiffany Jones says she has wanted to become a nurse for as long as she can remember and that she loves to take care of people. As a child, she grew up taking care of her grandmother and her foster siblings. She says wants to make a difference in people’s lives and that she loves being able to help people feel better.  

Jacob Blankenship chose nursing as a career because he has always wanted to help people. He has been an EMT for three years while he has been in nursing school and says he has always loved being there for people in their time of need.  

Natalie Sigmon says she has always wanted to help others in their time of need. She says she wants to be an inspiring nurse who makes her patients feel safe and comfortable for their stay or visit at the hospital.  

Taylor Whitteker chose nursing as a career to help others and to make a difference after helping care for a sick parent. Taylor says the drive to become the best nurse possible became stronger with the parent’s passing. 

Erika DiNovo says that helping people has always been a big part of who she is. She says that after experiencing Covid-19 while working as a medical assistant, she made a vow to go back and get her nursing degree. 

Nicklas Pitzer explains that one of the reasons he chose nursing is to help and make an impact on his community like his mom, sister, cousin, and aunt – who are all nurses – are doing. He said he also wants to work and help to alleviate the nursing shortage.  

Kara Hale says she always responded with “a nurse” when asked what she wanted to be when she grew up. She says she appreciated the nurses who helped make her stays in the hospital fun and easy when she was sick as a child and that now she wants to be a caregiver to those in their greatest times of need.  

Nathasha Woart explains that she has always been passionate about helping others and simply being there for them. She says that being a nurse will allow her to make an impact in people’s lives, contribute to healthcare, and work in a rewarding profession.  

Olivia Potter chose a career in nursing because she says her goal in life is to make an impact in at least one person’s life. She says that through nursing, she can be that person they never forget. 

Nicole Alley says that after helping her husband recover from Covid pneumonia in 2021, she realized that she’s always enjoyed helping others. She took a CNA class and says she thoroughly enjoyed the healthcare environment.  

Mason Brookman says he chose a career in nursing to help his community. He is following in the footsteps of his mother, two sisters and a brother. He says his main drive is critical care and he has aspirations of becoming a flight nurse. 

Anthony Blankenship says he is a public servant at heart and that he lives to serve both his community and his patients. He says his mother, who was a nurse, instilled values in him that he feels confident would make him a valuable team member.  

Kayla Overstreet says she feels that nursing is perfect for her. She explains that she loves being able to help people and make their day simply by being helpful. 

About WVU Medicine Princeton Community Hospital 

WVU Medicine Princeton Community Hospital is leading health in the two Virginias. With 420 physicians and mid-level providers, PCH operates a fully accredited 203-bed acute care medical facility, a 64-bed psychiatric hospital, and a stand-alone emergency room and outpatient services facility in Bluefield. Through its subsidiary Mercer Medical Group, PCH operates eight primary care clinics and eight specialty clinics offering a wide range of care to a 10-county region.