Nursing at West Penn Hospital

Welcome to the "Nursing at West Penn" website, created by nurses at West Penn Hospital to describe excellence in patient care and service and to highlight professional development opportunities and professional achievements of our nurses.

West Penn Hospital is the first in the region to achieve Magnet^® designation for nursing excellence from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (2006) and the first regionally to be redesignated Magnet^® (2012 and 2017).

For more information:

• About Nursing at West Penn 
• Professional Development Opportunities (clinical ladder, education and research)

For more information:

Mary Ann Raible, MSN, RN, Magnet Program Director

About nursing at West Penn

Nurses at West Penn Hospital take pride in providing the highest-quality, patient-focused care in state-of-the-art facilities. We work closely with physicians and other staff to help each patient/family achieve their optimal health goals. We seek to advance professionally and contribute to the health of our communities near and far.

Nursing practice at West Penn Hospital is based upon the foundations of Relationship Based Care, focusing on three relationships: the relationship with ourselves, with patients and families and with our colleagues. In this care delivery model the RN is the primary coordinator of the patients care. He/She partners with other members of the healthcare team to meet the needs of the patient. The therapeutic relationship that as caregivers we develop with the patients who seek our care is the foundation of Relationship Based Care. When we develop and purposefully execute these relationships, we will see the impact not only on the quality outcomes of our patients, but in employee engagement, patient experience and the culture of our organization.​

The Professional Practice Model, or driving force of nursing, focuses on placing the patient, family and community at the center of all we do. The model aligns with the mission, vision and values of AHN to achieve positive outcomes through meaningful recognition, shared decision-making and the principles of the ANCC’s Magnet Recognition Program^®. 

Nurses are valued for their dedication and commitment to best practices and for their contributions to quality patient care outcomes. Nurses are supported with resources, educational opportunities, and career advancement opportunities, and they are recognized as integral decision-makers with the ability to impact patient care. The nursing management team supports and believes that coaching, mentoring, and professional development opportunities are integral components of leadership and that the nursing leadership team should be visible and accessible and encourage open communication and collaborative working relationships with all nurses at all levels.

Nurses at West Penn Hospital practice

• within the scope of the Pennsylvania Nurse Practice Act and other regulatory constraints (e.g. The Joint Commission)
• within the health system’s and West Penn Hospital’s mission, vision, values, and organizational structures and
• according to the Nursing Division’s:
  • Mission, Values and Beliefs,
  • Organizational Structure,
  • Shared Governance Model (Management Approach, Professional Relationships, and Professional Development and Achievements),
  • Professional Practice Model, and
  • Care Delivery Systems
    

Professional development opportunities

Professional development opportunities for West Penn Hospital nurses include:

• Professional Recognition Program (mentored staff nurse clinical ladder program)
• Certification/Recertification in national nursing specialty (exam fee reimbursement and other support)
• Academic advancement (tuition reimbursement, Hazel Gearhart RN-to-BSN Scholarship)
• Professional conference participation (assistance with fees, poster preparation)