Jessica A. Steckler is an accomplished nurse, educator, and owner and consultant of the Firm of Jessica A. Steckler. Early in her career, she taught various nursing courses at York County School of Technology, Hamot Medical School and Pennsylvania State University in the Behrend College’s associate degree nurse program in Erie, Pennsylvania. Subsequently hired by the VA Medical Center in 1981, Ms. Steckler then served as the assistant director, the chair of the medical ethics team, the acting CHEP director and an educational specialist for the Employee Education Systems. More recently, she provided her expertise as an instructional system specialist between 2006 and 2010.
In 1997, Ms. Steckler was a contributing author to Larry D. Purnell’s and Betty J. Paulanka’s book “Transcultural Health Care: A Culturally Competent Approach,” of which the third edition was published in 2007. She has contributed numerous articles to various scientific journals in her area of expertise as well. To remain aware of current trends in the industry, Ms. Steckler remains a member of the American Nurses Association. In 2011, she became an appraiser for the Pathway for Excellence program as part of the American Nurses Association.
Born and raised in Pennsylvania, Ms. Steckler acquired a diploma from Bryn Mawr Hospital’s School of Nursing in 1963. She subsequently acquired a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Millersville State College in 1971 and a Master of Education at Gannon University in 1979. She was notably a 1992 doctoral candidate in education at Pennsylvania State University. Ms. Steckler is certified in staff development and continuing education through the American Nurses Association, and is certified in medical ethics consultation through the University of West Virginia.
As a testament to her success, Ms. Steckler received a William A. Nelson Award for Excellence in Health Care. She was previously named to the Erie Hall of Fame, received two Special Contribution Awards from the Veterans Health Administration, received a Customer Service Star Award from the VA Medical Center and was honored with a Recognition Award from the National Nursing Staff Development Organization. A celebrated Marquis listee, Ms. Steckler has been featured in over a dozen editions of Who’s Who, including Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in American Education and Who’s Who in American Nursing.
Moving forward, Ms. Steckler will continue to work with the American Nurses Association as a consultant with its Pathway for Excellence program. She loves that she works with two other ladies who are either an administrator or clinical nurse specialist. What separates her from others in her field is that she never goes back on her word and she would like to be remembered as someone who was a good teacher. The mentor who motivated and inspired her was Ms. Craday. Additionally, Ms. Steckler had an opportunity to grow a circle of ladies called the Waterford Spiritual, who met monthly. They wanted self-growth and development, and were spiritually bounded. They would find a book that answered their questions and as they got comfortable with each other, they would ask speakers to visit.
