The Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing prepares students to become professional practitioners in areas of health promotion and maintenance, illness care, and rehabilitation. After earning this degree in Nursing, students are qualified to take the registered nurse examination for licensure by the State Board of Nursing.
Starting at Penn State DuBois was the best decision that I have made for my education. Many of my first year classes were smaller, which provided a lot of one-on-one opportunities with my professors. The faculty at DuBois is amazing and I was very successful in my studies there. Everyone was extremely pleasant and always willing to lend a helping hand whether it was a professor with an assignment I needed some help on, my advisor lending any guidance and advice for the upcoming semester, or even the librarian aiding in a research paper. Starting at Penn State DuBois has paved a smooth path for the rest of my journey ahead. I have gained the skills necessary to complete my degree but without the extra stress of attending a larger campus at first. I now have top quality studying skills, and a good attitude about the faculty and staff at my next destination. I just want to stress how amazing the faculty was at DuBois. My advisor was more than willing to sit down with me and help with any questions I had regarding my transition. I must say that I feel lucky to have started at DuBois, I now have a Penn State family there of faculty and friends and I will be starting another one here soon.
-Rachel Jo Hoover, Nursing '17
Students interested in starting their Penn State Nursing Degree at Penn State DuBois can be accepted into pre major status as NRCOM at Penn State DuBois.
NRCOM students will complete their first two semesters of course work at the DuBois Campus, and then transition to one of the five Commonwealth Campuses to continue their Nursing education.
In your first semester, you would take Introductory Physiology with a Lab, Introductory Psychology, English Composition and could choose two electives, one in Humanities (GH) and/or one in the Arts (GA).
The second semester could comprise of courses in Mammalian Anatomy, Introduction to Human Development and Family Studies, Introductory Principles of Nutrition, Effective Speech Communications, and a Math course.
Controls to the Nursing Major
In fall 2015, previous and current Penn State students and transfer students will be considered for the Commonwealth Campus B.S. programs. The general (four-year) B.S. program in Nursing is currently offered at Altoona, Behrend (Erie), Fayette, Mont Alto, and Worthington Scranton. Non-nursing students may not transfer or change major into the 4-year nursing program at University Park, but will be considered through a competitive review process for admission (beginning fall 2015) at the 5 other campuses offering the General Nursing program.
Beginning in fall 2014, the general (four-year) B.S. program in Nursing will be open to incoming first-year students at the Altoona, Behrend (Erie), Fayette, Mont Alto, and Worthington Scranton campuses as well as University Park. Students must start and remain all four years at the campus to which they are admitted (University Park students will spend one academic year at the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center). So if you begin or transition to the Altoona campus, for example, you would need to stay and complete your Nursing degree at Penn State Altoona. You can not transition again to another campus with Nursing, such as going from Altoona to Fayette.
Interested in a career in healthcare? Complete these at DuBois campus...
Become an Occupational Therapy Assistant or a Physical Therapist Assistant
Is it the same degree?
University Park vs. Commonwealth Campuses?
Whether you earn your B.S. in Nursing degree from University Park or at a Commonwealth Campus, the B.S. program in Nursing at the Pennsylvania State University is the same high quality education no matter where you start and finish! Geographic dispersion helps the College of Nursing extend their offerings to students across the state and to positively influence the health of the citizens of the Commonwealth, even in the most rural areas. The beauty of the system is that wherever you choose to study, you are a part of Penn State University and all that it represents!
A.S. program in Nursing transitioning to B.S. program in Nursing
Penn State is transitioning the associate of science (A.S.) degree to a baccalaureate of science (B.S.) degree in Nursing at the Altoona, Erie, Fayette, Mont Alto, and Worthington Scranton campuses. The national picture of nursing education is changing. As a leader in the field, Penn State is transitioning the associate of science (A.S.) degree to a baccalaureate of science (B.S.) degree in Nursing at the Altoona, Erie, Fayette, Mont Alto, and Worthington Scranton campuses. This transition aligns with the future of nursing practice and projected employment patterns. Click here for more information.
Baccalaureate Program (B.S.) Program in Nursing
The B.S. 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 B.S., students are eligible to take the national examination for licensure as registered nurses (NCLEX).
Clinical Experiences
Nursing students participate in approximately 900 hours of diverse and educationally rewarding clinical experiences (click on the clinical site links). Nursing students spend one year (either junior or senior year) at the Hershey Medical Center Campus (see Student Handbook for exceptions to this policy). Clinical facilities are located within a 50 mile radius of University Park or Hershey. Clinical Experiences at the College of Nursing.
NCLEX
After earning a B.S., students are eligible to take the national examination for licensure as registered nurses (NCLEX). Overall there is a 96% NCLEX pass rate for 2012 (100% for second-degree students)
Click here for full B.S. degree information>>>
Start your Nursing degree at Penn State DuBois
Contact Admissions to apply and to learn more about the 1+3>>>
One-Stop Help at Penn State DuBois
Interested in a career in healthcare? Complete these at DuBois campus...
Become an Occupational Therapy Assistant or a Physical Therapist Assistant
Already an RN?
Consider the RN to B.S. Option in Nursing
The program makes it possible for registered nurses to earn a B.S. degree through full- or part-time study while maintaining personal and employment responsibilities. The RN to B.S. degree program is delivered by Penn State Altoona at Penn State DuBois and Penn State in St. Marys! Earn your bachelor of science (B.S.) degree in 16 months and classes meet one day a week on the same day for the entire program.
