AHN Citizens School of Nursing to Open New Satellite Campus in Erie, Launch New Part-Time Nursing Degree Program

Against the backdrop of national nursing shortage, the new part-time RN program at AHN Saint Vincent will seat its first class in January

ERIE, Pa. (Oct. 7, 2026) - AHN Saint Vincent Hospital and AHN Citizens School of Nursing today announced the opening of a new satellite campus in Erie and the launch of a part-time registered nurse (RN) education program, starting in 2027. The inaugural class of 24 students will begin instruction on the hospital's campus in January. It will be the only hospital-based, part-time nursing program in the region.

The innovative three-year program seeks to expand access to nursing education in the Erie region while helping address the growing demand for skilled healthcare professionals.

Designed for working adults, parents, caregivers and other nontraditional students, the flexible pathway reflects AHN's commitment to strengthening the local workforce by creating educational opportunities that accommodate the schedules of today's learners.

Students will learn alongside experienced nurses and dedicated healthcare professionals in an onsite classroom at the hospital, connect with other AHN educators across the system through virtual instruction, and gain hands-on clinical and laboratory experience, including training in the hospital's new STAR Center North simulation lab, which is expected to open later this year.

"At AHN Saint Vincent, we are deeply committed to serving our community and investing in the next generation of nurses," said Jill M. Muir, DNP, RN, NE-BC, CCM, chief nursing officer, AHN Saint Vincent Hospital. "We recognize that many individuals feel called to nursing, but need a pathway that fits the realities of their lives. This new program allows students to pursue their dream of becoming a registered nurse while continuing to work, care for their families, and remain connected to their communities."

Hospital-affiliated diploma programs such as the one offered by Citizens can offer a faster path to professional practice than most four-year college programs, allowing students to enter the workforce more quickly, said Ashley M. Carlucci, DNP, Chief Nurse Executive, AHN.

"Pennsylvania is projected to have a shortfall of more than 20,000 nurses by year's end," said Carlucci "This new educational program is addressing that shortage - it is a strategic investment in not only aspiring caregivers in the region, but in the health and wellbeing of the Erie community."

While the Erie campus is new, Citizens School of Nursing dates to 1913 and is one of Western Pennsylvania's oldest and most respected nursing schools. AHN also operates the West Penn Hospital School of Nursing, which has trained nurses in the Pittsburgh region for generations.

Both schools boasted a 93% National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) pass rate in 2025, above state and national average. Additionally, 98% of graduates from the class of 2025 obtained a position in a healthcare setting within one year of graduation, many within the AHN system.

Through its recent affiliation with Heritage Valley Health System, AHN recently added a third nursing school to its growing network of educational programs. Applications are currently open for the next cohort, which will begin in June 2027.

Those interested in learning more about nursing education at AHN should visit https://www.ahn.org/health-care-professionals/education/nursing.