RN Programs in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania RN Programs at a Glance
RN Programs Offered in Pennsylvania
- ADN Programs: 31
- BSN Programs: 57
ADN Program Stats
- NCLEX-RN Average: 84%
- NCLEX Rate Range: 67% to 94%
- Average Net-Price $13,284.06
- Net-Price Range: $2,530.00 to $23,801.00
- Average Student Loan: $15,627.39
BSN Program Stats
- NCLEX-RN Average: 89%
- NCLEX Rate Range: 79% to 99%
- Average Net-Price $20,668.88
- Net-Price Range: $12,123.00 to $36,049.00
- Average Student Loan: $23,664.05
Pennsylvania RN Program Guide
Nursing requires a certain level of scientific expertise, compassion, and hands-on skills. Now is a great time for registered nurses to pursue higher education and obtain a bachelor’s of science in nursing degree. Nurses will be able complete programs both online and in a traditional campus setting. With the healthcare reform, advanced medical interventions, and preventative medicine, the role of registered nurses is expanding. Education beyond an associate’s degree is necessary for nurses to achieve optimal patient care. There have been many stories about how hospitals require nurses to have their BSN and give preference to those who do.
In our Pennsylvania RN program guide, you will find both ADN and BSN Degree program rankings, tuition costs, enrollment information, NCLEX passing rates, and more. You will find key Pennsylvania RN Program information to help you compare programs metrics and apply to best RN program(s) for the advancement of your career.
The State of Pennsylvania offers 76 RN programs in 58 different cities. Public institutions offer 41 of the RN programs in the state while there are 0 private, for-profit and 35 private, not-for-profit schools that make up the rest.
In the State of Pennsylvania, nurses are helping to change the face of healthcare. To ensure that they have the best education and preparation for future health care challenges, registered nurses need to graduate from a state-approved associate’s degree in nursing program or a BSN degree program.
Nurses who graduate from an RN program are able to then obtain certification in over 100 nursing specialties.
Find your ideal program from information and data in our guide to Pennsylvania RN Programs.
ADN Programs in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania community colleges offer a variety of nursing program; most offer RN programs. There are some that even offer bridge programs to local universities, where LPNs and RNs can either attend both schools simultaneously or attend for their BSN shortly after graduation. These options make it very easy for Pennsylvania nurses to advance their degrees.
NCLEX Passing Rates for Pennsylvania ADN Programs
University of Pittsburgh-Bradford has the highest NCLEX-RN rate in Pennsylvania of 93.63%. Attending this stellar school will cost you about $15,613.00 a year.
- ADN Programs Offered in Pennsylvania: 31
- Average NCLEX-RN Passing Rate: 83.74%
- NCLEX Passing Rate Range: 66.56% to 93.63%
How Much Do ADN Programs Cost in Pennsylvania?
We compiled the net-price costs for RN Programs in Pennsylvania so that you can find RN programs to meet your budget expectations.
When comparing ADN vs BSN programs, the average net-price per year for an Associate Degree in Nursing program is considerably less than for a Bachelor Degree in Nursing.
The lowest cost ADN program in Pennsylvania is offered by Westmoreland County Community College at about $2,530.00 and has an average NCLEX-RN passing rate of 83.10%. The highest cost ADN program is offered by Gwynedd Mercy University and it will cost about $23,801.00 and has an average NCLEX-RN passing rate of 79.90%.
- Average Net-Price for ADN Programs inPennsylvania: $13,284.06
- Net-Price Range for Pennsylvania ADN Programs: $2,530.00 to $23,801.00
Median Student Borrowing for ADN Programs
- Average Student Borrowing for Pennsylvania Schools: $15,627.39
- Student borrowing range for ADN programs in Pennsylvania: $5,100.00 to $25,000.00
ADN Programs at Public or Private Institutions
- Public Institutions: 25
- Private For-Profit Institutions: 0
- Private Not-for-Profit Institutions: 6
BSN Programs in Pennsylvania
Nurses are encouraged to seek out information from multiple schools in order to ensure they find the program that best fits their needs. BSN programs in Pennsylvania are designed to help nurses advance their diagnostic reasoning, health assessment skills, leadership abilities, and management strategies. Courses in a typical BSN program may include (but are not limited to):
- Health policies and professional issues
- Effective nursing management, leadership, and mentoring
- Baccalaureate nursing practice
- Cultural diversity and public health
- Health policies and professional issues
A program can typically be completed in 20 months. There is also a clinical practicum required that consists of 15-20 weeks of a full time class.
NCLEX Passing Rates for Pennsylvania BSN Programs
Waynesburg University wins the highest NCLEX-RN passing rate for BSN programs offered in Pennsylvania with a score of 99.28%. Attending this influential program will cost you about $16,768.00 a year.
- BSN Programs Offered in Pennsylvania: 57
- Average NCLEX-RN Passing Rate: 88.58%
- NCLEX Passing Rate Range: 78.90% to 99.28%
How Much Do BSN Degree Programs Cost in Pennsylvania?
We compiled the net-price costs for BSN Programs in Pennsylvania to give you an idea of how much nursing school will cost.
