In the state of Pennsylvania jobs within the health service sectors (including nurses and other health care professionals) are expected to show an increase that is more than double that of other jobs in other areas over the next two to five years. It has been estimated that one out of every four jobs required throughout the next few years will be related to health care in one manner or another.
Pennsylvania has taken steps to encourage nursing students to want to study in this state and then to stay after graduation to work there. Some of these special programs that have been devised include nursing-specific educational grants, a loan forgiveness program and a scholarship program with graduate nursing school students in mind.
When one thinks of nursing schools in Pennsylvania the University of Pennsylvania springs first to mind! Located in Philadelphia, this Ivy League school was listed as the fourth-best school in the country by the U.S. News and World Report as of this year. In 2007 the same publication ranked the University of Pennsylvania as being the third-best graduate school for nursing programs in the United States.
As a top 10 nursing school, students who attend this school can earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in a regular track or take the fast-track (accelerated program) for those who enroll in the school already having a four year degree. Students can also study for their BSN/Master of Sciences in Nursing or their PhD in Nursing. The university also offers an estimated 20 subspecialty certificates for practicing nurses. For those looking to take continuing education courses this university provides that as well. These courses are taken through the Nursing Center for Professional Development.
The University of Pennsylvania offers a superior nursing program (Penn Nursing as it is sometimes referred to) that has all of the latest and most innovative technologies around. The nursing program is considered unique because it contains a laboratory that is equipped with mannequins that respond in much the same way that people do. These mannequins act as a training tool for nursing students. The state-of-the-art treatment simulation lab with mannequins is sometimes likened to the things one sees in medical television dramas such as “Grey’s Anatomy.”
As far as other nursing schools in Pennsylvania go, a diploma in practical nursing is available at the Pennsylvania Institute of Health and Technology in Uniontown. For those looking to obtain a diploma to become a patient care technician (also sometimes called a certified nursing assistant) Everest Institute in Pittsburgh is a good choice of a school.
Those wishing to become registered nurses by studying for their BSN or going further and studying for their MSN or PhD should look at the Villanova University’s College of Nursing in Villanova, Pennsylvania. The nursing schools in this state have everything you need to be a well qualified nurse!
