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  3. Academic Programs
A Penn State Behrend nursing student works with a human patient simulation mannequin in the nursing lab.

Nursing

The bachelor’s degree has become the desired minimum academic credential for entry-level nursing, particularly at hospitals seeking Magnet status from the American Nurses’ Credentialing Center.

A four-year education will help you navigate the complexities of the health-care field. In its Future of Nursing Report, the Institute of Medicine, which is a division of the National Academy of Sciences, recommends that 80 percent of all nurses hold a baccalaureate degree by 2020. With a bachelor’s degree you’ll enjoy higher pay scales and greater career opportunities, since the four-year degree is the foundation for the advanced education needed to become a nurse educator, nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, nurse midwife, nurse anesthetist, nurse administrator, or nurse researcher.

Why Penn State Behrend?

In our state-of-the-art Nursing Technology Lab and Simulation Center you’ll prepare for patient-care environments using high-, moderate-, and low-fidelity simulators and other task-specific trainers. These full-body adult and pediatric human patient simulation mannequins generate realistic physiological responses to illness and injury—and respond to your interventions! 

Other anatomic models help you to learn central line placement, oral tracheal intubation, placement of nasogastric tubes, tracheostomy care, peripheral IV insertion, and central line care. In these simulation labs you’ll learn and practice your patient-care skills in a low-risk, forgiving setting so that you can enter the clinical component of your training with confidence in your abilities. 

At the completion of your degree, you will be eligible to take the NCLEX, the national examination for licensure as a Registered Nurse.

Admission to the Nursing Pre-Major

The majority of Nursing students begin their studies in the Nursing Pre-Major Program (NRCOM). This most often happens when an applicant’s high school grade-point average or standardized test scores don’t meet the criteria for admission to the B.S. degree program, yet a comprehensive review of their academic record indicates readiness for college-level work. For students enrolled in NRCOM, admission to the Nursing degree program will be based on first-semester grades and other academic criteria. Admission also may depend on space availability within the program. 

Want to Learn More?

  • Frequently Asked Questions

 

Accreditation

The College of Nursing is approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing.

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, D.C. 20001; 202-887-6791.

The Pennsylvania State University 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. To learn more about the visit, read a Message from the Dean.

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.

Nursing

  • Program Overview

    • Bachelor of Science in Nursing Curriculum
  • Career Opportunities
  • Simulation Center

    • Simulation Lab Equipment
  • Nursing FAQ
  • Nursing Faculty
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  • Contact Us

See Also

  • Suggested Academic Plan
  • University Bulletin (B.S.N.)
  • B.S.N. Program Admission Information
  • Apply Now
  • Penn State College of Nursing
  • Pre-Health Professions
  • Premedical Sciences Certificate

CAMPUS COORDINATOR FOR NURSING PROGRAMS

Kimberly Streiff, D.Ed., M.S.N., CRNP, NP-C
139 Otto Behrend Science
814-898 7583
[email protected]

Apply Now
Learn More
A Penn State Behrend nursing student participates in a lab simulation, using the lab telephone.
Play Video

Nursing at Penn State Behrend

Penn State Behrend graduate Abraham Berhane stands in front of Glenhill Farmhouse.

Behrend graduate brings unique perspective to nursing work

Penn State Behrend

4701 College Drive
Erie, PA 16563
814-898-6000
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Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, offers the learning opportunities of a major research university in a welcoming, student-centered campus environment.
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