One of the primary reasons Penn State is recognized around the globe as a distinguished university is the sterling caliber of its faculty. As a World Campus student, you will learn from the same instructors who teach face-to-face classes on Penn State's 24 traditional campuses.

Among the instructors of the core courses in the RN to B.S. in nursing program are the following faculty members:

Jo Anne Carrick, DEd, RN, CEN, CNE

Dr. Carrick is a senior instructor in nursing and the nursing program coordinator at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College. She has been a member of the University faculty for more than twenty years. She earned her diploma in nursing at Saint Francis Hospital School of Nursing and bachelor of science degree in nursing at Penn State. She went on to earn a master of science degree in nursing from the University of Pittsburgh and a doctorate degree in administration and leadership studies in higher education at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Carrick has held leadership positions in nursing in both acute care settings and within Penn State. She is responsible for overseeing the nursing management certificate course development and is the course developer for NURS 433 seminars for nurse managers. She has also developed the fully-online nursing courses for Penn State School of Nursing for the World Campus.

To reach Dr. Carrick, contact:

140 OBS, 4701
College Drive
Erie PA 16563
Phone: 814-898-7583
E-mail: jam39@psu.edu

Nedra Farcus, MSN, RN

Ms. Farcus is an instructor in nursing at Penn State Altoona. Her areas of expertise include nursing informatics, electronic learning activities, communication, and aging.

Teaching Experience

1997–present: Instructor, RN to B.S. in Nursing, Penn State Altoona; 1995–97: Division Chair, Health Studies; 1984–97: Division Chair and Associate Professor, Nursing, Mount Aloysius College; 1981–84: Assistant Professor, Nursing, Saint Francis College; 1981–82: Acting Chair and Assistant Professor, Nursing, Saint Francis College; 1980–81: Assistant Professor, Nursing, Mount Aloysius Junior College; 1975–80: Instructor, Indiana Hospital School of Nursing

Clinical Experience

1970–82: staff and charge nurse activities, medical surgical nursing, recovery room nursing, outpatient surgery and relief emergency department, and intensive care unit, Indiana Hospital; 1978–81: Group Counselor and Crisis Intervention Counselor, Parents Anonymous

Lisa A. Firestine, MSN

Ms. Firestine is an instructor of nursing for Penn State World Campus. She earned a bachelor of science in nursing at the University of Michigan and a master's in nursing with a critical care specialty from Indiana University. Her thesis focused on the relationship between perceived threat, coping, and coping effectiveness of individuals with coronary artery disease. She has taught courses in medical-surgical nursing and nursing informatics as well as critical care nursing.

Teaching Experience

2008–present: Nursing Instructor, Penn State World Campus; 1996–2000: Nursing Instructor, Penn State University Park campus; 1994–1996: Nursing Instructor, Purdue University

Clinical Experience

2007–present: Skilled home care, Livonia, MI; 1996–1998: Staff nurse, Critical Care Registered Nursing, Inc., Williamsport, PA; 1990–1995: Staff nurse, Lafayette Home Hospital, Lafayette, IN

Kathleen Mastrian, PhD, RN

Dr. Mastrian is an associate professor and the campus coordinator of nursing at Penn State Shenango. Her areas of expertise include nursing informatics, ethical challenges in health care informatics, the RN transition to a B.S. in nursing, social problems, and technology-mediated instruction.

Teaching Experience

1999–present: Coordinator of Freshman Sociology Seminar, and Program Coordinator and Associate Professor of Nursing, Penn State Shenango; 2001–03: Interim Director of Academic Affairs, Penn State Shenango; 1997–99: Division Head of Nursing for Penn State's Commonwealth College, and Program Coordinator and Assistant Professor of Nursing, Penn State Shenango; 1993–97: Program Coordinator and Assistant Professor of Nursing, Penn State Shenango; 1979–93: Nursing Instructor, Penn State Shenango

Clinical Experience

1978–79: Medical/Surgical Clinical Specialist, St. Elizabeth Hospital Medical Center, Youngstown, Ohio; 1976–78: Staff Development Instructor, St. Elizabeth Hospital Medical Center; 1975–76: part-time Clinical Instructor, Pittsburgh Laboratories for Nursing Students; 1974–75: part-time Instructor in Media and Practice, Duquesne University; 1973–74: Staff Nurse, Sharon General Hospital

Melissa Miner, MSN, RN, CS

Ms. Miner is an instructor in nursing at Penn State Fayette. Her areas of expertise include medical-surgical nursing, complementary/alternative therapies, service learning, and active learning of the adult student.

Teaching Experience

1994–present: Nursing Instructor, Penn State Fayette; 1990–94: Nursing Instructor, Uniontown Hospital School of Nursing

Clinical Experience

1990–93: Supervisor, Uniontown Hospital; 1988–90: Staff Nurse, Uniontown Hospital; 1987–88: Staff Nurse, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh

Dee McGonigle, PhD, RN, FACCE

Dr. McGonigle is an associate professor of nursing and information sciences and technology at Penn State New Kensington. Her areas of expertise include nursing informatics, community health, nursing research, and women's health.

Teaching Experience

1999–present: tenured, Associate Professor of Nursing, Penn State School of Nursing, and faculty member in information sciences and technology; 1996–present: Editor-in-Chief of the Online Journal of Nursing Informatics; 1996–99: Associate Professor of Nursing, Penn State School of Nursing; 1988–95: Assistant Professor of Nursing, Penn State School of Nursing; 1985–88: Nursing Instructor, Penn State School of Nursing; 1984–86: Nursing Instructor, University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing; 1982–84: Assistant Professor of Nursing, Community College of Allegheny County; 1978–80: Director of the Medical Assistant Program at the Sawyer School; 1978: Nursing Instructor, Community College of Beaver County; 1977: Nursing Instructor, Community College of Allegheny County

Clinical Experience

1995–99: flextime Perinatal Nurse and Educator in the Maternal/Infant Program at Forbes Regional Hospital; 1992–95: Consultant and Independent Contractor in the Maternal/Infant Program at Forbes Regional Hospital; 1990–92: Perinatal Staff Nurse in the Healthy Beginnings and Maternal/Infant programs with the Visiting Nurse Association; 1980–81: Acting Nursing Director and Recruiter at Nursing Services, Inc.; 1976–77: Charge Nurse at Oakmont Residence; 1975–76: ICU Staff Nurse at Presbyterian University Hospital

Patricia Sweeney, MS, CRNP, APRN, BC

Ms. Sweeney is an instructor in nursing at Penn State Worthington Scranton. Her areas of expertise include adult health, critical care, and advanced practice.

Teaching Experience

1999–present: Instructor in RN to BS in Nursing, Penn State Worthington Scranton; 1992–99: Instructor AD in Nursing, Penn State Worthington Scranton; 1986–92: Instructor, Community Medical Center School of Nursing

Clinical Experience

1999–present: Nurse Practitioner, Fast Track Emergency Department; 1985–present: ACLS instructor; 1987–99: Nurse Practitioner in private practice; 1980–86: Staff Nurse in an emergency department