Nursing

About the College

Laurie Badzek, Dean and Professor, College of Nursing

Penn State's Nursing program began in 1964 to provide an academically-grounded clinical training program for future nurses. Since then, the Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing (Nese CON) has steadily evolved to meet the demands of modern healthcare. We provide diverse, hands-on clinical experiences, a well-rounded classroom curriculum, and cutting-edge technology to today’s students. Through three unique Nursing degree program options - General Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.), Second Degree in Nursing and R.N. to B.S.N. - Penn State provides opportunities for students to begin their journey into nursing or expand their nursing education in ways that fit their needs. Students in the Nese CON enjoy the rich benefits of the extensive Penn State system while also connecting closely with colleagues, faculty and staff within our small college. Through the College's commitment to improve the lives of others, our students are empowered to provide high-quality and compassionate healthcare to the people they serve.

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Mission and Goals

We are creating nurse leaders to transform lives and health around the world.

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Accreditation

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing Programs are approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing and accredited by the:

Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
655 K Street, NW
Suite 750
Washington, DC 20001
202-887-6791 - Phone
202-887-8476 – Fax
https://www.aacnnursing.org/ccne-accreditation

College Procedures

Change of Campus

General B.S.N. and Second Degree students must start and remain at the campus to which they are admitted into the Nursing program. University Park students are required to spend one full academic year at the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. R.N. to B.S.N. students may request a temporary or permanent change of campus to an alternative campus. Students initiate this request using the Update Campus application found in the Student Center of LionPATH.

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Concurrent Majors

A Concurrent Majors Program is one in which students take courses to concurrently meet the requirements of at least two majors, with graduation for all majors in the program occurring during the same semester. Nursing students may be eligible for a concurrent major with careful, proactive consultation with academic advisers in both programs. Nursing is always considered the primary major. Due to the progressive nature of nursing education, students are expected to prioritize their Nursing curriculum over that of their concurrent major. Students should consult with their Nursing academic adviser prior to declaring a concurrent major.

READ SENATE POLICY 60-00: COMPLETING MORE THAN ONE UNDERGRADUATE MAJOR PROGRAM

Academic Warning

The Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing's Academic Progression Policy supersedes University policy on Academic Warning for General B.S.N. and Second Degree Students. A student who fails to earn a 2.00 cumulative grade-point average will be placed on academic warning. A student placed on academic warning will have a hold placed on registration and will be required to meet with an academic adviser in order for this registration hold to be removed. To remove academic warning, the student must reach a cumulative grade-point average of 2.00 or higher.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ACADEMIC WARNING

READ SENATE POLICY 54-20: ACADEMIC WARNING

Academic Suspension

The College of Nursing’s Academic Progression Policy supersedes University policy on Academic Suspension for General B.S.N. and Second Degree Students. A student in academic warning who fails to maintain a semester grade-point average of 2.00 or higher will be academically suspended. A student who has been academically suspended may not schedule courses at the University for two consecutive semesters. (Note: Summer session is equal to one semester.)

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ACADEMIC SUSPENSION

READ SENATE POLICY 54-40: ACADEMIC SUSPENSION

Resources

Academic Advising

Once admitted to the program, all students will be assigned to an academic or faculty adviser according to their campus location. The University Park/World Campus Academic Advising office is located in 109 Nursing Sciences Building and can be reached by calling 814-863-2229 or emailing nursing@psu.edu.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ACADEMIC ADVISING

Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives

The Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing’s Office for Diversity and Inclusion fosters a welcoming and inclusive community while promoting and enhancing the diversity of the College's students, faculty, and staff. Our goal is to support the College’s efforts related to recruitment, retention, development and graduation of underrepresented students in Nursing. For more information, please contact 814-863-2229.

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Study Abroad

B.S.N. students in the General Nursing Option have the opportunity to study abroad. However, due to the sequential nature of the Nursing curriculum, students who wish to stay “on time” with their program may study abroad only during the summer or semester breaks, or with an embedded program of shorter duration. The Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing offers embedded programs during the academic year for upper-division students. Other international experiences can be arranged through Penn State Global.

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Academic Support

The Academic Success Team consists of the student, course coordinators, clinical faculty, Academic Success Coach and professionals from a variety of campus resources. Students may be referred to the Academic Success Coach by faculty or staff, or may independently request support for nursing courses starting in the sophomore year.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ACADEMIC SUPPORT

CON Ambassadors: Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing Student Ambassadors (CONAm)

This student group represents the Nese College of Nursing and provides a student perspective at information and recruitment events. Ambassadors embody Nursing students of varied interests, activities and backgrounds and volunteer to share their love of Penn State and all things nursing.

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The Art of Nursing

The Art of Nursing is a choir of nursing and allied students who connect with the same patients/residents student nurses care for during local clinical rotations! They strive to bring joy and healing to the elderly and sick through song.

Men in Nursing

Men in Nursing facilitates opportunities for networking and mentoring and assists interested males with information about the nursing major. Additionally, Men in Nursing actively promotes men's health, influencing factors that affect men as nurses, and joins with all nursing students and nurses in providing services and support for the underprivileged.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT MEN IN NURSING

Multi-Cultural Students Nurses Association (MSNA)

The Multi-Cultural Students Nurses Association was recently formed to provide an inclusive environment to multicultural students and allies in the nursing major. MSNA coordinates social events and educational opportunities that create a safe space for students to strengthen community and develop professional skills for career success.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT MULTI-CULTURAL STUDENTS NURSES ASSOCIATION (MSNA)

Student Nurses’ Association of Pennsylvania (SNAPS)

The Student Nurses’ Association at Penn State (SNAPS) chapter is open to all nursing students. Members take part in professional development, community service and social events such as Homecoming, THON, Relay for Life, career fairs, state and national conventions, workshops and numerous other activities throughout the year.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE STUDENT NURSES’ ASSOCIATION OF PENNSYLVANIA (SNAPS)

Honors Programs

Schreyer Honors College

The Schreyer Honors College, regarded as one of the nation’s top programs of its kind, promotes achieving academic excellence with integrity, building a global perspective, and creating opportunities for leadership and civic engagement. Schreyer Scholars, including those admitted after their first or second year of enrollment, are a diverse and motivated group of approximately 2,000 students at University Park and 20 Commonwealth campuses. The College strives to educate students who will have an important and ethical influence in the world, to improve educational practice, and to continue to be recognized as a leading force in honors education nationwide.

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Honors in the College of Nursing

Nursing students in the Schreyer Honors Program are expected to demonstrate excellent academic achievement with integrity, build a global perspective, and seek opportunities for leadership and civic engagement. In addition to completing B.S.N. program requirements, honors students engage in academic enrichment including honors courses, research placement and the completion of a thesis. College of Nursing students may pursue Schreyer Honors College (SHC) in one of two ways:

  1. First-year applicants may apply to SHC at the time of application to the College of Nursing.
  2. Current Nursing undergraduates may have the opportunity to seek entry to the SHC in the spring of sophomore year, through a process known as the Current Student Gateway. Please be aware that this opportunity is contingent upon available space in the current Nursing Schreyer cohort.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HONORS IN THE COLLEGE OF NURSING

Contact

ROSS AND CAROL NESE COLLEGE OF NURSING
Student Success Center
Undergraduate Advising
109 Nursing Sciences Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-863-2229
nursing@psu.edu

https://www.nursing.psu.edu/