How to Become a Nurse in Pennsylvania

Carlow University, a private liberal arts college in Pittsburgh, offers programs delivered in small classes and rooted in the school's Catholic identity. The school awards 30 credits for registered nurse licensure, and up to 88 credits transfer into a nursing degree in Pennsylvania that features a fully online, 120-credit RN-to-BSN. These students typically complete the degree in as few as 11 months. RNs must complete a minimum of 32 credits at Carlow. The curriculum includes community health nursing, nursing leadership and management, and health promotion and disease prevention.

A capstone synthesizes nurses' learning and focuses on evidence-based practice. This unique RN-to-BSN allows RNs to take up to 12 graduate credits that they can apply to a master of science in nursing. With this option, nurses receive a head start on graduate school while paying an undergraduate, per-credit tuition rate. Admission requires unrestricted RN licensure in a U.S. state.

Gannon University, a Catholic diocesan college, enrolls about 4,300 learners on a campus centrally located in downtown Erie. Registered nurses can take part in one of the first RN-to-BSN programs in the state, where learners complete the 128-credit degree in an average of seven semesters. This nursing program in Pennsylvania observes management and leadership in nursing, promotes healthy communities, and helps in the transition to professional nursing roles.

The school accepts transferable credits, including 32 credits in nursing courses. The RN-to-BSN offers a portfolio option in which RNs also earn credit for nursing experience. Faculty members use seven- or 14-week courses to deliver the program in the fall, spring, and summer. The school offers a reduced per-credit tuition rate to increase access to the RN-to-BSN. Admission requires a nursing diploma or associate degree, a minimum 2.7 GPA, and current RN licensure in the United States. Gannon University does not offer this program in every state.

Pennsylvania State University ranks among the top 1% of colleges in the world. The school offers programs on 24 campuses and oversees a robust virtual college known as World Campus. For registered nurses, Penn State offers an RN-to-BSN on any campus and online through World Campus. RNs with a nursing diploma or associate degree enroll in the program on a full-time or part-time basis. The bachelor of science in nursing degree's 120 credits include general education and elective courses, as well.

The nursing curriculum explores pathophysiology, nursing informatics, mental health nursing, and nursing care for various populations and different settings. The program requires clinical experiences that learners complete in their communities and offers several degrees for BSN nurses seeking advanced credentials. Penn State notes a positive outlook for nurses in Pennsylvania in advanced careers such as clinical leader and nurse manager. Admission requires RN licensure in a U.S. state.

Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania is one of 14 public colleges in the Pennsylvania state system. The school grants registered nurses 63 credits for an associate degree in nursing and evaluates those with a nursing diploma on a case-by-case basis, as the school's nursing program accommodates nontraditional learners with a fully online, 120-credit RN-to-BSN. The nursing curriculum taken at Bloomsburg University explores transcultural health, family nursing, nursing care of older adults, and role development for the professional nurse.

The RN-to-BSN requires clinical sequences covering public health nursing, leadership, and management. The school maintains articulation agreements with several two-year institutions, guaranteeing admission and the transfer of credits. These include Bucks County Community College and Lehigh Carbon Community College. Admission to the nursing program in Pennsylvania requires a minimum 2.5 GPA on transferable credits and current RN licensure in Pennsylvania. The program does not enroll residents in other states.

Immaculata University celebrates a long history of Catholic liberal arts education. For registered nurses, the school offers an accelerated RN-to-BSN that prepares them for leadership roles in healthcare. The program requires 126 credits and offers learners a fully online or on-campus option. Other program distinctions include a cohort learning model, up to 72 transferable credits, and tuition discounts available for some cohorts.

The curriculum dedicates 50 credits to the major, with subjects such as holistic health assessment, professional and holistic nursing, and leadership and nursing. During a capstone in public health nursing, RNs examine the health challenges that face vulnerable populations. As one of the largest RN-to-BSN programs in the state, its capstone prepares nurses who can promote community and public health. RNs generally take two years to complete this BSN in Pennsylvania while employed full time. Admission requires RN licensure and official transcripts from a nursing diploma or associate degree program.

