What career opportunities might I have upon completion of the program?
Graduates of the baccalaureate nursing program have a vast array of employment opportunities. Employment settings include trauma centers, community hospitals, home health agencies, rehabilitation centers, long-term care facilities, hospice agencies, schools, industrial and organizational settings, and the military.
In addition, a bachelor’s degree is required to pursue an advanced degree in nursing, which prepares the nurse for roles such as nurse educator, nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, nurse midwife, nurse anesthetist, nurse administrator, and nurse researcher. The nursing profession encompasses opportunities for lifelong and rewarding careers.
Can I continue working while enrolled in this program?
Because the Second Degree option is a full-time, academically rigorous program, we recommend that students limit outside obligations. If you plan to work during the program, it will need to be flexible to work with your school schedule. Our most successful students are able to focus exclusively on their studies for the entire sixteen months.
What is the difference between the Second Degree option and the accelerated RN to BSN option?
The Second Degree program is for individuals who already have a baccalaureate degree in another (non-nursing) field to obtain a BSN degree in sixteen months (fall, spring, summer, and fall semesters). Prerequisite courses must be completed prior to admission. The Second Degree program is available at the Altoona and Harrisburg campuses.
The accelerated option is an RN to BSN program designed to help current RNs earn their BSN degrees as quickly as possible. Certain Nursing courses are offered each semester over seven-week sessions rather than the traditional length of fifteen weeks. Courses in this format may be available at the Abington, Altoona, Erie (Behrend), Fayette (Eberly), Harrisburg, New Kensington, Schuylkill, Shenango, and Scranton campuses, as well as online through Penn State World Campus.
May I apply to multiple locations, or must I choose one?
On the departmental application, which is typically the first step in the application process for all applicants, you will need to select one of the three locations: Harrisburg, Altoona, or Behrend. If the location you choose is not able to offer you a spot, then you may be asked if you wish to consider another location that may have openings.
How many students are accepted in each cohort?
Admission to this program is very competitive, and the applicant pool is typically large. The number accepted varies each year at each location and is often contingent on available spots in clinical agencies. Please work with your location of choice to learn their anticipated range of accepted students for the upcoming cycle.
What makes me a competitive applicant for admission?
Students who have completed all prerequisite content areas, have a competitive GPA, and who have graduated by the preceding fall semester are most competitive for admission in the upcoming fall semester.
What do I do if I won’t be finished with the prerequisite courses or my first bachelor’s degree before the December 1 deadline?
Applicants who will complete their course work after the December 1 deadline must submit official transcripts (excluding Penn State) immediately upon course completion to Undergraduate Admissions AND an unofficial copy by email to the Nursing program office at the campus to which you are applying. Additionally, students who are taking classes in the upcoming spring semester must email a copy of your spring schedule (or an unofficial transcript showing scheduled coursework) to the Nursing contact at your preferred location no later than the third week of December.
When will I be notified of my admission decision?
Successful applicants with all prerequisite criteria met by the end of the fall application semester will receive an immediate offer. Successful students with pending course work or spring graduation may receive a “contingent offer.” Students who receive a contingent offer will receive an immediate offer in May if all criteria are met on the timeline and standards set by the Review Committee. Be sure to regularly check the email address you provide on your application or reenrollment.
What are my options if I’m not accepted?
Applicants who are denied admission are permitted to reapply for the next cohort. You may want to consider retaking some of the prerequisite courses if you feel that doing so would increase your GPA.
