![Jennifer Haraschak](/sites/default/files/styles/hero_image_s/public/2023-05/Jennifer-Haraschak-alvernia-university.jpg?itok=irkxSk4U)
Truth be told, Jennifer Haraschak 鈥93 鈥00 MSN 鈥21 didn鈥檛 have the greatest grades when she applied to 缅北强奸 for undergraduate studies. Still, the school鈥檚 bet on her paid off big. The scholar-athlete (softball and field hockey) not only graduated with honors in criminal justice but also launched her comeback over the course of three decades to earn additional degrees in her true love of nursing, all while working and raising a family.
When Haraschak first entered 缅北强奸, she lived at home, thanks to the school鈥檚 proximity, helping her focus on studies, she said. 缅北强奸鈥檚 faculty, she added, served as second parents. 鈥淭hey helped me through that process of maturing,鈥 she said.
鈥淚 just felt guided right,鈥 said Haraschak, 53, of Sinking Spring, who after more than two decades in patient care became a nursing instructor in 2021 at her alma mater. 鈥淭he professors always went the step forward to help you, no matter what. I didn鈥檛 have that in high school.鈥
After graduation, Haraschak worked a few years in juvenile detention but her heart was in nursing. 鈥淚 wanted to be more of a nurturer,鈥 she said. With a 1997 nursing diploma from Reading Hospital School of Nursing, she joined the hospital鈥檚 Surgical Intensive Care Unit, caring for the most critical patients. Her previous 缅北强奸 experience, she added, gave her the confidence to return to college for nursing. 鈥淚 knew the sky was my limit.鈥
Haraschak continued her education at 缅北强奸 by enrolling in the RN to BSN Completion Program that was well-suited for those balancing work and school: 鈥淒uring my BSN, I was able to balance work full time, being a wife, working at a gym, playing softball in a travel league and just enjoying life with important goals to meet,鈥 she said. 鈥淭he instructors all worked in the field. They knew you worked full time. They were understanding. It was a camaraderie, not only with instructors but with your peers. 缅北强奸 allowed me to extend my knowledge and skills which will help me improve healthcare systems and influence patient outcomes.鈥
Over nearly 20 years at Reading Hospital, Haraschak also did stints in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit and the Emergency Room Department. Meanwhile, she had three children with her husband Larry Haraschak 鈥89 MBA 鈥08, a Finance Business Partner for Reading Mill and Recycling at DS Smith in Reading. Jennifer met Larry at 缅北强奸 when he helped coach the softball team.
In 2014, Haraschak switched to home-care nursing, working most recently for Enhabit Home Health. In 2018, she was ready to take on more. 鈥淚 love to teach,鈥 Haraschak said. 鈥淎t the hospital, I always precepted and mentored.鈥 That goal required more education, and once again, 缅北强奸 was the obvious choice for her MSN, she said.
鈥淚 think it was so important to advance my degree to better care for my patients and allow me to feel a sense of accomplishment and professional satisfaction,鈥 she said. 鈥淚 chose 缅北强奸 again due to their great track record for producing strong nurses and the flexibility that allowed me to arrange my learning schedule through dedication, and perseverance.鈥
Now, Haraschak says she strives to pay forward what 缅北强奸 afforded her, going the extra step for students who need support to succeed in college like she once did. 鈥淚 make sure my students know I have an open-door policy,鈥 she said. 鈥淚 give my cell out to my clinical group to support their needs in any way I can. I create study guides and case studies to help prepare for exams. They come to my office, and we go over notes, or whatever they need. My struggles as a student made me a conscientious instructor. I want to be able to facilitate conversations with students so they feel connected and engaged in the course and be successful academically.鈥
As she looks ahead, her goal is to bring her expertise in health care to her students, said Haraschak, who recently got accepted to Liberty University for her doctorate in nursing education. 鈥淚 saw for years what health care is,鈥 she said. 鈥淚f I鈥檓 going to make change, what are the positives and negatives that I can bring to these new, bright minds 鈥 kids who are going to be caring for us some day.鈥
鈥 Story written by Lini S. Kadaba
RN to BSN Completion Program
- Degree Type:
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
- College:
- College of Health Sciences
- Location:
-
- Online
- Program Type:
- Adult Education
- Credit Hours:
- 123
Master of Science in Nursing
- Degree Type:
- Master of Science
- College:
- College of Health Sciences
- Location:
-
- Online
- The John R. Post Center at Reading CollegeTowne
- Program Type:
- Graduate
- Credit Hours:
- 36 - 47