Home to the first zoo in the United States, the state of Pennsylvania also has a rich history and is widely known in the world of college sports. That said, armed with a prosperous and thriving economy that is made up of the banking, agriculture, gambling, and film industries, the state of Pennsylvania is ranked in the top 10 states in the GSP rankings. There are also lots of nursing schools in Pennsylvania.
Because the state of Pennsylvania’s economy has performed well, the cost of living is very attractive if you’re living off a nurses’ salary. You can easily live both comfortably and affordably almost anywhere in the state. This goes for any nurse working in any profession within the medical field.
Nursing Education in Pennsylvania
Aspiring and advancing nurses have a wide selection of colleges available to them throughout the state of Pennsylvania. While the majority of all colleges and universities are open to the public, some of the more outstanding schools include the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Pittsburgh, and Carnegie Mellon University; all of which provide some form of nursing degree programs.
Overall, is not uncommon for many of these universities and colleges to offer various degree programs as it pertains to an Associates, Bachelor’s, Masters, and Doctoral’s or Ph.D.’s. Different requirements are attached to each program as it pertains to the area of study and work that is desired.
Upon graduating and becoming a licensed nurse, you will have the option of applying to several of the well-known major hospitals, doctors’ offices, health clinics, and other healthcare facilities in the state.
While the current job market for nurses is is strong, nursing jobs across all skill levels are believed to experience a dramatic increase in the next ten years – particularly in the registered nurse and LPN positions. Of course, salary amounts will vary based on the area of medicine as well as the skill level. Nonetheless, no matter what the annual salary the cost of living is easily affordable.
Featured Programs
Gannon University Villa Maria School of Nursing
Located in downtown Erie, Pennsylvania’s fourth-largest city, Gannon University is a private, Catholic, liberal arts university. The nursing programs at the Villa Maria School of Nursing are fully accredited by CCNE.
In addition to a traditional baccalaureate program, Gannon offers an online RN to BSN completion route, an online post- bachelor’s certificate in school nursing, and an on-campus RN to MSN program.
Students benefit from a small student to faculty ratio, almost 1000 hours of varied clinical placements, and access to a patient simulation laboratory. Clinical experience doesn’t end there, as summer internships in hospital settings are also available, and both students and faculty are active participants in service-related health care activities.
109 University Square
Erie, PA 16541
814-871-7000
Website: http://www.gannon.edu/
Villanova University College of Nursing
Founded in 1842, Villanova is a private Catholic university that emphasizes critical thinking, compassion, and service to others. Villanova is located in the affluent western suburbs of Philadelphia and is home to more than 10,000 students. Since 2004, the School of Nursing at Villanova has been continuously named by the National League for Nursing as a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education.
BSN students at Villanova have the choice of a standard BSN, a four-semester second-degree BSN and a 14-month accelerated BSN. Four MSN concentrations are on offer plus a range of post-master’s certificates. Doctoral students may opt for a standard DNP, a DNP-Nurse Anesthesia, or a scholarly Ph.D.
The BSN, MSN and standard DNP program at Villanova are accredited by CCNE. The DNP-Nurse Anesthetist program is fully accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs.
800 E. Lancaster Avenue
Villanova, PA 19085
610-519-4500
Website: http://www1.villanova.edu/main.html
West Chester University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing
West Chester University is the largest college in Pennsylvania’s state system of higher education with over 17,000 students. The academic profile of admitted freshman students across all subjects includes a high school GPA of 3.3 plus a combined SAT score of 1120 or ACT score of 24. Nursing programs at the school have accreditation in place from CCNE.
Students looking to embark upon a baccalaureate in nursing at West Chester may opt for a standard 120 credit full first-degree pathway, an 18-month accelerated pathway or the RN to BSN option. All courses are delivered on campus.
Adult-Gerontology and Nursing Education are both 40 credit plus programs which represent the two possible concentrations for master’s students and are also studied on campus. However, the 35 credit DNP program is delivered almost completely online.
700 South High Street
West Chester, PA 19383
610-436-1000
Website: http://www.wcupa.edu
The Pennsylvania State University School of Nursing
Penn State is a private research university that is consistently included in the top 1% of universities worldwide. Penn State’s nursing programs have been granted accreditation from CCNE. Although the main campus is located near to the city of State College, the university maintains a long list of satellite campuses across Pennsylvania and most nursing programs are offered at multiple campuses and/or online.
