POTSDAM, NY – As colleges and schools are back in session, the first class of students at the Isabella Graham Hart School (IGH) of Practical Nursing has also started. The School is offered through Rochester Regional Health (RRH), the parent organization of St. Lawrence Health (SLH).
The class of 10 began their studies during the first week of August 2022 at the School located in Old Snell Hall, Elm Street, Potsdam; they will graduate in June 2023. The majority of the students are currently employees of SLH who are looking to expand upon their career within the organization.
The School has been preparing nursing students to enter the healthcare field for over 50 years, and enables and encourages individuals to continue on to higher education in order to provide the best care for the local communities. Historically, the majority of students graduating from the program have been hired into the RRH system.
RRH President of College Health Careers/Isabella Graham Hart School of Practical Nursing Dr. Victoria Record noted Potsdam was selected as a site for the School to better provide educational opportunity and workforce development in the area.
“It is very important to meet the needs of the rural community and to address the nursing shortage, and bringing the School to Potsdam does just that,” she said.
SLH Director of the Third Floor Medical/Surgical Unit, and Observation Services Austie Claxton stated, “I can personally attest that SLH supports the growth of its staff through many different vectors, and the IGH School of Nursing is a perfect addition.”
She pointed out the School allows current employees to grow within St. Lawrence Health with ease and the assistance of learning from familiar faculty.
“As SLH continues to grow and offer new specialty services, we will need our employees to grow with us. Having the IGH School of Nursing within our system makes it almost effortless for our staff to make the decision to return to school,” Ms. Claxton added.
The 10-month IGH program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, and continues to evolve with new technology to ensure students are learning the most current methods of care.
Upon graduation, students will be eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination in Practical Nursing (NCLEX PN) exam. Once the test is passed, they will go through the New York State Education Department review process for licensure, when they will be granted their Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) credentials. For LPNs who wish to advance their careers as Registered Nurses, the Rochester Regional Health College of Health offers an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) program fully accredited by the New York State Department of Education.
The Isabella Graham Hart School of Practical Nursing:
The next class is expected to begin in January 2023 and applications are currently being accepted. For more information and to apply, visit https://stlawrencehealthsystem.org/education/igh.