Undergraduate Programs

A four-year baccalaureate degree in nursing opens up a myriad of career opportunities in the rapidly growing health care field. Nurses are at the heart of the health care professions, contributing in all areas from patient care to research and education. They make use of an increasingly complex array of technologically sophisticated processes and equipment, and they also translate the purpose and importance of these to the patient and family. Nurses also translate and integrate current research findings in planning individualized patient care.

Penn State's School of Nursing helps prepare students to be professional practitioners in health promotion and maintenance, care of illness, and rehabilitation.

The undergraduate nursing program includes a baccalaureate program (BS), an RN to BS program, and an associate degree program (AD).

Baccalaureate Program (BS) program in Nursing

The pre-licensure BS program is a four-year program that includes a broad liberal arts and science foundation and an extensive range of nursing courses. The BS program prepares nurses to provide nursing care in varied settings, which include hospitals, private practice, long-term care, clinics, and other health care and community agencies. Students gain experience in diverse settings including Hershey Medical Center, rural hospitals, community health agencies, and other health care settings (e.g., Rockview Prison). After earning a BS, students are eligible to take the national examination for licensure as registered nurses (NCLEX).

RN to BS Option in Nursing

The RN to BS option began in 1973 and was one of the first of its kind in the nation. The program makes it possible for registered nurses to earn a BS degree through full- or part-time study while maintaining personal and employment responsibilities. The option is offered at University Park, the following campuses and online:

Associate Degree (AD) Program in Nursing

The AD program is a concentrated two-year program that includes a combination of science, liberal arts, and focused nursing courses. The program prepares graduates for work in hospitals and long-term care facilities that focus on nursing care of individuals with common acute and chronic health problems. After earning an associate degree, students are eligible to take the national examination for licensure as registered nurses (NCLEX). The School of Nursing supports the national movement toward the baccalaureate degrees for entry-level nurses and encourages associate degree graduates to pursue a baccalaureate degree or higher. The associate degree program is offered at the following campuses:

Information for Adult Learners Interested in Nursing at Penn State

Information for Adult Learners Interested in Nursing at Penn State