Online Nursing Schools in PA: Learning About Top Programs

If you’re ready to start a new nursing career, you can leverage the flexibility of online learning to get the training you need. Online nursing programs give you the opportunity to learn the fundamental concepts of the field during virtual coursework, which you may be able to take during the times that are most convenient for you. It’s important to keep in mind, however, that you’ll also be required to participate in experiential learning activities.

Generally, schools require that you travel to campus for lab experiences. Additionally, in order to earn your nursing license in Pennsylvania, you’ll be required to participate in hands-on clinical fieldwork at a healthcare facility. For more in-depth looks into these types of programs, continue on to see your options.

Online Undergraduate Nursing Degree Programs

Undergraduate programs are usually the starting point for becoming a registered nurse. If you want to get a more comprehensive education that takes longer, you can enroll in a two-year associate or a four-year bachelor’s degree program. They include both nursing and general education coursework, so you obtain an array of skills to be successful in the field. But if you want to spend less time in school, a diploma or certificate program can train you for an entry-level job within about a year.

Graduate and Post-Graduate Degree Programs for Nurses

If you want to move up into a nursing leadership role, want to train the next generation of nurses, or want to hone your experiences and find your RN specialty, a graduate or post-graduate degree program is worth considering. Master’s, doctoral, and graduate certificate programs build on your knowledge and experience so you can upskill. This additional training will help you reach your goals while increasing earning potential.

Nursing Bridge Degree Programs

If you’re a working nurse, you can use a bridge program to further your education without spending as much time in school as you otherwise would. These programs allow you to focus on higher-level coursework without repeating nursing content you already know. Also, they generally require hands-on experiences so you get to reinforce the new material you’ve learned.

Registered Nursing Licensing Requirements in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania’s RN degree programs prepare you for the NCLEX-RN examination to obtain state licensure. It’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the steps you’ll need to earn licensure before starting your nursing program, so visiting the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing website can be helpful in your research. Uncover the steps you’ll need to take below.

1 – Earn an Accredited Nursing Degree

Complete an accredited and state-approved pre-RN licensure program. Doing so helps you meet the education and clinical practice hours needed to pass the NCLEX-RN, which is required for RN licensure in Pennsylvania.

Nursing school accreditation indicates certain critical standards of quality. Accreditation for nursing programs in the U.S. comes via the Accreditation Commission for Education and Nursing (ACEN) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). You can search for current nursing program accreditation status using these ACEN and CCNE search engines. Quality nursing degree and certificate programs in Pennsylvania are also approved by the Pennsylvania Department of State’s Board of Nursing (BON).

2 – Pass the NCLEX-RN Exam

Register and pay to take the exam with Pearson VUE, the service conducting the exam for Pennsylvania. Several weeks after registration, you’ll receive your Authorization to Test (ATT).

Once you receive your ATT, schedule and take the NCLEX-RN exam at any one of the dozens of Pearson VUE’s testing locations within or outside of Pennsylvania. Visit the NCLEX website for detailed information on preparing for, taking, and passing the exam. Be sure to check out our beginner’s guide to the NCLEX and our essential study skills guide for healthcare students.

3 – Apply for State Licensure

The RN licensing requirements in Pennsylvania include a Criminal History Records Check (CHRC) and completion of three continuing education (CE) hours of approved training by the Department of Human Services on child abuse recognition and reporting. These requirements, found on the Pennsylvania Licensing System (PALS) website, may be completed before taking the NCLEX-RN exam. Bear in mind that each state’s licensing requirements for RNs will vary.

4 – Maintain and Renew Licensure

An RN license must be renewed every other year. Renewal applications are made available 30 to 60 days before the expiration date. In order to keep an RN license current, nurses are expected to complete 30 hours of continuing education classes. Two hours of this required coursework must cover child abuse recognition and reporting.

5 – Pursue Specialty Certifications (Optional)

In order to boost your attractiveness to employers, you may consider earning a specialty certification. Some of the specialized certifications you can receive include the Clinical Nurse Specialist, the ​Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner, and the Licensed Dietitian-Nutritionist credentials. These designations each have their own requirements, so be sure to consult the board of nursing website to find out information on how to obtain each one.

Career & Salary Outlook for Registered Nurses in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania’s Best-Ranked Online Nursing Programs

To help you make an informed decision in selecting the best program for your nursing education, we’ve put together a ranking of the top schools the state has to offer. As you review our choices, be sure to look at the methodology we used to put this list together to understand how we combined affordability, online learning formats, academic support resources, and more. Find out which schools made their way onto our list for potential students like you.