Commissioners honor school of nursing

In 125 years, the Joseph F. McCloskey School of Nursing has educated nearly 2,500 graduates, who became licensed registered nurses. In fact, the school licensure examination pass rate averages well over 90 percent.

During a meeting Wednesday, the Schuylkill County Commissioners issued a proclamation honoring the school, calling it one of the county’s historic educational institutions.

“Our educational system here in the county is second to none,” Chairman George Halcovage said.

Commissioner Gary Hess that the nurses have a challenging job and perform an import role. Hess’s daughter-in-law is a graduate of the school.

“Sometimes it’s not an easy job, and it’s a very important job in health care,” Hess said. “Having the school helps keep our young people here.”

It wasn’t always called the Joseph F. McCloskey School of Nursing.

In 1895, it began as the Pottsville Hospital Training School for Nurses. The name changed to the Pottsville Hospital School of Nursing and then to Schuylkill Health School of Nursing.

In 2012, the name changed to honor Honorable Judge Joseph F. McCloskey, a longtime chairman of the board and school supporter. McCloskey attended the meeting, along with Lehigh Valley Health Network officials and a cadre of registered nurses.

The school is located at the intersection of Washington and Jackson streets, in Pottsville. A commuter school, it offers a full-time, three-year program. There are 80 hours of coursework with 900 hours of concurrent clinical practice, in local and area hospitals.

The school plans a graduate reunion and anniversary celebration on May 30 at St. Nicholas Hall, in Pottsville.