Breakthrough to Nursing

​ Committee

​Revitalize, Redesign, Revolutionize

Jessica Searock
​BTN Director
St. Luke's School of Nursing
Bethlehem, PA
Memos
Connect on Social Media

What is the Role of the
Breakthrough to Nursing Committee?

Breakthrough to Nursing® (BTN) is NSNA’s® project to increase the number and diversity of students choosing nursing as a career. The project was established because of NSNA’s® concern over the inadequacy of health care delivery to minority group members and the lack of minority group health care providers. The objectives of the project are to promote career opportunities in nursing, with a focus on substantially increasing the number of students from groups who traditionally have been underrepresented in nursing. The project has been supported by NSNA since 1965. Its effectiveness seems due, in part, to the peer relationship that can be established between nursing students and minority group elementary, middle and high school students. In addition, through the Foundation of the NSNA, scholarship support is available for diverse nursing students to increase the number of registered nurses from ethnic minorities in the profession. 

BTN also teaches nursing students to be culturally competent in their care of all patients.  Resolutions passed by the NSNA House of Delegates has expanded the Project to include the recruitment of students from all underrepresented populations. 
Meet Jessica Searock:
​
Hello fellow Nursing Students and NSNA Members!  I am honored and privileged to serve as your 2024-2025 Breakthrough to Nursing Director.  While attending my first annual conference in Orlando, FL., I was amazed to see the passion, excitement and diversity our student nurses possess!
 
I am currently a non-traditional student in the RN Diploma Nursing Program at St. Luke's School of Nursing in Bethlehem, PA, in their evening and weekend program.  Upon graduation (8/2025) I anticipate attending Moravian University to complete my BSN.  As a second (or third, or fourth....) career nursing student, my previous life had me working as a paralegal in Family Law, teaching Special Education Students, English and Social Studies on our city's South Side and engaging in the community activities and needs.  I currently also work full time for St. Luke's University Health Network in Information Technology as the Lead Analyst for Instructional Design and Clinical Informatics, making sure our end users have the best education and outcomes while using our electronic medical record.  
 
My leap into healthcare was long overdue as my interest was piqued the moment I started in my current position almost 10 years ago.  Watching the commraderie, diversity, and expertise of those in the nursing field around me solidifed my passion and want to jump into nursing when the opportunity was presented again to me more recently.  As a single mother of a now 23 year old, my goals and dreams were paused while spending my time helping him reach his goals and dreams.  However, it is my goal to complete my RN and work in our Healthcare Network as an ICU and/or Wound Care Nurse.
 
During my time as your BTN Director, I hope to grow in my own learning of DEIBA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging and Acceptance) while drawing on my experiences from teaching, our diverse community and its needs and St. Luke's Health Network. I look foward to working with all state representatives to expand our knowledge and understanding of DEIBA while assisting with growing your state and local efforts, assess our current practices and continue to build and foster the success of our student nurses.
 
Be the change!  Thank you again and I look forward to working with you all in the coming year.

BTN Resources
​

​
​How to Establish a Mentor-Mentee Program At Your School ​
​BTN Video
Nursing—The Career for a Lifetime
This inspirational program presents accomplished nurses sharing their career journeys and new nurses revealing their dream careers. The DVD includes a main feature with bonus tracks on a variety of nursing career paths, to order, visit the NSNA Store.