Coatesville, PA – National fellow Patricia Knecht knew she wanted to be a nurse from the time she was a little girl. She grew up reading the Cherry Ames nursing mystery book series that depicted nursing in various settings which would only be the start of her journey in the nursing field. Today she is the director of practical nursing at the Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU). Recently, she achieved one of the nursing professions highest honors: Knecht was inducted into the third class of fellows of the National Academy of Nursing Education by the National League for Nursing (NLN).
According to the NLN, the Academy of Nursing Education was established with the intention of recognizing contributions made by nursing educators to the field and fostering excellence in nursing education. Patricia Knecht has no shortage of contributions to nursing education and no shortage of passion for the field as well.
“Patty is incredibly dedicated, and not to mention well-respected in the field, which provides inspiration to those in the nursing field,” said Alan Slobojan, Ed.D., director of Career, Technical and Customized Education for the CCIU. “She is vibrantly creative and provides unparalleled leadership in nursing education.”
“Nursing has been more than a job and a career but instead a personal journey,” said Knecht. “The people I have cared for and taught over the years have created new passions and spurred new ideas.”
Knecht has been involved with the CCIU’s practical nursing program for over twenty-one years, eleven of those years as the program director. According to Dr. Slobojan, during this time, she has done a fantastic job in refining the program and bringing it up-to-date to meet the needs of the nursing world in the current times. She has also created yet another branch of the nursing program which, thanks to Knecht’s contributions, has also seen the start of evening and part-time versions of the program.
Identifying the necessity of grant funding, Knecht works meticulously to ensure that nursing education programs receive their fair share of funding. For example, successful advocacy work resulted in Pennsylvania Center for Health Careers obtaining more than 9.5 million dollars in funding for over fifty nursing education institutions of all program types in an effort to increase the number of nursing school graduates.
“It’s extremely important to ensure that nursing programs of all types receive adequate funding in order to keep career pathways easily identifiable and accessible,” said Knecht. “There needs to be as many entry points into the field as possible to give those interested in the field a reasonable opportunity. This is even more critical at the present moment due to the nursing shortage our country is facing.”
Leadership roles and the formation of partnerships are two other ways that Knecht is making an impact on the nursing world. Knecht has held various leadership positions including co-chair of the Leadership Council for the Pennsylvania Center for Health Careers and president of the Pennsylvania Association of Practical Nursing Administrators (PAPNA).
Many of the leadership roles have translated into partnerships that have assisted those involved with nursing in joining forces to propose and enact policy and regulations related to nursing such as the broadening of Registered Nurse (RN) faculty requirements and the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) role in intravenous administration. Other partnerships she has formed have led to opportunities for nursing students with regards to their clinical experiences. “She actively and successfully seeks out new partnerships to better the opportunities presented to aspiring nurses,” according to Dr. Slobojan.
“Working in nursing education, and particularly practical nursing education, creates the opportunity to mentor students along their nursing career path, while providing opportunities for these community members to achieve academic success and self sustaining careers where they will give back to their own communities as the nursing workforce of tomorrow,” said Knecht.
Knecht believes that people must be involved as stakeholders in the things for which they have a passion. The fellowship is yet another way in which she is becoming a stakeholder in nursing education. “As a fellow, it is my responsibility to provide visionary leadership and make ongoing contributions to the world of nursing education,” said Knecht.
“This is a well-deserved recognition,” said Dr. Slobojan. “I know Patty will continue to look for solutions to the problems facing nursing education and the field of nursing in general. If there’s a way to get something done, Patty will find it.”
Along with the previously mentioned achievements, Knecht has also served as a member of many advisory and committee boards; participated in a number of speaking engagements; created the first simulation lab in the County; founded the Chester County Health Care Task Force; and, has been the recipient of various awards, among many other accomplishments.
The Academy of Nursing Education fellow induction ceremony took place during the NLN’s annual Education Summit held this year in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Knecht and twenty other newly inducted fellows join sixty-five previously announced fellows in the highly competitive recognition that includes a rigorous application and selection process.
Photo Caption: Patricia Knecht is the director of practical nursing at the Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU), with her most recent accomplishment being her induction into the third class of fellows for the National League for Nursing’s (NLN) Academy of Nursing Education. Pictured is Knecht among students in the Practical Nursing Program.
Stacy Ososkie
Communications Specialist
Chester County Intermediate Unit
455 Boot Road, Downingtown, PA 19335
Phone: 484-237-5338
Fax: 484-237-5164
E-mail: stacyo@cciu.org
