RN to BSN Programs in Pennsylvania: A career in nursing is a great choice for those who desire to support people in living long, healthy lives. In the healthcare industry, nurses play a critical role in ensuring that patients receive the care they need. They collaborate with doctors and work independently as well. At institutions such as hospitals, long-term care facilities, schools, and neighborhood clinics, nurses provide patient care. Without requiring applicants to complete medical school, nursing positions can come with substantial compensation and obligations.
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Pennsylvania Nursing Specialties
When selecting a specialization, nursing students should take their career objectives into account. Several nursing programs, especially graduate programs, let students focus on a particular nursing specialty to get ready for a certain function. Both a nurse’s compensation and duties are influenced by their expertise.
In Pennsylvania, nursing students may think about specializing as an APRN, such as a nurse anesthetist, nurse midwife, or nurse practitioner. These highly qualified nurses often make six-figure wages, and the BLS estimates that nurse anesthetists in Pennsylvania make close to $163,000 annually. Furthermore, the BLS predicts that advanced nursing professions will experience rapid job growth. To become an APRN, nurses must get a graduate degree and a licensure.
Nursing students should also think about their ideal workplace. Nurses can work in a variety of situations, such as psychiatric wards, neonatal care units, and emergency clinics. The responsibilities and compensation for various categories of nurses in Pennsylvania are discussed in the section that follows.
Nursing Practitioner
Students who choose this speciality will be prepared to serve as nurse practitioners in both general and specialized care settings. Students get advanced knowledge in pharmacology, management, administration, and healthcare policy.
Philadelphia’s average annual salary is $97,902
Nurse Anesthetist
Before, during, and after diagnostic, surgical, and obstetric procedures, nurse anesthetists give anesthetic. Anatomy, pharmacology, and patient assessment are among the subjects covered by students in this discipline. During an internship component, students frequently observe certified nurse anesthetists in action.
$150,029 is the average salary in Philadelphia.
Emergency Room Nurse
Students who specialize in emergency department nursing acquire the skills necessary to care for hospitalized patients under pressure. Typically, they are taught about patient assessment, wound treatment, and blood transfusions.
Philadelphia’s average annual salary is $85,496.
Neonatal Nurse
Future neonatal nurses receive training in providing care for infants with a range of medical issues. Neonatal nurses care for premature or otherwise vulnerable infants, such as those who have serious illnesses, birth deformities, or grave injuries, in neonatal intensive care units.
Philadelphia’s average salary is $71,000.
Psychiatric Nurse
The abilities required to treat patients with behavioral disorders, substance misuse difficulties, and mental health concerns are developed by psychiatric nursing students. In addition to private practices, hospitals and mental health facilities frequently employ psychiatric nurses.
Philadelphia’s average annual salary is $82,997.
Certified Nurse Midwife
Graduate students who specialize in this subject gain knowledge of childbirth and reproductive health. Nurse midwives frequently operate in public health and hospital settings.
Philadelphia’s typical annual salary is $100,761
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RN to BSN Programs in Pennsylvania
Students considering pursuing an ADN, BSN, or MSN in Pennsylvania should carefully review their options for programs. Accelerated, on-campus, and online programs all have advantages and disadvantages. You can compare programs and start your search using the ranking below, which is based on data from the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing.
1. Carlow University
Small-class programs with a strong Catholic identity are available at Pittsburgh’s private liberal arts university, Carlow University. The institution grants 30 credits for registered nurse licensing, and up to 88 credits can be applied toward a nursing degree in Pennsylvania, which offers a 120-credit RN-to-BSN program that is entirely online. The typical time for these students to finish their degrees is 11 months. At Carlow, RNs are required to complete a minimum of 32 credits. Community health nursing, nursing leadership and administration, and health promotion and disease prevention are all covered in the curriculum.
A capstone project integrates nurses’ education and emphasizes evidence-based practice. RNs can enroll in up to 12 graduate credits through this special RN-to-BSN program, which they can then apply toward a master of science in nursing. By choosing this option, nurses can start graduate school early and pay undergraduate tuition rates per credit. Unrestricted RN licensing in a U.S. state is a requirement for admission.
2. Gannon University
Over 4,300 students attend Gannon University, a Catholic diocesan college, which has a campus in the heart of Erie. At one of the state’s first RN-to-BSN programs, registered nurses can complete the 128-credit degree in as little as seven semesters. This nursing curriculum in Pennsylvania fosters healthy communities, observes management and leadership in nursing, and aids in the transition to professional nursing responsibilities.