Founded in 1849, Waynesburg University offers more than 70 majors on the school's main campus located near Pittsburgh. With the goal of allowing registered nurses to finish on their own terms, the school also offers an RN-to-BSN program. The 124-credit bachelor of science in nursing offers a fully online or on-campus curriculum that learners complete in as few as 12-16 months of full-time study. RNs earn 85 credits for their associate degree or diploma in nursing and RN license.

The 33-39 credit major features computer applications in nursing, physical assessment, and clinical reasoning. The program's eight-week courses facilitate accelerated learning. Students may also complete the course on a part-time schedule. RNs with a bachelor's degree complete 27-33 credits in an accelerated BSN option also delivered on campus or online. Admission to this nursing degree in Pennsylvania requires a minimum 2.5 GPA and unrestricted RN licensure in a U.S. state.

Mansfield University of Pennsylvania offers a close-knit learning community. The school features a 120-credit bachelor of science in nursing that gives learners access to the resources of a well-ranked public college and real-world experience provided by Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital. Learners who do not hold registered nurse licensure spend the first two years of the program completing general education and nursing courses. During the rest of the program, learners complete intensive classroom and clinical coursework at the hospital. They also learn in other settings such as nursing homes, schools, and outpatient clinics.

In addition to leadership and management in nursing, the major includes an exploration of nursing case studies, community health nursing, and healthcare ethics. The school notes a 94% pass rate on the NCLEX exam and an excellent career outlook for nurses in Pennsylvania; 90% of nursing graduates find employment in a related professional practice within six months of graduation. The school recently revamped tuition and housing fees to make learning more affordable. Admission for transfer students majoring in nursing requires a minimum 2.7 GPA.

Marywood University enrolls about 3,000 students on a scenic 115-acre campus in Scranton. The Catholic college offers an on-campus, 120-credit bachelor of science in nursing for learners beginning to pursue a nursing career; for those with registered nurse credentials, it offers an RN-to-BSN bridge program. The four-year BSN requires coursework in the liberal arts and sciences and nursing. The RN-to-BSN includes some general education in subjects such as philosophy and psychology. The nursing major delves into topics such as health assessment, nursing research, and community nursing care. RNs receive advanced standing for some nursing courses.

With as few as 15 credits, learners add a Spanish minor to the BSN to gain a competitive edge in the job market. The school's two associations for nursing students, Sigma Theta Tau International and Student Nurses Association of Marywood, provide learners with specialized extracurricular activities. Admission to this BSN in Pennsylvania requires competitive SAT or ACT scores for first-year students; RNs must possess a minimum 3.0 QPA and an unencumbered license.

Robert Morris University, a private college in suburban Pittsburgh, offers registered nurses 80 undergraduate degrees -- including a fully online RN-to-BSN bridge program. The 120-credit bachelor of science in nursing prepares learners for careers such as forensic nurse, clinical researcher, and legal nurse consultant. The curriculum features informatics, evidence-based practice, health promotion, and cultural sensitivity.

BSN students engage in clinical experiences in community and hospital settings. The school's RISE center, which maintains accreditation from the Society for Simulation in Healthcare, provides learners with advanced simulation technology that many schools do not offer. Students leave the program with strong technical and critical thinking skills, as well as sound clinical judgment. RMU nursing graduates may opt to pursue a fully online master of science in nursing at the college in one of a variety of specialties. The nursing school notes a great career outlook for nurses in Pennsylvania, including RMU graduates. Admission requires a minimum 2.5 GPA and an unencumbered RN license.

Cedar Crest, a PA women's college, educates the next generation of leaders on the school's park-like campus in Allentown. Registered nurses who enroll in the school's online RN-to-BSN earn academic credit for prior college courses and 36 credits for completing the professional nursing seminar. The major observes health promotion, health assessment, concepts in professional nursing, and essentials of nursing research. An elective covers nursing in the global community as nurses experience the socio-economic and cultural dimensions of healthcare in a chosen country.

In keeping with the school's emphasis on leadership, nurses use capstone projects to examine managerial and leadership roles for healthcare delivery in diverse settings. Admission to this nursing program in Pennsylvania requires an RN license and a minimum 2.5 GPA. Applicants must also meet one of two requirements: graduation from nursing school or completion of 1,000 hours within three years of application.