Pathways to Becoming a Registered Nurse
Penn State New Kensington supports three different pathways for earning the BSN degree in nursing.
Path 1
Apply for admission to Citizens Schools of Nursing. Take basic sciences and some general education requirements at Penn State New Kensington and complete the nursing courses at Citizens School of Nursing. Sit for the Registered Nurse licensure exam upon completion of the hospital diploma program. Return to New Kensington to complete the BSN in nursing requirements. All Penn State credits required for the hospital diploma schools count toward the BSN. In addition, hospital diploma school graduates receive 33 credits by portfolio for basic nursing courses.
Path 2
Enter Penn State New Kensington and take prerequisite courses required for completion of an associate degree or a diploma program in nursing. Apply for admission to an associate or diploma nursing program after successful completion of prerequisite courses. Sit for the Registered Nurse licensure exam upon completion of the nursing program. Return to New Kensington to complete the BSN in nursing requirements. In addition, hospital diploma and associate degree graduates receive 33 credits by portfolio for basic nursing courses.
Path 3
Students may attend Penn State New Kensington for one year and transfer to a Penn State campus which has a baccalaureate in nursing program at the end of the freshmen year.