Transferable credits are accepted by the institution, including 32 credits in nursing courses. The portfolio option for the RN-to-BSN allows RNs to receive credit for their prior nursing experience. The curriculum is taught by faculty members in seven- or 14-week courses in the fall, spring, and summer. To promote access to the RN-to-BSN program, the institution offers a discounted per-credit tuition fee. A nursing diploma or associate degree, a GPA of at least 2.7, and active RN licensing in the United States are requirements for admission. This program is not accessible in every state thanks to Gannon University.
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3. Pennsylvania State University
One percent of all universities worldwide are ranked higher than Pennsylvania State University. The institution runs a sizable virtual university called Global Campus and provides programs at 24 sites. Penn State provides an RN-to-BSN program for registered nurses on any campus and online through Global Campus. RNs who have an associate’s degree in nursing or a nursing diploma can participate in the program either full-time or part-time. The 120 credits required for the bachelor of science in nursing degree also cover general education and elective courses.
Pathophysiology, nursing informatics, mental health nursing, and nursing care for varied populations and different contexts are all covered in the nursing curriculum. The program provides numerous degrees for BSN nurses seeking further certifications and mandates practical experiences that learners complete in their areas. According to Penn State, Pennsylvania nurses have a bright future in specialized fields including clinical leadership and nurse management. A U.S. state’s RN license is required for admission.
4. Bloomsburg University
One of the 14 public universities in the Pennsylvania state system is Bloomsburg University. The school’s nursing program accommodates nontraditional learners with a fully online, 120-credit RN-to-BSN, and grants registered nurses 63 credits toward an associate’s degree in nursing. Those with a nursing diploma are evaluated individually. The transcultural health, family nursing, nursing care of elderly individuals, and role development for the professional nurse are all topics covered in the nursing curriculum at Bloomsburg University.
Clinical sequences in public health nursing, management, and leadership are necessary for the RN-to-BSN program. A number of two-year colleges and the school have articulation agreements in place that ensure entrance and credit transfer. Lehigh Carbon Community College and Bucks County Community College are two examples. A minimum 2.5 GPA on transferrable credits and active Pennsylvania RN licensure are requirements for admission to the nursing school in Pennsylvania. Residents of other states cannot enroll in the program.
5. Immaculata University
Catholic liberal arts education has a long tradition at Immaculata University. The institution provides registered nurses with an expedited RN-to-BSN program that trains them for management positions in the healthcare industry. The 126-credit program gives students the choice of attending classes on site or entirely online. Cohort learning, up to 72 transferable credits, and tuition breaks offered for some cohorts are just a few of the program’s unique features.
The major receives 50 credits in the curriculum, including coursework in topics including holistic health assessment, professional and holistic nursing, and nursing leadership. The health issues that vulnerable populations confront are examined by RNs as part of their capstone public health nursing course. Its capstone program, one of the biggest RN-to-BSN programs in the state, trains nurses to advance community and public health. When working full-time, RNs in Pennsylvania typically earn their BSN in two years. RN license and certified credentials from a nursing diploma or associate degree program are prerequisites for admission.
6. Waynesburg University
More than 70 majors are available at Waynesburg University, which was founded in 1849 and has its main campus close to Pittsburgh. The school also provides an RN-to-BSN curriculum with the aim of letting registered nurses graduate on their own terms. Students can complete the 124-credit bachelor of science in nursing entirely online or on campus in as little as 12 to 16 months of full-time study. For their associate’s or diploma in nursing and RN license, registered nurses must complete 85 credits.
Computer applications in nursing, physical assessment, and clinical reasoning are included in the 33-39 credit major. The eight-week classes of the program provide fast learning. The course can also be finished by students taking it on a part-time basis. RNs who already hold a bachelor’s degree complete 27–33 credits as part of an accelerated BSN option that is also offered online or on campus. A minimum GPA of 2.5 and unrestricted RN licensing in a U.S. state are prerequisites for admission to this nursing degree in Pennsylvania.
7. Mansfield University
Penn State’s Mansfield University provides a close-knit academic community. The university offers a 120-credit bachelor of science in nursing program that gives students access to the facilities of a reputable public university and hands-on training at Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital. The first two years of the program are spent by students taking general education and nursing courses if they do not already possess a license as a registered nurse. The remainder of the program is spent at the hospital, where students do rigorous classroom and clinical coursework. Also, they receive their education in places like schools, nursing homes, and outpatient clinics.
