About this role
Join ST Health Altoona in Shaping the Future of Nursing Education!
The ST Health Mercy School of Nursing at ST Health Altoona is seeking a dynamic Student Support & Retention Nurse Specialist to champion student success and shape an exceptional learning experience for future nurses. This role is central to fostering a culture of excellence, inclusion, and academic achievement across the student journey, from pre-enrollment through graduation.
This is an excellent opportunity for a nurse educator who is passionate about student development, academic support, and building a positive, supportive learning environment. Strong mentorship from experienced ST Health Schools of Nursing faculty and administrators is built into the role, sharing best practices and developing systemwide strategies that support student retention and success.
Why Join ST Health Schools of Nursing?
This role offers the chance to make a meaningful impact on the next generation of nurses while working in a supportive, mission-driven academic environment. You’ll help shape student success, influence program development, and collaborate with a dedicated team committed to excellence in nursing education.
Responsibilities:
Student Support & Retention
- Develop, implement, and evaluate evidence-based student support models that enhance retention, engagement, and academic success.
- Provide individualized academic support, including study skills, test-taking strategies, critical thinking development, and time management coaching.
- Identify at-risk students early using learning assessment tools and coordinate targeted support plans.
- Offer non-academic support in partnership with Life Solutions to address holistic student needs.
- Design strategies to support students re-entering the program after a break in enrollment and coordinate readmission processes.
Program Development & Evaluation
- Lead initiatives to improve student onboarding, orientation, and ongoing engagement.
- Analyze student outcome data, satisfaction metrics, and retention trends to inform strategic action plans.
- Assist with program evaluation and continuous quality improvement efforts across the Schools of Nursing.
- Develop and maintain student policies and oversee the annual Student Handbook review and publication.
Faculty Collaboration & Development
- Mentor faculty in academic support strategies, student engagement, and best practices in nursing education.
- Provide workshops for faculty and students.
- Support faculty in developing resources for diverse learners and in implementing curriculum revisions.
- Serve as a role model for continuous learning and professional development.
Leadership & Committee Involvement
- Serve on faculty senate, student support services committees, and other groups focused on student success.
- Provide monthly updates to executive leadership and meet regularly with School of Nursing Directors.
- Coordinate multi-campus initiatives, academic support meetings, and quality improvement processes.
Student Experience & Community Engagement
- Create a welcoming, inclusive learning environment that supports student socialization into the nursing profession.
- Plan student events and opportunities to explore the local community.
- Act as SNAP advisor and support SNAP chapter activities.
- Master’s degree or doctorate in Nursing or a related field required.
- If Master’s in a related field, BSN is required.
- 4 years of nursing experience required.
- 2 years of teaching or closely related experience required.
- Prior experience advising nursing students, and student services preferred.
- Experience in academic support or academic counseling preferred.
- Must possess outstanding communication skills.
- Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office products required.
Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:
- Current licensure as a Registered Professional Nurse
- CPR required based on AHA standards that include both a didactic and skills demonstration component within 30 days of hire.
- Act 33 with renewal
- Act 34 with renewal
- Act 73 FBI Clearance with renewal
ST Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran
Pay range
$30.16–$52.18 / hr
Set by education and experience. Shift differentials are paid on top.
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}pepper2.socialhost.dev › job › 23362094 › student-support-retention-nurse-specialist
Student Support & Retention Nurse Specialist — Altoona, PA | Pepper Health (Library Build)
Student Support & Retention Nurse Specialist at Pepper Health, Altoona. See the pay range, the schedule, and your recruiter’s name before you apply.
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type: 'JobPosting'
title: 'Student Support & Retention Nurse Specialist'
url: 'https://pepper2.socialhost.dev/job/23362094/student-support-retention-nurse-specialist/'
job_id: '23362094'
organization: 'SFX Demo'
location: 'Altoona, PA'
employment_type: 'Full-Time'
date_posted: '2026-02-23T17:45:16.53Z'
date_modified: '2026-05-18T09:14:21.11Z'
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# Student Support & Retention Nurse Specialist
- Location: Altoona, PA (On-site)
- Employment type: Full-Time
- Category: Human Resources
- Shift: Day Job
- Business unit: ST Health Altoona
- Pay: $30.16–$52.18 / hr
- Organization: SFX Demo
- Posted: 2026-02-23T17:45:16.53Z
## Description
**Join ST Health Altoona in Shaping the Future of Nursing Education!**
The ST Health Mercy School of Nursing at ST Health Altoona is seeking a dynamic Student Support & Retention Nurse Specialist to champion student success and shape an exceptional learning experience for future nurses. This role is central to fostering a culture of excellence, inclusion, and academic achievement across the student journey, from pre-enrollment through graduation.
…Shift and schedule
Shift
Day Job
Hours
Full-Time
Workplace
On-site
Where you’ll work
Altoona, PA
A close-knit central-PA community in the Allegheny foothills, home to our Altoona hospital and a growing surgical program — where nurses know their patients by name and the mountains are twenty minutes away.
- Pepper Health Altoona
- Altoona Surgical Pavilion
Benefits
Benefits from day one
Day-one health coverage
Medical, dental and vision start your first day — no waiting period, full- and part-time.
Tuition & certifications
Up to $5,250/yr tuition support plus paid certification renewals and exam fees.
Retirement with match
403(b) with employer match and immediate vesting on your contributions.
PTO & wellbeing days
Generous paid time off, paid parental leave, and dedicated wellbeing days.
Ladders & residencies
Nurse residency, allied apprenticeships, and defined advancement ladders in every area.
Family support
Childcare discounts, caregiver leave, and flexible scheduling that respects your life.
Stories
From people in this role

The fellowship paired me with preceptors who had decades on the unit. A year in, I was confident taking the sickest patients on the floor.
Career progression
Where this role can lead
New-grad RN / Residency
Staff RN — specialty certified
Charge / Clinical Resource RN
Nurse Manager or CNS / NP track
Director of Nursing
FAQ
Questions people ask about this role
About this roleCan I cross-train into other modalities?
Yes — cross-training is how most of our imaging and lab teams grow. Your manager builds it into your development plan.
About this roleDo you support continuing education?
Up to $5,250/yr in tuition support plus paid certification fees — many of our techs are in degree programs while working.
About this roleIs there a path from entry roles to clinical careers?
Our patient-care-support roles feed directly into nursing and allied pipelines, with tuition support and schedules that flex around school.
About this roleWhat does advancement look like?
Defined ladders — tech → senior → lead → supervisor — with transparent criteria and pay steps published for every level.
Application process
What happens after you apply
Apply
Two minutes with Apply Start — resume autofill does the rest.
Recruiter screen
A real person reviews every application and reaches out.
Interviews
Meet your manager and the team — virtual or on-site, your pick.
Offer
Transparent pay, benefits walkthrough, and time to decide.
Welcome
Paid onboarding, a peer buddy, and your 90-day growth plan.
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