RN to BSN Programs in Pennsylvania
Currently, Pennsylvania has 131,000 licensed RNs. Though this is the case, the shortage for nurses is foreseeable in the near future. The Health Resources Service Administration has stated that 54,000 RNs will be required by the year 2020 in order to meet the needs. Throughout the country, the need will be a staggering 500,000 RNs. This makes registered nursing, the quickest growing career in the U.S. till at least 2018; this is according to the AACN or the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.
The National Advisory Council on Nurse Education and Practice has pointed out that there should be at least two-thirds of practicing registered nurses that hold a BSN degree. At present, there is only 36-37% of RNs that already hold this degree.
The benefits of accomplishing the BSN degree are numerous. While many RNs begin as staff nurses, those that hold BSN degrees can more easily advance professionally. Bachelorette degree holders also have the option to enroll in Master’s Degree in Nursing easily. Nurses that hold BSN degrees are also are observed to be better prepared to meet their patients’ needs across different medical settings. The degree is also a symbol of credibility and prestige.
Here are top nursing schools to consider if you want to enroll in a RN to BSN Degree Completion program
Pennsylvania State University
Enrollees have an option to study full-time or part-time at any of the 10 campuses. The web-based program is provided by the university through the Penn State World Campus. Founded in 1855, this university is one of the leading nursing education providers in the country, with in-state tuition and fees amounting to $16,444 during the academic year 2012-2013.
BSN students can look forward to the University Park Campus which is renown as the Happy Valley. There is never a dull moment during your BSN study as there are almost 90 sororities and fraternities to consider.
The requirements for the university’s RN to BSN programs may be different at each campus. Get in touch with them to find out about the exact requirements, curriculum and possible ways to pay for the program.
Chamberlain College of Nursing
This educational institution has over 120 years to back its claim that it can help you achieve your nursing goals. The college also has high tech facilities and labs; expert faculty and a student-centered approach in teaching.
The school’s online programs allow the students to take their classes at their own convenient time. This is great news for working individuals and students that are tied up with family obligations.
The Chamberlain online programs are –
- RN to BSN (for registered nurses only)
- MSN (for RNs who also want to take MSN while finishing their BSN degree
- Graduate Certificate Program (for MSN-prepared nurses who would want to specialize in critical areas of nursing)
The Chamberlain College of Nursing is duly accredited by the HLC or Higher Learning Commission. It is also a North Central Association of Colleges and Schools member.
Take note that the program availability may vary depending on the location of the student.
La Salle University in Philadelphia
La Salle is a private, co-educational learning institution with the School of Nursing and Health Sciences located at the original WisterTower in the Germantown Hospital Campus. La Salle aims to provide excellent teaching by facilitating their students’ developments. For them, producing nurses that truly care for their patients is one of their main goals.
The RN to BSN program at this university is fully web-based, hence, students can move forward according to their preferred pace. Faculty members can be contacted through chat rooms and virtual classrooms. The nursing courses can be accomplished in about 13 months with zero clinical requirements.
There are 42 nursing schools in Pennsylvania that provide RN to BSN program. We gathered some key information about each school to help you learn more about the schools' characteristics and the programs they provide.
Where applicable we also list weighted average NCLEX pass rate of the students who attended the schools in the last 3 years.
Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania
Bloomsburg, PA
Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania is in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania. It is part of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. There are a total of ten campuses in this school system, including the Bloomsburg location. The university was established in 1839 as the Bloomsburg Academy. It has undergone numerous name changes over the years, taking its current name in 1983. The university ...
DeSales University
Center Valley, PA
Established in 1964, DeSales University is a private institution in Center Valley, Pennsylvania. It was founded as a college offering a Bachelor of Arts degree and Bachelor of Science degree. Over the years, the number of programs has expanded. The college received university status in 2000 and now offers a variety of programs through traditional, online, and hybrid learning. The campus is ...
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA
Established in 1891, Drexel University is a private institution in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was founded by a financier as an institute of art, science, and industry. It now offers over 70 undergraduate programs and over 100 graduate degree programs. The university is structured into several colleges and schools. These institutions include the College of Nursing and Health Professions, ...
Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, PA
Duquesne University is a private university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It was established in 1878 as the Pittsburgh Catholic College of the Holy Ghost. The first school year, just 40 students enrolled. The university now has an annual enrollment that exceeds 10,000 students. The main campus has grown over the years and now encompasses more than 49 acres in the Uptown neighborhood of ...
Eastern University
Saint Davids, PA
Eastern University is a private institution in Saint Davids, Pennsylvania. It was established in 1925 as a department in the Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary. The university became a separate institution in 1952 and moved to its current location. It was renamed Eastern College in 1972 and achieved university status in 2001. It also recently acquired its parent institution. The Eastern ...
Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
Edinboro, PA
Edinboro University of Pennsylvania is a public institution in Edinboro, Pennsylvania. It is also part of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. This school system includes ten campuses located throughout the state. Edinboro was established in 1857 and is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. More than 6,000 students enrolled during the 2018 school ...
Misericordia University
Dallas, PA
Established in 1924, Misericordia University is a private university in Dallas, Pennsylvania. It is affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church and was founded by the Religious Sisters of Mercy. Misericordia received university status in 2007 and now offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The university also has a Guaranteed Placement Program (GPP). Students participate ...
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus
University Park, PA
The main campus of Pennsylvania State University (PSU or Penn State) is in University Park, Pennsylvania. PSU is a public institution offering both undergraduate and graduate degree programs. It is also part of Pennsylvania State University, which operates ten campuses. It was established in 1855 as the Farmers’ High School of Pennsylvania, later becoming the Agricultural College of ...
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg
Middletown, PA
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg is one of 24 campuses operated by Penn State. It is a public institution in Middletown, Pennsylvania. It was established in 1966 and originally only served juniors and seniors. In 2004, the Harrisburg location began accepting freshman and sophomores. Harrisburg is conveniently located about two hours from Baltimore, Philadelphia, and ...
Robert Morris University
Moon Township, PA
Robert Morris University (RMU) is a private university in Moon Township, Pennsylvania. It was established in 1921 and named after one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. The university began life as the Pittsburgh School of Accountancy. It now offers over 60 undergraduate programs and 20 masters and doctoral program. The campus is in Moon Township, which is a suburb of ...
Thomas Jefferson University
Philadelphia, PA
Established in 1825, Thomas Jefferson University (TJU) is a private institution in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is ranked 15th in a ranking of the Best Regional Universities in the North. The university began as a medical school. While the university now offers a wide range of programs in various disciplines, health and sciences are still the primary focus. The School of Nursing opened in ...
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA
University of Pennsylvania is a private institution in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Benjamin Franklin established the university in 1740, making it one of the oldest universities in the country. It is also one of the nine colonial colleges that were chartered before the American Revolution. It has become an Ivy League university that is regularly ranked as the top institution in a variety of ...
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus
Pittsburgh, PA
The Pittsburgh campus of the University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) offers both undergraduate and graduate degree programs. It is a public institution with an annual enrollment of over 16,000 students. It was established in 1787 and moved to its current location in 1908. The university is structured into 17 schools and colleges located on the Pittsburgh campus. Pitt is also affiliated with several ...
Villanova University
Villanova, PA
Villanova University is a private institution in Villanova, Pennsylvania. The Order of Saint Augustine founded the university in 1842. It maintains its affiliation with the Roman Catholic Church and is a member of the Augustinian Secondary Education Association. The university was an all-male institution until 1918. The college began offering evening classes for nuns. However, it was not ...
Waynesburg University
Waynesburg, PA
The Cumberland Presbyterian Church established Waynesburg University in 1849 as a private institution in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania officially chartered the university in 1850. The campus is in the hills of the southwestern region of Pennsylvania. It also includes three adult centers in nearby cities. While the university started with just a few programs, it ...
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
West Chester, PA
West Chester University of Pennsylvania (WCUPA) is a public institution in West Chester, Pennsylvania. It is also part of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, along with nine other campuses. WCUPA is also the largest of the 14 universities that belong to the system. The university was established in 1871 as the West Chester Normal School. It initially offered a four-year program ...
Wilkes University
Wilkes-Barre, PA
Wilkes University is a private institution in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. It was established in 1933 as a satellite campus for Bucknell University and became independent in 1947. In 1990, it received university status and its current name. The campus is in downtown Wilkes-Barre and includes eight academic buildings and nine administrative buildings. The buildings are closely grouped, with ...