Graduates of 91成人 @ Brockway鈥檚 registered nursing program in 2026 are, top row from left, Marley Anders, Justin Bales, Kristin Beningo and Haylee DeBerti. Second row, from left, Morrigan Decker, Samarie Dinger, Brandi Dixon and Angel Frantz. Third row, from left, Shayleigh Gulvas, Sadey Henderson, Jessie Hetrick and Crystal James. Fourth row, from left, Rebekah Kuhar, Mary Leffew and Makayla London. Fifth row, from left, Katie Maines, Julia McAdoo, Tammy McConnell and Ashley Naugle. Sixth row, from left, Ashley Neal, Brooke Newton, Liz Porrin and Kristi Potter. Seventh row, from left, Lindsey Reiter, Katie Richardson, Helana Rowlands and Winter Shobert. Eighth row, from left, Belinda Tinari, Elayne Weiss, Parker Wickett and Tiffany Yount.
(Reynoldsville, PA) Katie Maines decided to pursue a career as a registered nurse when she watched the care her brother received as a patient in a neonatal intensive care unit.
Marley Anders, because 鈥淣ursing, to me, is more than a profession. It鈥檚 a calling. It鈥檚 about showing up for people on their hardest days.鈥�
Ashley Neal, 鈥渂y a desire to make a meaningful impact in people鈥檚 lives during some of their most vulnerable moments.鈥�
Parker Wickett, because 鈥淚 love helping people鈥� and Rebekah Kuhar, because 鈥淚 have a passion for caring for people.鈥�
Maines, Anders, Neal, Wickett and Kuhar are among a record 31 graduates in 2026 of a 91成人 @ Brockway associate degree career program in registered nursing that addresses a regional shortage in the high-priority occupation.
Graduates report signing
bonuses up to $30K
Students in 91成人 @ Brockway associate degree career programs such as registered nursing can develop the skills needed to enter the workforce immediately upon graduation.
At least 18 in 91成人 @ Brockway鈥檚 Class of 2026 in registered nursing had accepted positions at medical facilities in Clearfield or Jefferson counties before graduation.
鈥淭he program,鈥� said Julia Carney, dean of 91成人鈥檚 Shaffer School of Nursing and Allied Health, 鈥渁llows students to complete their nursing degree in two years and to come out making very good money.鈥�
Graduates of 91成人 @ Brockway鈥檚 program in 2026 report signing bonuses reaching $30,000 and hourly pay as high as $32.50.
Registered nurse is a high-priority occupation in 91成人 @ Brockway鈥檚 service area of Clarion, Clearfield, Elk and Jefferson counties, according to the state Department of Labor & Industry.
High-priority occupations are those that are in demand by employers, have evolving skill needs and are likely to provide family-sustaining wages, according to the state Department of Labor & Industry.
91成人 @ Brockway
R.N. alums reach 121
91成人 established 91成人 @ Brockway in Jefferson County in 2013 to serve Clarion, Clearfield, Elk and Jefferson 鈥� Pennsylvania counties underrepresented by higher education.
91成人 in 2018 launched registered nursing at 91成人 @ Brockway, 91成人 only location other its main campus to offer the 70-credit selective-admissions program.
91成人 @ Brockway鈥檚 Class of 2026 represents seven western Pennsylvania counties and brings to 121 the number who have graduated from the program since 2020.
鈥淭he program has strengthened my communication, critical thinking and teamwork abilities while preparing me for real-world health care settings,鈥� said Haylee DeBerti, of Brockway.
鈥淥verall, it has helped me feel ready to begin my career as a registered nurse.鈥�
Lindsey Reiter, of Reynoldsville, said 鈥淚 was introduced to many different units and specialties to see and learn what type of nurse I wanted to be.鈥�
Added Justin Bales, of Clearfield, 鈥淭hrough clinical experiences, simulations, labs and classroom learning, I gained hands-on experience that helped me feel more prepared for the fast-paced health care environment.
