Associate Degree, Nursing
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I go to school part time or
full time?
Students can take
courses part time or full time in any course sequence as long as
pre-requisite coures are met. However, nursing courses must
be taken in semester sequence and pre-requisites for courses must be
fulfilled prior to enrollment.
When will my clinical hours be
scheduled?
In addition to classroom study, students are
scheduled clinical hours in the nursing lab, and in health care agencies
in the Erie area. Students will be scheduled 12 to 15 clinical hours per
week.
Clinical hours will vary according to the course requirements and may occur in the day, afternoon, evening and weekend. This schedule is dependent on the availability of clinical agencies availability and course requirements. Students will be given an opportunity to choose clinical times that accommodate their other course work and personal needs.
Where will clinical experience be
held?
Penn State Behrend is committed to offering
students quality clinical experiences. As part of that commitment,
the campus will have a state of the art nursing lab and simulation center
for nursing students to establish competencies in nursing skills and
critical thinking. Students will also spend a significant amount of
time with supervised experience in direct patient care at all the major
health care providers in the Erie area.
I have a BS degree in another
major. Is there a way to complete a BS in nursing?
Yes, however, you must complete the A.D. nursing
requirements to obtain an R.N. license first. You can then finish
the BS degree either full time or part time through Penn States RN/BS
curriculum.
It is likely that many of your credits from your first baccalaureate degree will apply to your BS in nursing. However, each situation is unique so it is recommended that you call 898-6103 to set up an appointment with the nursing program advisor to discuss your individual situation. You may also visit the Penn State School of Nursing web site for additional information.
What will it take to complete a BS
degree in nursing at Penn State after I graduate with the A.D. in
nursing?
You can begin immediately upon graduation
requesting admission to the RN/BS nursing program. You can start
taking additional general education credits towards your baccalaureate
degree in nursing and once you become an RN you can enroll in the RN/BS
nursing courses.
There is an additional 28 credits in nursing required for the baccalaureate degree. Of these 28 credits,. 4 credits are devoted to clinical experiences which are developed collaboratively with the student and instructor to meet the individual student learning needs.
What courses will transfer from other
academic institutions?
Penn State accepts many
credits from other colleges and Universities. Please refer to the
Penn State Admissions home
page link that discusses credit transfer policies.
Can I start taking classes
now?
Yes, you can take any course as a non-degree
student or as a student in the division of undergraduate studies while you
are submitting an application to the nursing program. Non-degree
students may take up to 18 credits until they are admitted in to a
program. Note that your application to nursing will follow the same
academic evaluation for admission as outlined in the admission
requirements section.
What courses can I start
taking?
The courses you need for the degree are
listed in the nursing program website. Any non nursing course can be
taken. Many courses are the same or but have different names.
You may erroneously take a class you already have so you need to
cautious. If you have courses from another University or College,
contact our Admission
office or the Division of
Undergraduate Studies to speak to an advisor prior to registration to
determine if you are still need a particular course.
I am already an R.N. What will it take to complete a BS degree in nursing at Penn State ?As an RN you can enroll in the RN/BS program. This will require some additional general education courses and a specialized curriculum for the RN student. There is an additional 28 credits in nursing. Of these 28 credits,. 4 credits are clinical experience which is developed collaboratively with the student and instructor to meet the individual student learning needs. Interested students can contact the Center for Adult Students or the Nursing Program Office at 814-898-6103 for additional information.
Are there scholarships available for nursing students?
Yes!! Please feel free to browse the following links to scholarship opportunities and information:
Scholarship for First-Year Nursing Students