Penn State Rn To Bsn (2024)

FAQs

Does Penn State have a RN to BSN program? ›

The RN to BSN program is offered at 4 residential campuses and online through Penn State World Campus.

This intensive pre-licensure program is offered in a cohort format (all cohorts start in the fall semester) and requires sixteen months to complete. Students take 14–17 credits per semester for a total of 60 credits.

No transfer admission to Penn State University Park. The General Nursing option admits applicants as first year students only and is not available for transfer admission.

Admission is competitive and requires a strong high-school GPA. The B.S.N.

The acceptance rate for the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, for example, is 25%, according to Ivy Scholars. While that is significantly higher than the school's overall 9% acceptance rate, it still makes it one of the more difficult nursing programs in the U.S. to get into.

— The Penn State College of Nursing moved up six places to the 24th spot on the U.S. News & World Report annual ranking of nursing graduate programs for on-site master's degree programs. Penn State tied with University of California–Davis for the No. 24 spot in U.S. News' 2022 "Best Graduate Schools" rankings.

One of the major benefits of enrollment in an accelerated nursing program is the completion timeline. Nursing is a career that has flexibility in terms of role and schedule, and an accelerated educational program can expand your opportunities in a short amount of time.

The national average first-time NCLEX pass rate in 2023 is 89% while the Penn State rate is 97%.

How much is Penn State tuition for nursing? ›

There are two ways to enter the General Nursing Option:

2) Apply as a transfer or change-of-major student for the Entrance to Major Review. Transfer or Penn State change of major students may apply through a competitive process at six Penn State campuses: Altoona, Erie, Fayette, Mont Alto, Scranton, or Schuylkill.

Smeal is by far the hardest to get into. Most students would be better off applying DUS then, if they get the required stats (specific grades in some classes, overall GPA) can get into Smeal for their major.

University of Massachusetts Amherst. The nursing program at the University of Massachusetts Amherst is an incredibly competitive one, with a 10% acceptance rate. On average, only 64 students are admitted into the program each year, which keeps class sizes small and allows for more personalized instruction.

The Buckeye State actually takes the cake as the longest state to get licensed in, on average, and with attractive Midwestern cities like Cincinnati, Columbus, and Cleveland, many nurses in the surrounding states (and beyond) go through Ohio's long licensure process.

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) General Option is a 4-year program that combines foundational science and liberal arts courses with nursing courses that include hands-on experience in clinical settings. Graduates are prepared to sit for the national exam (NCLEX-RN) for licensure as registered nurses.

High school students interested in the Penn Nursing's BSN program, may apply through Penn's central undergraduate admissions office. If possible, we suggest you schedule a campus visit to experience first-hand the opportunities available at Penn.