Nursing (NURN)

Click here for program requirements as listed in Penn State's Undergraduate Degree Programs Bulletin.

This major prepares registered nurses as professional practitioners in areas of health promotion and maintenance, illness care, and rehabilitation. The major in Nursing is accredited by The National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC), 61 Broadway, New York, NY 10006, 212-363-5555, Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Part-time and full-time students with a registered nurse license may enroll in the major at Penn State Harrisburg.

Senate legislation 42-97 Credit by Portfolio Assessment enables students to receive credit for certain prescribed Nursing courses. Students must carry liability insurance and have an annual health examination, and be certified in adult and child CPR when enrolled in any clinical courses. Students also are responsible for their own transportation to clinical settings and may need the use of a car. Criminal background and child abuse history clearances are required.

For the B.S. degree in Nursing, a minimum of 120 credits is required.

Opportunities in Nursing

Career Opportunities

The School of Nursing of The Pennsylvania State University offers the Registered Nurse the opportunity to earn a baccalaureate degree in Nursing at Penn State Harrisburg. The 120-credit curriculum is fully accredited by the NLNAC, 61 Broadway, New York, NY, 10006, 212-363-5555. The RN/BS option can assist students in enhancing their nursing education to help meet changes in the health care field. It is designed for Registered Nurses from either an associate degree program or a diploma from a nursing school.

Flexible Options

The RN/BS option provides opportunities for the student to identify clinical experiences and to meet personal and professional needs. Students can earn up to 33 credits by portfolio or verification, if School of Nursing criteria are met. Students may also transfer courses of C or better earned at other accredited institutions. Other options for earning credits include CLEP Exams and distance education.

Job Settings

The Occupational Outlook Handbook for 2000 reports that nursing is the largest health care occupation, with more than 2 million jobs. Specific places registered nurses may work include hospitals, nursing homes and clinics, health maintenance organizations, private offices and clinics of doctors and dental surgeons, private and public schools and colleges, government agencies, insurance companies and the military, visiting nurse associations, private practice in offices and clinics, home healthcare agencies, temporary help agencies or self-employment in areas of medical training and wellness.

Job Outlook

The Bureau of U.S. Labor Statistics projects nursing to be one of the 10 occupations to have the largest number of new jobs. Employment of registered nurses is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2008 and, because the occupation is large, many new jobs will result. There will always be a need for traditional hospital nurses, but employment within hospitals will not grow as rapidly as it will in other areas of nursing. A large number of new nurses will be employed in home health, long-term, and ambulatory care. Technological advances will drive this faster-than-average growth in patient care and the increasing number of older patients. Opportunities will be especially good for nurses who continue with advanced education and training, such as nurse practitioners.