The major also covers community health nursing, nursing case studies, and healthcare ethics in addition to leadership and management in nursing. In Pennsylvania, nurses have a great career outlook and a 94% pass rate on the NCLEX exam, according to the school. 90% of nursing graduates find employment in a related professional practice within six months of graduation. To reduce costs, the school recently changed the tuition and housing rates. A minimum GPA of 2.7 is required for admission for transfer students majoring in nursing.
8. Marywood University
Over 3,000 students attend Marywood University in Scranton, which has a beautiful 115-acre campus. For students beginning to pursue a nursing career, the Catholic college offers a 120-credit on-campus bachelor’s degree in nursing; for those who already possess a registered nurse credential, it offers an RN-to-BSN bridging program. Coursework in nursing and the liberal arts and sciences is required for the four-year BSN. A portion of general education in disciplines like philosophy and psychology is included in the RN to BSN program. Health assessment, nursing research, and community nursing care are just a few of the subjects included in the nursing major. Certain nursing courses grant advanced standing to RNs.
Students can add a Spanish minor to their BSN with as few as 15 credits to give themselves an advantage in the employment market. Sigma Theta Tau International and Student Nurses Association of Marywood, the school’s two nursing student organizations, offer students specific extracurricular activities. For first-year students to be admitted to this BSN program in Pennsylvania, competitive SAT or ACT scores are required; RNs must also have a license that is unencumbered and have a minimum GPA of 3.0.
9. Robert Morris University
In addition to 80 undergraduate degrees for registered nurses, Robert Morris University also provides a fully online RN-to-BSN bridge program. The 120-credit nursing bachelor’s degree program equips students for vocations like forensic nursing, clinical research, and legal nurse consulting. Information technology, evidence-based practice, health promotion, and cultural awareness are all included in the curriculum.
BSN students participate in clinical rotations in healthcare facilities and the community. The school’s RISE center, which is accredited by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare, offers students cutting-edge simulation equipment that is uncommon in other institutions. Students graduate from the program with solid technical, analytical, and clinical judgment skills. RMU nursing graduates have the option to enroll in the college’s fully online master of science in nursing program in one of several areas. The nursing program points out that RMU graduates have a promising future as nurses in Pennsylvania. An unencumbered RN license and a minimum GPA of 2.5 are requirements for admission.
10. Cedar Crest University
https://www.cedarcrest.edu/academics/nursing/bsn for rns.shtm
The next generation of leaders are educated at Cedar Crest, a women’s college in Pennsylvania, which has a park-like campus in Allentown. In addition to receiving 36 credits for finishing the professional nursing seminar, registered nurses who participate in the school’s online RN-to-BSN program receive academic credit for any prior college courses they have taken. The major examines ideas in professional nursing, health promotion, health assessment, and fundamentals of nursing research. Nursing in the global community is covered in an elective as nurses get a taste of the socioeconomic and cultural aspects of healthcare in a particular nation.
Nurses use capstone projects to study administrative and leadership roles for healthcare delivery in a variety of settings, in keeping with the school’s emphasis on leadership. A valid RN license and a GPA of at least 2.5 are prerequisites for enrollment in this nursing school in Pennsylvania. Both nursing school graduation and completing 1,000 hours within three years of application are prerequisites for applicants.
Steps for Becoming a Nurse
The typical requirements for registered nurses (RNs) include a bachelor’s degree in nursing and state licensure. With an associate degree and a license, licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs) can practice. For licensing and practice, advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), such as nurse practitioners and nurse anesthetists, must hold a graduate degree.
Those who are interested in the sector may think about earning a nursing degree in Pennsylvania as the state is seeing tremendous expansion in the industry. The Pennsylvania nursing workforce is expected to grow by 13%, or roughly 19,000 additional employment, between 2016 and 2026, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The BLS forecasts a 9.2% increase in the number of LPN and LVN posts in the state during the same time frame.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Pennsylvania RN program?
When working full-time, RNs in Pennsylvania typically earn their BSN in two years. RN license and certified credentials from a nursing diploma or associate degree program are prerequisites for admission.
RN to BSN: Is it challenging?
Certainly, many students find RN to BSN programs to be tough. Yet, certain programs, like the ones offered by Cambridge College of Healthcare & Technology and Cambridge Institute of Allied Health, are designed with the express purpose of assisting students in overcoming the difficulties involved in pursuing higher education in the medical sector.
Which BSN specialty has the highest pay?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists have an annual median salary of $195,610, making them the highest paid nursing specialties.
How often can you take the NCLEX in Pennsylvania?
Can I retake the NCLEX® exam if I don't pass it? Absolutely, as of right now, there is no cap on how many times a license candidate can take the test.
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