Earn a bachelor's degree in nursing close to home at Penn State Mont Alto: prepare for a nursing career in today’s complex health care environment with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
Established in 1965, the general B.S. program is a four-year program that combines a broad liberal arts and science foundation with an extensive range of nursing courses. The program prepares students to provide nursing care in a variety of settings, including hospitals, private practice, long-term care, clinics, and health care/community agencies.
Students gain experience in diverse settings such as academic medical centers, rural hospitals, community agencies, schools, and prisons. After earning the B.S., students are eligible to take the national examination for licensure as a registered nurse (NCLEX).
Why a Four-year Nursing Degree?
A four-year education helps nurses navigate the increasingly complex medical field. In its report The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health, the Institute of Medicine recommends that 80 percent of all nurses have, at minimum, a bachelor’s degree by 2020. Hospitals applying for Magnet status employ a larger percentage of nurses with a bachelor's degree than those without. Many institutions have higher pay grades for baccalaureate-prepared nurses. A four-year degree is also the foundation for the advanced education needed for advanced practice positions (nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, nurse midwife, nurse anesthetist) and other advanced nursing roles (administrator, educator, or researcher).
Professional Licensure and Certification Compliance
Many US states and territories require professional licensure/certification to be employed. If you plan to pursue employment in a licensed profession after completing this program, please visit the Professional Licensure/Certification Disclosures by State interactive map.
Clinical Sites
- UPMC Carlisle Hospital
- Wellspan Chambersburg Hospital
- Wellspan Gettysburg Hospital
- Wellspan Waynesboro Hospital
- Fulton County Medical Center
- Hershey Medical Center
- Quincy Village
- Menno Haven
- South Mountain Restoration Center
- Penn State Health Hampden Medical Center