An Associates Degree in Nursing provides students with a solid foundation of the nursing field to work as registered nurses, and earning your Associates Degree in Nursing in Pennsylvania is possible through the information you will learn in this article. The programs last two years and include instruction in lecture formats, laboratory work, and clinical experiences in actual medical settings. Common coursework includes general education courses and core nursing courses in anatomy and physiology, nutrition, human growth and development, pharmacology, clinical nursing, and nursing ethics. Students who complete an Associates Degree in Nursing are prepared to take the National Council Licensure Examination-Registered Nurse, commonly known as the NCLEX-RN. Three leading institutions offering programs to earn your Associates Degree in Nursing in Pennsylvania include Pennsylvania State University, Pennsylvania College of Technology, and the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford.
Details about Associates Degree in Nursing in Pennsylvania Degree Programs
The Associates Degree in Nursing at Pennsylvania State University is available at five campuses and the program strives to provide qualified nurses to regions of the state that are medically underserved. The nursing school offers a recently renovated Nursing Simulation Laboratory that provides students with hands-on clinical experiences. The laboratory includes a three-room primary care suite, an intensive care unit, maternity room, pediatric room, and fundamentals area. High-tech mannequins are used to simulate medical conditions that are likely to be seen in actual care environments. The school encourages students to advance their education in nursing and pursue bachelor’s or graduate degree programs. Pennsylvania State University offers a variety of financial assistance programs including scholarships, grants, and low-interest student loans. Specific scholarships are available for nursing students through the School of Nursing, such as the HRSA Nursing Student Scholarships.
While researching what will work best for you to earn your Associates Degree in Nursing in Pennsylvania, you should look into Pennsylvania College of Technology. Pennsylvania College of Technology’s Associates Degree in Nursing program prepares students to become beginning staff nurses and educators to consumers regarding common health topics. Graduates of the program have the ability to practice professional nursing roles, manage patient-centered care, and demonstrate effective types of communication with patients, support individuals, and other health care professionals. The program requires students to purchase specialized equipment to complete hands-on components of the degree. The college also offers advanced placement for individuals who are qualified licensed practical nurses. Pennsylvania College of Technology offers financial aid to the majority of its students; in fact, about four out of five students attending the school receive some type of financial assistance. It offers specialized scholarship opportunities for nursing majors, including the Barbara Peterson Memorial Scholarship and Williamsport Rotary Club Scholarship.
The Associates Degree in Nursing at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford enables students to learn about many different nursing specialties, including medical-surgical, psychiatric, maternal-child, and community nursing. Students gain practical learning experiences on computerized mannequins and at various health care facilities throughout the area. Students also have the ability to take an active stance in their education because the student to faculty ratio is low at about 10:1. The program grants advanced standing for students who are licensed practical nurses. The University of Pittsburgh offers various financial aid opportunities to students. An example of a scholarship opportunity available specifically for nursing students is the Bazzoui Associate Degree in Nursing Scholarship.
Nursing is an in-demand field in the state of Pennsylvania and registered nurses are vital members of healthcare teams. Examples of major hospital employers of registered nurses include Pennsylvania Hospital, the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, and the Western Pennsylvania Hospital. You will find no shortage of jobs once you earn your Associates Degree in Nursing in Pennsylvania.
