Jersey Shore, PA (September 15, 2008) - Hands-on experience in one's chosen field of study has the ability to provide valuable lessons that can only be learned outside the classroom. And for nine Pennsylvania College of Technology (Penn Tech) students, Jersey Shore Hospital is providing such an opportunity.

Tonja Pennycoff, a nursing instructor at Penn Tech, along with nine junior-level nursing students, frequent the hospital on Thursdays and Fridays of each week, learning the ins and outs of real-world nursing.

According to Pennycoff, the students are working toward their Bachelor of Science degree in nursing. With seven students in the Jersey Shore Hospital and two students in the Operating Room at Geisinger in Danville, the students are able to alternate locations, ultimately enhancing their knowledge in the field.

The students' jobs range from giving shots to patients, doing physical assessments, hanging IV solutions, administering patient medicine and pills, to completing patient paperwork.

"It's a very rewarding program," said Chelsea Mantle, a Penn Tech nursing student at Jersey Shore Hospital. "It's such hard work, but overall you feel really good about yourself." Mantle grew up in the Jersey Shore area, which she says makes this experience very special to her. "I know a lot of people here, so I really feel at home."

Classmate Lorelei Wheeler agreed.

"I love the interaction we get with the patients," she said. "Because it's a rural hospital, everyone knows you. And one of the reasons I chose this field was because the world will always need nurses."

For Pennycoff, watching and instructing the nursing students is a lot like remembering her own time in school.

"I actually did my clinicals here (at Jersey Shore Hospital) from Lycoming College," she said. "I also work here as an RN supervisor, so it's definitely a home for me."

Pennycoff and the other nursing students also say that they feel like they're becoming a part of history, as they watched Jersey Shore Hospital's brand new 45,000-square foot facility open its doors at the beginning of this month.

"It's definitely a great feeling to be a part of something like this," said Mantle.

Jersey Shore Hospital is a rural community hospital located in Jersey Shore, Pa, serving residents of Lycoming, Clinton and surrounding counties. Its mission is to provide quality health services with an efficient balance of outpatient care, acute and sub-acute inpatient care, primary care and outreach services. For more information, please visit www.jsh.org.