Penn State offers a comprehensive range of nursing education. Three variants of BSN are offered alongside five specialization options for master’s students, two of which may be studied wholly online. Aspiring PhD students can opt for an interdisciplinary Ph.D. or a dual-title Ph.D. in Nursing and Bioethics. DNP programs are included in the range of doctoral choices and prepare nurses for the highest level of clinical practice.
201 Old Main
University Park
Pennsylvania 16802
814-865-4700
Website: http://www.psu.edu
Pennsylvania Board of Nursing Approved Schools
Alvernia College School of Nursing Location: Reading, Pennsylvania Programs: BSN Founded: 1958 Accreditation Body: CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education Website:http://www.alvernia.eduBloomsburg University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing Location: Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania Programs: BSN, MSN Founded: 1839 Accreditation Body: CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education Website:http://www.bloomu.eduCalifornia University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing Location: California, Pennsylvania Programs: BSN Founded: 1852 Accreditation Body: CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education Website:http://www.cup.eduCarlow University School of Nursing Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Programs: BSN, MSN Founded: 1929 Accreditation Body: CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education Website:http://www.carlow.eduCedar Crest College School of Nursing Location: Allentown, Pennsylvania Programs: BSN Founded: 1867 Accreditation Body: ACEN – Accreditation Commission For Education in Nursing Website:http://www.cedarcrest.eduClarion University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing Location: Oil City, Pennsylvania Programs: BSN, MSN Founded: 1867 Accreditation Body: ACEN – Accreditation Commission For Education in Nursing Website:http://www.clarion.eduCollege Misericordia School of Nursing Location: Dallas, Pennsylvania Programs: BSN, MSN Founded: 1924 Accreditation Body: CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education Website:http://www.misericordia.eduDeSales University School of Nursing Location: Center Valley, Pennsylvania Programs: BSN, MSN Founded: 1964 Accreditation Body: ACEN – Accreditation Commission For Education in Nursing Website:http://www.desales.eduDrexel University School of Nursing Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Programs: BSN, MSN Founded: 1891 Accreditation Body: CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and ACEN – Accreditation Commission For Education in Nursing Website:http://www.drexel.eduDuquesne University School of Nursing Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Programs: BSN, MSN, PhD Founded: 1878 Accreditation Body: CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education Website:http://www.duq.eduEast Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing Location: East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania Programs: BSN Founded: 1893 Accreditation Body: ACEN – Accreditation Commission For Education in Nursing Website:http://www3.esu.eduEastern University School of Nursing Location: Saint Davids, Pennsylvania Programs: BSN Founded: 1952 Accreditation Body: CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education Website:http://www.eastern.eduEdinboro University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing Location: Edinboro, Pennsylvania Programs: BSN, MSN Founded: 1857 Accreditation Body: CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education Website:http://www.edinboro.eduGannon University Villa Maria School of Nursing Location: Erie, Pennsylvania Programs: BSN, MSN Founded: 1925 Accreditation Body: CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education Website:http://www.gannon.eduGwynedd Mercy College School of Nursing Location: Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania Programs: BSN, MSN Founded: 1948 Accreditation Body: ACEN – Accreditation Commission For Education in Nursing Website:http://www.gmc.eduHoly Family University School of Nursing and Allied Health Professions Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Programs: BSN, MSN Founded: 1954 Accreditation Body: ACEN – Accreditation Commission For Education in Nursing Website:http://www.holyfamily.eduImmaculata University School of Nursing Location: Immaculata, Pennsylvania Programs: BSN, MSN Founded: 1920 Accreditation Body: CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and ACEN – Accreditation Commission For Education in Nursing Website:http://www.immaculata.eduIndiana University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing and Allied Health Location: Indiana, Pennsylvania Programs: BSN, MSN Founded: 1875 Accreditation Body: CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education Website:http://www.iup.eduKutztown University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing Location: Kutztown, Pennsylvania Programs: BSN Founded: 1866 Accreditation Body: ACEN – Accreditation Commission For Education in Nursing Website:http://www.kutztown.eduLa Roche College School of Nursing Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Programs: BSN, MSN Founded: 1963 Accreditation Body: ACEN – Accreditation Commission For Education in Nursing Website:http://www.laroche.eduLa Salle University School of Nursing Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Programs: BSN, MSN Founded: 1863 