The lowest cost BSN degree program in Pennsylvania is offered by Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Abington and will cost you about $12,123.00 and has an average NCLEX-RN passing rate of N/A*%. The highest cost BSN degree program is offered by Drexel University and will cost you about $36,049.00 and it has an average NCLEX-RN passing rate of 97.12%.
- Average Net-Price for BSN Programs in Pennsylvania: $20,668.88
- Net-Price Range for Pennsylvania BSN Programs: $12,123.00 to $36,049.00
Median Student Borrowing for BSN Programs
- Average Student Borrowing for Pennsylvania Schools: $23,664.05
- Student borrowing range for BSN programs in Pennsylvania: $17,500.00 to $28,000.00
BSN Programs at Public or Private Institutions
- Public Institutions: 26
- Private For-Profit Institutions: 0
- Private Not-for-Profit Institutions: 31
MSN Programs in Pennsylvania
RNs who wish to become advanced practice registered nurses will want to pursue any number of avenues to earn Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. Earning a Master of Science in Nursing consists of graduate-level coursework and clinical practice for those nurses who wish to direct patient roles such as a nurse practitioner. You can also pursue indirect patient roles such as teaching or leadership roles, or become involved in policy, state-wide health initiatives or community engagement. There are many clinical and non-clinical avenues that an RN with MSN can pursue.
Learn how to become a Nurse Practitioner (NP) and research schools in Pennsylvania offering the following high paying nurse practitioner specialties:
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
- Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
Learn about Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Degree.
Pennsylvania RN Licensing Requirements
Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing
PO Box 2649
Harrisburg, PA 17105-2649
(717) 783-7142
Fees:
Initial licensing fee, RN: $35
License renewal (every two years), RN: $65; LPN: $60
Continuing Education Requirements:
RNs: 30 contact hours every renewal period; LPNs: None
RN Licensure by Exams
After completing an approved nursing program, nursing candidates will submit an application to the board. Temporary practice permits can be issued to graduates who apply within a year after graduation. Nurses working under a temporary permit must be under direct supervision of an experienced registered nurse. In addition to the application, candidates must also provide transcripts, and in some cases, verification of program completion. There is a $35 fee for the materials to be processed and an addition $35 for a temporary permit if the candidate wishes to have one. There is a $200 fee that will be paid to Pearson VUE, the company that runs the NCLEX exam. Results will be sent to the examinees within 2-30 days. There is a 45-day waiting period for candidates who wish to retake the NCLEX. The candidate will then need to reapply and pay additional fees.
RN Licensure by Endorsement
Registered nurses who obtained licensure in one of the other fifty states will need to complete the requirements as stated above in addition to paying a $100 fee.
RN License for Nurses Educated Abroad
Nurses who have been educated in a country outside of the United States and have not taken the NCLEX must apply for CGNFS certification before applying for licensure. Upon receiving certification, candidates may apply to the Pennsylvania Board using the appropriate application online. Nurses must also register to take the NCLEX exam through the Pearson VUE website.
RN Salaries in Pennsylvania
There are many opportunities in hospitals, home health, and non-hospital work environments for registered nurses in Pennsylvania. Positions available to baccalaureate prepared nurses include:
- Informatics works such as ICUs, maternity wards, cardiac care, and emergency departments
- Nursing administrators and directors
- Mental health
- Nurse researchers
There are approximately 130,000 nurses licensed nurses in the state of Pennsylvania. Despite this, there is a huge shortage expected within the state. Pennsylvania will need an additional 54,000 registered nurses by the year 2020 to meet this great need. Nursing is predicted to be the fastest-growing occupation so now is a better time than ever to become a registered nurse.
Pennsylvania Registered Nursing Salaries
The Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington Metropolitan area has the highest employment rate of registered nurses as well as the highest hourly mean wage and annual median wage.
| Area name | Employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual median wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | 8,350 | $31.76 | $64,670 |
| Erie, PA | 3,100 | $27.49 | $55,320 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | 7,050 | $31.73 | $63,590 |
| Johnstown, PA | 1,810 | $29.87 | $62,860 |
| Lancaster, PA | 3,290 | $32.98 | $65,270 |
| Lebanon, PA | 910 | $31.84 | $66,440 |
| Philadelphia, PA Metropolitan Division | 43,040 | $35.66 | $74,030 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 62,750 | $35.68 | $74,140 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 30,410 | $30.03 | $61,220 |
| Reading, PA | 3,510 | $29.35 | $59,940 |
| Scranton–Wilkes-Barre, PA | 5,690 | $28.44 | $58,700 |
| State College, PA | 1,090 | $28.68 | $61,810 |
| Williamsport, PA | 1,100 | $31.60 | $65,850 |
| York-Hanover, PA | 3,450 | $32.91 | $67,880 |
| Far Western Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area | 2,980 | $27.24 | $56,850 |
| West Central Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area | 2,740 | $27.13 | $56,300 |
| Northeastern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area | 2,640 | $30.82 | $64,380 |
| East Central Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area | 5,330 | $30.47 | $63,960 |
Source: http://www.dol.gov/, 2014 Data
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