Accelerated BSN Programs at Pennsylvania Nursing Schools
An Accelerated Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing program in Pennsylvania can last up to 18 months and offers one of the fastest routes to becoming a Registered Nurse. The state of Pennsylvania has a variety of schools that offer accelerated nursing programs, and we have compiled them here to save you the time of searching any further.
Many of the online accelerated BSN nursing programs are gaining momentum in popularity due to the ability to fit in course study when it’s convenient for students, especially those working full time. We have organized these schools into our featured schools box, as many second degree BSN students are looking for this option. To learn more about any of the programs and schools on this page, simply submit a request for information.
Summary of Accelerated BSN Programs in Pennsylvania
The accelerated BSN programs in Pennsylvania are an innovative approach to assist students with a four-year degree in other fields get a BSN in a short period of time. Students are given academic credit for previous lower level graduate work in general classes like the social sciences and mathematics. The course program is intense and centered around nursing classes, including practicums and labs.
The goal is to prepare students to pass the NCLEX and secure an RN position in the healthcare industry. After passing the exam and attaining licensure, all RN’s in Pennsylvania are required to complete 30 hours of board approved continuing education courses during biennial renewal periods according to the Pennsylvania Nursing Board. The second degree BSN program is a broad-scope degree and also prepares RNs for research, teaching, consulting and administrative positions. Other career options include working at pharmaceutical companies and insurance firms.
There are several factors that determine admission to an accelerated BSN program in Pennsylvania. Students must have an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution. In addition, all of the schools in Pennsylvania require a list of specific prerequisites. Typical prerequisites include college classes in physiology, anatomy, algebra and microbiology. For convenience, many schools offer prerequisite courses on a regular basis.
Curriculum of Accelerated BSN Programs in Pennsylvania
The curriculum of a second degree BSN program is designed around specific nursing topics. Common classes include:
- Nursing Statistics
- Healthcare Management
- Pharmacology
- Nurse Leadership
- Research Design and Methods
- Nursing Assessment and Care Planning
The curriculum for an accelerated BSN program also includes a practicum in a clinical setting. It is a requirement for those who attend traditional schools and online BSN programs. The practicums are designed to give up-and-coming nurses the opportunity to apply learned knowledge in real-world settings. Caring for patients will be a major portion of the work you will perform as a nurse, making the clinical learning highly important.
Job Outlook, Positions and Salary for Nurses in PA
Many Registered Nurses in Pennsylvania start out as staff nurses in hospitals, while others prefer to find employment in community agencies and public health organizations. Still others find themselves in nursing homes, medical clinics, schools and home healthcare. Many RNs attain specialty degrees after practicing for some time, becoming nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists and nurse midwives. There are many options available for expansion within the nursing profession, making it one of the most diverse career tracks in the nation. Now that you are ready to pursue your second degree, we applaud you for looking into an accelerated BSN program.
Pennsylvania nurses enjoy a median annual salary of $63,600, and enjoy the supports of the Pennsylvania State Nurses Association (PSNA), which represents the state’s 136,000 RNs (O*net, 2013). Founded in 1903, the PSNA is currently working on the introduction of a safe staffing bill (HB 1631), and supports state legislative issues involving the recognition of nurse anesthetists (CRNA) in the state, expanded supports of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses, and other legislative issues that impact public health and the nursing profession. It is important that nurses unite their voices together to positively impact the health of communities, and nursing organizations in PA, and across the nation, help do just that.
