About Nursing at West Penn
The Western Pennsylvania Hospital in Pittsburgh is a premier tertiary care teaching hospital where nurses take pride in providing the highest-quality, patient-focused care in state-of-the-art facilities. Our professional nurses work closely with physicians and other staff to help each patient/family achieve their optimal health goals. West Penn nurses seek to advance in their careers and to contribute to their communities.
The theory framework for nursing at The Western Pennsylvania Hospital is based on the work of Imogene King. Registered nurses in all departments ensure delivery of "patient-focused care", educating and collaborating with patients, families, and other caregivers to provide the highest quality care in a manner that addresses patients' individual needs.
In addition to nurses and physicians, a West Penn patient's interdisciplinary healthcare team may include numerous other professionals such as a respiratory therapist, physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech-language pathology therapist, dietitian, case manager, and social worker. Nursing teams on many units include unlicensed caregivers such as patient care associates (PCAs) and support services associates (SSAs).
Staff nurses receive support from advanced practice nurses, education and development specialists (masters-prepared nurses), and all levels of nursing management to empower them to provide the highest quality of care and service and to advance their careers and the profession of nursing.
West Penn Hospital encourages and promotes professional autonomy, career development, and continuing education for nurses and all employees. The Hospital sponsors its own diploma School of Nursing (founded in 1892, accredited by the NLNAC) and 19 medical residency/fellowship programs (including internal medicine, family medicine, general surgery, foot and ankle surgery, colon and rectal surgery, obstetrics, radiology, and anesthesiology).
West Penn serves as a clinical campus for Temple University School of Medicine , accommodating up to 64 full-time third- and fourth-year students and dozens of Philadelphia campus students on short-term rotations. West Penn is also a clinical campus for the Indiana University of Pennsylvania School of Respiratory Technology and for the Penn State/New Kensington School of Radiologic Technology.
The Hospital's Richard M. Johnston Health Sciences Library and its full-time medical librarian provide access to a host of print, audiovisual, and on-line resources for patient care and education, nursing research, and professional practice. The Nursing Division sponsors numerous continuing professional education programs annually.
West Penn supports and encourages involvement in nursing research through several mechanisms, including the recently inaugurated Nursing Research Internship program.
West Penn's interim Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer Rosemary Gaglia, MSN, RN, CNAA, leads a team of six directors and collaborates closely with other Hospital vice presidents and directors to ensure excellence in patient care and in nursing education and research at West Penn.
West Penn boasts a large number of advanced practice nurses, including certified registered nurse practitioners (CRNPs), certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), and other nurses practicing in advanced roles.
West Penn nursing staff members may hold faculty appointments in The Western Pennsylvania Hospital School of Nursing, and numerous West Penn nurses serve as preceptors for students in West Penn's or another professional school of nursing or as mentors for nurses advancing their careers at West Penn or seeking specialty certification or another advancement.
Professional Paradigms
Education, research, and recognition activities of nursing and nurses at West Penn Hospital are described in the Nursing Division's professional nursing journal, Professional Paradigms.
To view recent issues, click on a link below (you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader; to download this free program, click on "Get Adobe Reader" at www.Adobe.com):
Spring 2005
Fall 2005/Winter 2006
Summer/Fall 2006
Winter 2007
Summer/Fall 2007
Notice of copyright: All issues of Professional Paradigms are the property of The Western Pennsylvania Hospital and may not be reprinted or reused, in whole or in part, by any entity without express written permission of The Western Pennsylvania Hospital.
Contact West Penn Nursing
Magnet Recognition Program:
Jacqueline Collavo, BSN, RN, Project Director
Telephone: 412-578-5205
For Employment Opportunities:
Donna Murray, BSN, RN, Nurse Recruiter
Telephone: 412-578-4267
Directions to West Penn
Please click here for directions to The Western Pennsylvania Hospital. |
