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What is the Bachelor of Science in Nursing?
Established in 1965, the B.S.N. is a four-year program that combines a broad liberal arts and science foundation with an extensive range of nursing courses. Students gain experience in diverse settings such as:
- hospitals
- private practice
- long-term care
- clinics
- health care/community agencies.
Students gain experience in diverse settings such as:
- academic medical centers
- rural hospitals
- community agencies
- schools
After earning the B.S.N., students are eligible to take the national examination for licensure as a registered nurse (NCLEX).
Why choose Penn State?
Penn State's nursing faculty members are nationally recognized nurse educators, clinicians, and researchers who provide students with a strong educational, experiential, and theoretical foundation in nursing. This foundation is the basis for graduate-level study for careers as advanced practice nurses, including:
- nurse practitioners
- nurse-midwives
- clinical specialists
- nurse administrators who are educators
Penn State students have the advantage of attending a large research university while enjoying the personal interactions typical in small classes. Faculty and alumni serve as mentors to help students develop career objectives and build programs to meet those objectives.
Why major in Nursing?
Make a difference in the lives of others and have a rewarding and meaningful career, as well as opportunities for career advancement, with our Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. The opportunities are extensive, and the rewards are immeasurable.
Additionally, a four-year education helps nurses navigate the increasingly complex medical field. In its report, The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health, the Institute of Medicine recommends that 80 percent of all nurses have, at minimum, a bachelor’s degree by 2020. Hospitals applying for Magnet status employ a larger percentage of nurses with a bachelor's degree than those without. Many institutions have higher pay grades for baccalaureate-prepared nurses.
A four-year degree is also the foundation for the advanced education needed for advanced practice positions (nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, nurse midwife, nurse anesthetist) and other advanced nursing roles (administrator, educator, or researcher).
Accreditation
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master's degree program in nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice program, and post graduate APRN certificate program at The Pennsylvania State University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.
The Pennsylvania State University Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing postponed the original accreditation visit by the Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) on March 18-20, 2020 for all of Penn State’s nursing programs in alignment with the CDC and the state of Pennsylvania's coronavirus mitigation efforts.
Accreditation Update: To ensure the safety of all stakeholders, The Pennsylvania State University will be hosting a virtual accreditation visit by the CCNE on January 27-29, 2021 for all of Penn State's accredited nursing programs. Learn more about the visit >
Many U.S. states and territories require professional licensure/certification to be employed. If you plan to pursue employment in a licensed profession after completing this program, please visit the Professional Licensure/Certification Disclosures by State interactive map.