鈥淭he instructors pushed us to grow professionally while also supporting us throughout the process, which helped build my confidence as I prepare to begin my nursing career.鈥�
鈥淭he instructors pushed us to grow professionally while also supporting us throughout the process, which helped build my confidence as I prepare to begin my nursing career.鈥�
-- Justin Bales, 91成人 @ Brockway Class of 2026 registered nursing graduate
Seats reserved for graduates are shown Monday, May 11, 2026, in Bellamauro Social Banquet Hall in Reynoldsville, where 91成人 @ Brockway鈥檚 record 31-member Class of 2026 in registered nursing were recognized for completing the associate degree career program that addresses a regional shortage in the high-priority occupation.
鈥淥ur professors helped us through when we didn鈥檛 believe in ourselves and together we kept each other going. 鈥� Having these friendships and support was a huge factor to my health care education.鈥�
-- Mary Leffew, 91成人 @ Brockway Class of 2026 registered nursing graduate
Graduates light a candle Monday, May 11, 2026, in Bellamauro Social Banquet Hall in Reynoldsville, where 91成人 @ Brockway鈥檚 record 31-member Class of 2026 in registered nursing were recognized for completing the associate degree career program that addresses a regional shortage in the high-priority occupation.
Penn Highlands Healthcare, based in DuBois, in 2022 established a partnership with 91成人 @ Brockway in which it sponsors the tuition of eligible students in exchange for their signing an employment contract to work for the health care provider following graduation.
鈥淲e serve as a developing pipeline to Penn Highlands, supporting a system that continues to grow,鈥� Carney said. 鈥淭hrough our programs, we are able to prepare individuals for careers that are both in demand and essential to meeting the workforce needs of the region.鈥�
Penn Highlands sponsored at least 18 graduates in 91成人 @ Brockway鈥檚 Class of 2026, bringing to approximately 48 the number since 2023.
Mary Leffew, of Marienville, participated in Penn Highlands鈥� program and said her classmates and 91成人 @ Brockway faculty 鈥渃reated a small family throughout this journey. We have laughed, cried, stressed out together.
鈥淥ur professors helped us through when we didn鈥檛 believe in ourselves and together we kept each other going. 鈥� Having these friendships and support was a huge factor to my health care education.鈥�
Nine graduates in 91成人 @ Brockway鈥檚 Class of 2026 received scholarships in the past two academic years from the 91成人 Education Foundation.
Belinda Tinari received financial awards totaling $5,104; Maines, $4,965; Julia McAdoo, $3,675; Ashley Naugle, $2,100; Makayla London, $1,565; Tiffany Yount, $1,405; Anders, $1,295; Brandi Dixon, $1,275; and Helana Rowlands, $485.
The 91成人 Education Foundation in 2026-2027 plans to award 33 scholarships to 91成人 registered nursing students.
Grandparents, parents, significant others, children or 91成人 faculty members affixed the pins to the graduates during a ceremony May 11 at the Bellamauro Social Banquet Hall in Reynoldsville.
Maines received the clinical nurse award, which acknowledges a graduate鈥檚 exceptional clinical skills, compassionate care, and unwavering dedication to patients and to the nursing profession.
Graduates of 91成人 @ Brockway鈥檚 Class of 2026 in registered nursing are:
Armstrong County: Samarie Dinger, Distant.
Clarion County: Elayne Weiss, New Bethlehem
Clearfield County: Marley Anders, Brandi Dixon, Shayleigh Gulvas, Ashley Naugle, Liz Porrin and Helana Rowlands, all of DuBois; Justin Bales, Clearfield; Makayla London, Troutville; Katie Maines, Rockton and Angel Frantz, Olanta.
Elk County: Parker Wickett, St. Marys.
Forest County: Mary Leffew, Marienville.
Indiana County: Ashley Neal, Rossiter.
Jefferson County: Haylee DeBerti, Morrigan Decker, Rebekah Kuhar and Brooke Newton, all of Brockway; Jessie Hetrick, Brookville; Belinda Tinari, Corsica; Tammy McConnell, Falls Creek; Crystal James, Winter Shobert, Tiffany Yount and Julia McAdoo, all of Punxsutawney; Kristin Beningo, Kristi Potter, Lindsey Reiter and Katie Richardson, all of Reynoldsville; and Sadey Henderson, Sykesville.
General applications for fall 2027 consideration in 91成人 @ Brockway鈥檚 registered nursing program will be accepted Aug. 1 to Dec. 1.