Even though Pennsylvania has 130,930 licensed RNs, the projected future nursing shortage in the state is expected to be huge. According to the Health Resources Service Administration, Pennsylvania will require an additional 54,000 RNs by 2020 to meet the anticipated need. Nationally, well over half a million additional RNs are needed. Registered nursing will be the fasted growing occupation in the U.S. until at least 2018, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) says.
While the National Advisory Council on Nurse Education and Practice advocates that at least two-thirds of practicing RNs should hold a BSN degree or higher, only 36 to 37 percent of RNs have a BSN. A recent AACN survey shows that RNs with BSN degrees are more likely to find jobs at graduation than those without.
Programs to consider:
- Chatham University (Pittsburgh). Students may select from part time tracks (usually two classes per semester) or full-time tracks (three to four classes per semester). Three courses have clinical components in addition to classroom work: community and environmental health nursing; underserved populations; and a nursing practicum which can be completed in the student's workplace.
- Pennsylvania State University (University Park). Students may study full-time or part-time at 10 Penn State campuses. An entirely online program is offered through Penn State World Campus. Students also may select from a combination of campus-based and online classes. Requirements for the RN to BSN programs may vary at the different campuses.
- La Salle University (Philadelphia). La Salle's RN to BSN program is fully online and allows students to move through the program at their own pace, accessing course materials at their convenience. Faculty members offer chat rooms and live virtual classroom meetings. Nursing courses can be completed in 13 months and there is no clinical requirement.
Listed below are all of the nationally accredited RN to BSN programs with campus locations in Pennsylvania.
 Drexel University
Campus Location(s): Philadelphia, PAAccreditation: CCNE accredited, NLNAC accreditedPrograms:
RN-BSN Program |
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 Gannon University
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Alvernia University (Reading, PA)
Program Name: RN-BSN Completion Program
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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California University of Pennsylvania (California, PA)
Program Name: RN-BSN Program
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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Carlow University (Pittsburgh, PA)
Program Name: RN to BSN Program
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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Cedar Crest College (Allentown, PA)
Program Name: Bachelor of Science in Nursing Completion for RNs Program
Accreditation: NLNAC accredited
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Chatham University (Pittsburgh, PA)
Program Name: RN-to-Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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Clarion University (Oil City, PA)
Program Name: Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program (online)
Accreditation: NLNAC accredited
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DeSales University (Center Valley, PA)
Program Name: RN-to-BSN Program (online)
Accreditation: NLNAC accredited
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East Stroudsburg University (East Stroudsburg, PA)
Program Name: RN to BSN
Accreditation: NLNAC accredited
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Eastern Mennonite University (Lancaster, PA)
Program Name: RN to BSN Program
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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Eastern University (Saint Davids, PA)
Program Name: RN to BSN Program
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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Edinboro University of Pennsylvania (Edinboro, PA)
Program Name: RN-BSN Program (online)
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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Gwynedd-Mercy College (Fort Washington, PA)
Program Name: Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program
Accreditation: NLNAC accredited
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Holy Family University (Philadelphia, PA)
Program Name: Accelerated RN to BSN Program
Accreditation: CCNE accredited, NLNAC accredited
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Immaculata University (Immaculata, PA)
Program Name: Accelerated RN-BSN Program
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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Indiana University of Pennsylvania (Indiana, PA)
Program Name: BS in Nursing Program
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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La Roche College (Pittsburgh, PA)
Program Name: RN-BSN Degree Completion Program
Accreditation: NLNAC accredited
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La Salle University (Philadelphia, PA)
Program Name: RN-BSN to MSN
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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Mansfield University of Pennsylvania (Mansfield, PA)
Program Name: RN to BSN Degree Completion Program (online)
Accreditation: NLNAC accredited
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Marywood University (Scranton, PA)
Program Name: Advanced Placement for RNs Program
Accreditation: NLNAC accredited
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Millersville University (Millersville, PA)
Program Name: Bachelors Degree in Nursing Program
Accreditation: NLNAC accredited
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Misericordia University (Dallas, PA)
Program Name: RN to BSN Program
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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Moravian College & Theological Seminary (Bethlehem, PA)
Program Name: BS in Nursing
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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Mount Aloysius College (Cresson, PA)
Program Name: RN to BSN Program
Accreditation: NLNAC accredited
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Neumann University (Aston, PA)
Program Name: RN to BS Program
Accreditation: NLNAC accredited
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Pennsylvania College of Technology (Williamsport, PA)
Program Name: BSN Program (online)
Accreditation: NLNAC accredited
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Pennsylvania State University (University Park, PA)
Program Name: RN to BS Option Program, RN to BS Program (online)
Accreditation: CCNE accredited, NLNAC accredited
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Saint Francis University (Loretto, PA)
Program Name: RN to BSN Program
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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Slippery Rock University (Slippery Rock, PA)
Program Name: RN to BSN Program
Accreditation: NLNAC accredited
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Temple University (Philadelphia, PA)
Program Name: RN-BSN Completion Program (online)
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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Thomas Jefferson University (Philadelphia, PA)
Program Name: RN-BSN Program
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA)
Program Name: RN Return Program
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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University of Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh, PA)
Program Name: RN Options Program
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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University of Pittsburgh-Bradford (Bradford, PA)
Program Name: RN-BSN Program
Accreditation: NLNAC accredited
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University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown (Johnstown, PA)
Program Name: RN Options
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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University of Scranton (Scranton, PA)
Program Name: RN to BS in Nursing Track
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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Villanova University (Villanova, PA)
Program Name: BSN/MSN Gateway
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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Waynesburg University (Waynesburg, PA)
Program Name: RN to BSN Program
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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West Chester University of Pennsylvania (West Chester, PA)
Program Name: BSN for the RN Program
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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Widener University (Chester, PA)
Program Name: RN/BSN Program (online)
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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York College of Pennsylvania (York, PA)
Program Name: RN to BS Program
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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