The Venango Technology Center (VTC)’s licensed practical nurse (LPN) program will be moving to Montgomery Hall on the Venango Campus, which is now managed by the Oil Region Alliance (ORA).

VTC’s LPN program has campuses in Venango and Warren counties and serves adult students of all surrounding counties. The ideal class size is 32 adult students per campus. The program is offered in a hybrid format with in-person classes 3-4 times per week with some additional virtual learning, according to Cornelius.

“The excellent simulation program run by Dr. Julie Cartney will now be held in Montgomery Hall,” said Cornelius. “It will include a dedicated state-of-the-art simulation laboratory as well as a clinical lab and practice lab on site.”

The LPN program is fully approved by the State Board of Nursing and licensed to operate in the Commonwealth of PA. It is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. The program has also had a 100% job placement rate for many years, according to Cornelius.

“The ORA is committed to nurturing a talented healthcare workforce to meet the needs of employers in our healthcare cluster, and LPNs play a vital role,” Sobina said.

The ORA is in the process of developing a plan for the Venango Campus that will retain its commitment to education and the Oil Region’s high quality of life through partnerships with various entities.

“The advisory board including Mario [Fontanazza, Jr., Director of VTC] and myself are working collaboratively to turn Penn West’s closure into an opportunity to grow programs of the Venango Technology Center,” said John R. Phillips, II, ORA President and CEO.

In addition to Dr. Cartney and Dr. Cornelius, VTC LPN staff members include instructors Alyssa Seigworth and Kelly Weaver and Administrative Assistant Danielle Frantz.

This article was published in the Venango Chamber’s August 2024 VenangoWorks! Newsletter.