Accreditation Body: CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education Website:http://www.lasalle.eduMansfield University of Pennsylvania Robert Packer School of Nursing Location: Mansfield, Pennsylvania Programs: BSN Founded: 1857 Accreditation Body: ACEN – Accreditation Commission For Education in Nursing Website:http://www.mansfield.eduMarywood University School of Nursing Location: Scranton, Pennsylvania Programs: BSN, MSN Founded: 1915 Accreditation Body: ACEN – Accreditation Commission For Education in Nursing Website:http://www.marywood.eduMessiah College School of Nursing Location: Grantham, Pennsylvania Programs: BSN Founded: 1909 Accreditation Body: CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education Website:http://www.messiah.eduMillersville University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing Location: Millersville, Pennsylvania Programs: BSN, MSN Founded: 1855 Accreditation Body: ACEN – Accreditation Commission For Education in Nursing Website:http://www.millersville.eduMoravian College Saint Luke’s School of Nursing Location: Bethlehem, Pennsylvania Programs: BSN Founded: 1742 Accreditation Body: CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education Website:http://www.moravian.eduMount Aloysius College School of Nursing Location: Cresson, Pennsylvania Programs: BSN Founded: 1939 Accreditation Body: ACEN – Accreditation Commission For Education in Nursing Website:http://www.mtaloy.eduNeumann College School of Nursing and Health Sciences Location: Aston, Pennsylvania Programs: BSN, MSN Founded: 1965 Accreditation Body: ACEN – Accreditation Commission For Education in Nursing Website:http://www.neumann.eduPennsylvania College of Technology School of Nursing Location: Williamsport, Pennsylvania Programs: BSN Founded: 1965 Accreditation Body: ACEN – Accreditation Commission For Education in Nursing Website:http://www.pct.eduThe Pennsylvania State University University Park School of Nursing Location: University Park, Pennsylvania Programs: BSN, MSN, PHD Founded: 1855 Accreditation Body: CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and ACEN – Accreditation Commission For Education in Nursing Website:http://www.psu.eduSaint Francis University School of Nursing Location: Loretto, Pennsylvania Programs: BSN Founded: 1847 Accreditation Body: CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education Website:http://www.francis.eduSlippery Rock University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing Location: Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania Programs: BSN, MSN Founded: 1889 Accreditation Body: ACEN – Accreditation Commission For Education in Nursing Website:http://www.sru.eduTemple University School of Nursing Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Programs: BSN, MSN Founded: 1884 Accreditation Body: CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education Website:http://www.temple.eduThomas Jefferson University School of Nursing Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Programs: BSN, MSN Founded: 1824 Accreditation Body: CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education Website:http://www.tju.eduUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Nursing Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Programs: BSN, MSN, PHD Founded: 1740 Accreditation Body: CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education Website:http://www.upenn.eduUniversity of Pittsburgh School of Nursing Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Programs: BSN, MSN, PHD Founded: 1787 Accreditation Body: CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education Website:http://www.pitt.eduUniversity of Pittsburgh Bradford School of Nursing Location: Bradford, Pennsylvania Programs: BSN Founded: 1963 Accreditation Body: ACEN – Accreditation Commission For Education in Nursing Website:http://www.upb.eduThe University of Scranton School of Nursing Location: Scranton, Pennsylvania Programs: BSN, MSN Founded: 1888 Accreditation Body: CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education Website:http://www.scranton.eduVillanova University College of Nursing Location: Villanova, Pennsylvania Programs: BSN, MSN, PHD Founded: 1842 Accreditation Body: CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and ACEN – Accreditation Commission For Education in Nursing Website:http://www.villanova.eduWaynesburg College School of Nursing Location: Waynesburg, Pennsylvania Programs: BSN, MSN Founded: 1849 Accreditation Body: CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education Website:http://www.waynesburg.eduWest Chester University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing Location: West Chester, Pennsylvania Programs: BSN, MSN Founded: 1871 Accreditation Body: CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education Website:http://www.wcupa.eduWidener University School of Nursing Location: Chester, Pennsylvania Programs: BSN, MSN, PhD Founded: 1821 Accreditation Body: ACEN – Accreditation Commission For Education in Nursing Website:http://www.widener.eduWilkes University School of Nursing Location: Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania Programs: BSN, MSN Founded: 1933 Accreditation Body: CCNE – Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education Website:http://www.wilkes.eduYork College of Pennsylvania School of Nursing Location: York, Pennsylvania Programs: BSN, MSN Founded: 1787 Accreditation Body: ACEN – Accreditation Commission For Education in Nursing Website:http://www.ycp.edu