Skip to content

Human Resources

Student Support & Retention Nurse Specialist

  • AltoonaPA
  • Full-Time
  • On-site
  • Day Job

PostedFebruary 23, 2026

Pay$30.16–$52.18 / hr

Apply nowSave job

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.

Your recruiter

Alex Morgan

Senior Nurse Recruiter · 8 yrs at Pepper

Start your application

About two minutes. Leave your name and email; we send a link that keeps your place for 14 days.

Terms of usePrivacy notice

Prefer the full form?Apply on the full form

What search engines and AI agents see

Read from this page, not described
Structured data (JSON-LD)
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@type": "JobPosting",
    "title": "Student Support & Retention Nurse Specialist",
    "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.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 & RetentionDevelop, 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 & EvaluationLead 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 & DevelopmentMentor 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 InvolvementServe 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 EngagementCreate 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 renewalAct 34 with renewalAct 73 FBI Clearance with renewalST Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran",
    "identifier": {
        "@type": "PropertyValue",
        "name": "Pepper Health",
        "value": "23362094"
    },
    "datePosted": "2026-02-23",
    "employmentType": "FULL_TIME",
    "hiringOrganization": {
        "@type": "Organization",
        "@id": "https://pepper2.socialhost.dev/#organization",
        "name": "Pepper Health",
        "sameAs": "https://pepper2.socialhost.dev/"
    },
    "jobLocation": {
        "@type": "Place",
        "address": {
            "@type": "PostalAddress",
            "addressLocality": "Altoona",
            "addressRegion": "PA",
            "addressCountry": "US"
        }
    },
    "url": "https://pepper2.socialhost.dev/job/23362094/student-support-retention-nurse-specialist/",
    "directApply": true,
    "validThrough": "2026-12-11",
    "workHours": "Day Job shift",
    "baseSalary": {
        "@type": "MonetaryAmount",
        "currency": "USD",
        "value": {
            "@type": "QuantitativeValue",
            "minValue": 30.16,
            "maxValue": 52.18,
            "unitText": "HOUR"
        }
    }
}
Search result card

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.

Agent text (?mb_render=md)
---
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'
---

# 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.
…

The full Markdown agents read

A day in the role

Life at Pepper Health

  • Captions
  • Transcript
  • Audio-described

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.

About working in Altoona
  • 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

Rosa M., Surgical Trauma RN

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.

Rosa M.Surgical Trauma RN · Clinician Fellow alum

Career progression

Where this role can lead

  1. New-grad RN / Residency

  2. Staff RN — specialty certified

  3. Charge / Clinical Resource RN

  4. Nurse Manager or CNS / NP track

  5. 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

  1. Apply

    ~2 min

    Two minutes with Apply Start — resume autofill does the rest.

  2. Recruiter screen

    2–3 days

    A real person reviews every application and reaches out.

  3. Interviews

    Week 1–2

    Meet your manager and the team — virtual or on-site, your pick.

  4. Offer

    Within 30 days

    Transparent pay, benefits walkthrough, and time to decide.

  5. Welcome

    Day one

    Paid onboarding, a peer buddy, and your 90-day growth plan.

Related

Explore similar careers nearby

Similar jobs

Student Support & Retention Nurse Specialist

$30.16–$52.18 / hrAltoonaPA

Apply now