10 Best ADN Programs in Pennsylvania – (2-Year RN Programs)
Written By: Pattie Trumble, MPP, MPH (Introduction), and Editorial Staff @ NursingProcess.org (School Profiles)
Interested in becoming an RN in Pennsylvania? Don’t want to commit to a costly four-year nursing program? Check out one of the Keystone State’s associate degree in nursing programs. As a graduate of one of the ADN programs in Pennsylvania, you’ll be fully qualified to take—and pass—the NCLEX-RN exam, enabling you to earn a salary of $80,630 a year. ADN-educated registered nurses have numerous employment opportunities, too, which are projected to increase by nearly 9 percent in the next 10 years. Keep reading to learn more about the 10 best ADN programs in Pennsylvania.
What Are The Best ADN Programs In Pennsylvania (Online And Campus)?
Based on our Ranking Methodology, the following are the 10 best nursing schools for ADN programs in Pennsylvania. You can complete most of these programs in 2 years.
1. Pennsylvania College of Technology - Williamsport
Program Details: Pennsylvania College of Technology is a great place to start your journey to become a registered nurse. The college offers one of the best ADN programs in Pennsylvania that is known for producing high-quality nursing graduates. Graduates are fully prepared to work in a variety of healthcare settings, including, hospitals, home health agencies, long-term facilities, and physician offices.
The coursework includes topics such as adult-surgical nursing, childbearing nursing, psychosocial nursing, and the essentials of pharmacology.
Admission Requirements: Pennsylvania College of Technology’s ADN program is selective in its admission process. This ADN program in Pennsylvania is open to high school graduates who have a diploma or GED. In addition, a TEAS, SAT, or ACT score will enhance your odds of admission.
Why Choose This Program
• Pennsylvania College of Technology’s ADN program boasts of a 100% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-RN exam.• Pennsylvania College of Technology’s small-sized classes and specialized lab provide ADN students with a close mentorship experience. This close guidance helps you build a strong professional skillset.
• Pennsylvania College of Technology’s ADN program offers rolling admission, making it convenient for you to apply any time through the year.
2. Luzerne County Community College - Nanticoke
Program Details: Luzerne County Community College is a well-known nursing school that offers career-oriented training. The ADN program is designed to prepare you for competent patient care across diverse types of healthcare settings. The program is offered on-campus with classes held during the day. The program also offers evening classes; however, the evening classes are offered only in odd-numbered years.
Leading to the NCLEX-RN exam, the program covers various topics such as general psychology, nursing concepts, general microbiology, pharmacology, and contemporary concepts in nursing.
Admission Requirements: Luzerne County Community College’s ADN program requires you to have a high school diploma and a GPA of at least 2.5. This ADN program in Pennsylvania also requires applicants to have a minimum score on the SAT or ACT exam. Also, applicants must complete a pre-requisite coursework in biology, and psychology.
Why Choose This Program
• Luzerne County Community College’s ADN is counted among the best 2-year nursing programs in Pennsylvania. It's little wonder that the high-skilled graduates are in demand among local healthcare employers.• Luzerne County Community College’s ADN program also offers electives in health & physical education elective courses.
• Luzerne County Community College’s ADN program provides excellent learning opportunities at its more than 700 clinical partners.
3. Montgomery County Community College - Blue Bell
Program Details: Montgomery County Community College’s ADN program combines the art and science of nursing. The program emphasizes critical thinking, clinical decision-making, and evidence-based practice. This 2-year nursing program in Pennsylvania comprises a total of 68 credits and fully prepares graduates to take the NCLEX-RN exam.
The ADN coursework includes general education and core nursing courses. The general education courses include English, nutrition, psychology, human development, and sociology. Additionally, the core nursing courses teach you concepts of nursing and nursing care of individuals and families across the lifespan.
Admission Requirements: To apply for Montgomery County Community College’s ADN program, you must fulfill the admission requirements which include a high school diploma or GED. Because admissions into the program are highly competitive, it is required to submit a good TEAS exam score. Also, completion of pre-requisite courses in Math and science is required. To apply, you must also be prepared to submit your official transcripts.
Why Choose This Program
• Montgomery County Community College offers classes in a state-of-the-art facility where ADN students not only attend theoretical classes but also concurrently apply the knowledge to practice.• Montgomery County Community College’s ADN program allows a seamless transfer to some of the top four-year schools, including Drexel University, Pennsylvania State University, and Ohio University.
4. Harcum College - Bryn Mawr
Program Details: If you want to launch your career as a registered nurse, then Harcum College’s ADN program provides you with the knowledge and skills to successfully work as a nurse in a constantly evolving healthcare industry.
Another one of the best ADN programs in Pennsylvania, Harcum College’s ADN program comprises a total of 66 credits in didactic and clinical courses. The coursework covers topics such as fundamental concepts of nursing, mental health nursing, maternal child nursing, and professional nursing concepts.
Admission Requirements: If you are interested in applying for Harcum College’s ADN program, then you must foremost have a high school diploma or a GED. The application also requires you to submit two letters of recommendation, a TEAS exam score, and all your official transcripts. To qualify for admission, this 2-year nursing program in Pennsylvania also requires you to complete 33 credits of prerequisites.
Why Choose This Program
• Harcum College maintains partnerships with leading healthcare systems in the area, including Main Line Health, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, and Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital. The partnerships provide students with excellent clinical learning opportunities.• Harcum College’s ADN program reports an excellent pass rate on the NCLEX-RN exam. Over the past few years, graduates have consistently exceeded the national average pass rates.
• Harcum College’s ADN graduates are employed within 8 to 12 months of graduation.
5. Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences - Lancaster
Program Details: Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences offers an excellent option for aspiring registered nurses. The program is a five-semester track that comprises a total of 67 credits. The coursework covers courses in general education and nursing core courses.
Students complete didactic courses and clinical training in the lab and real-world clinical settings. Some of the classes you attend include general psychology, health assessment, pathophysiology, concepts of health & illness, and ethical & legal dimensions in health sciences. Upon graduation, you’ll be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN exam.
Admission Requirements: To be considered for admission, you must have a high school diploma or GED and a GPA of at least 2.5. It is also preferred for applicants to have some healthcare experience. Applicants must also be prepared to complete pre-requisite courses such as English, social science, and Math.
Why Choose This Program
• Among all the ADN programs in Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences ADN program stands out for offering excellent real-world clinical training at some of the leading healthcare organizations in the area. The best part is that the clinical training starts from day one of the program.• Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences began as a nursing school well over 100 years ago and boasts one of the nation's best experiential learning classes.
• 100% of ADN graduates at Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences find suitable jobs soon upon graduation.
6. Bucks County Community College - Newtown
Program Details: If you are seeking a well-rounded education in nursing, then Bucks County Community College’s ADN program is a great option. The program combines courses in liberal arts, sciences, and nursing to provide you with a comprehensive learning experience. This 2-year nursing program in Pennsylvania is offered on a full-time basis, with courses offered sequentially.
The coursework covers a variety of topics such as adult & family nursing, microbiology, pharmacology, psychology, health assessment, health promotion & disease prevention.
Admission Requirements: As a potential applicant, you must have a high school diploma or a GED. Further, a GPA of at least 2.5 is required. Also, you must submit your ATI-TEAS, SAT, or ACT scores. The admission requirements also require you to complete pre-requisite courses in human anatomy, physiology, and chemistry. In addition, a current CPR certification is also required.
Why Choose This Program
• Bucks County Community College’s ADN program is a career-oriented curriculum that fully prepares graduates for the challenges of patient care.• Bucks County Community College’s ADN program is offered in small-sized classes where students benefit from personalized attention and a supportive learning environment.
• Bucks County Community College’s ADN program provides high-quality education and is led by experienced faculty members who bring their real-world knowledge and practical insights to the classroom.
7. Mount Aloysius College - Cresson
Program Details: The ADN program at Mount Aloysius has a tradition of producing future nurses of quality and distinction. Program graduates are fully prepared to explore employment in a variety of settings, including, hospitals, nursing care facilities, schools, and correctional facilities, to name a few.
This ADN program in Pennsylvania is a two-year program that seamlessly transitions into the BSN coursework. The ADN courses prepare you for the NCLEX-RN exam, covering topics such as adult nursing theory, nursing pharmacology, adult nursing, mental health nursing, and nursing care of the family.
Admission Requirements: Similar to other 2-year nursing programs in Pennsylvania, Mount Aloysius College’s ADN requires you to have a high school diploma or GED. The minimum required GPA to qualify for admission is 2.5. The program also requires you to complete all the prerequisites, including, English, social studies, Mathematics, biology, and chemistry. The pre-requisite courses must be completed with a minimum grade of C.
Why Choose This Program
• Mount Aloysius College’s ADN program has been a significant contributor to the region’s nursing workforce since 1964.• Mount Aloysius College is not only affordable but also offers several financial aid and scholarship opportunities.
• Mount Aloysius College’s ADN program provides students with excellent clinical training at an advanced simulation center. The center is equipped with state-of-the-art mannikins that allow students close to real practice experiences.
8. Community College of Allegheny County - Pittsburgh
Program Details: The ADN program in CCAC prepares graduates for competent nursing practice in a constantly changing healthcare environment. The curriculum is designed to help students succeed in their professional and personal lives. Upon completion of the program, graduates are prepared to explore a variety of career options in the nursing field.
The program comprises around 67 to 68 credits including general education and nursing courses. Some of the topics covered include professional nursing issues, adult health concepts, family health concepts, complex health concepts, and leadership and management concepts in nursing. The program takes two years to complete, after which you’ll be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN exam.
Admission Requirements: The application requires you to have a high school diploma or GED with a GPA of at least 2.8. In addition, the program requires the submission of TEAS test results and all official transcripts. The 2-year nursing program in Pennsylvania also requires completion of all prerequisites, including biology, chemistry, English, and Mathematics.
Why Choose This Program
• Community College of Allegheny County’s ADN program consistently reports a high placement rate.• Community College of Allegheny County’s ADN program is offered in small classes where students receive personalized attention.
• Community College of Allegheny County’s ADN graduates consistently pass the NCLEX-RN exam with excellent first-time pass rates.
9. Harrisburg Area Community College - Harrisburg
Program Details: The Harrisburg Area Community College ADN curriculum is carefully curated to make sure upon graduation, you will be fully prepared to face the NCLEX-RN exam. This ADN program in Pennsylvania is offered full-time or part-time. While the full-time program can be completed within two years, the duration of the part-time track depends on the number of courses you take each semester.
The coursework comprises a total of 67 credits. You’ll take classes in various subjects, including, health assessment, concepts of informatics, holistic health concepts, adult health concepts, family health concepts, advanced behavioral health concepts, and leadership & management concepts for nursing practice.
Admission Requirements: The program requires you to get at least a 58.7 score or higher on your TEAS and also have a GPA of 2.5 or above to apply, and you may only apply once. For starters, you must have a high school diploma or a GED. To apply, you must also complete pre-requisite courses in biology, English, and Math.
Why Choose This Program
• Harrisburg Area Community College’s ADN program is more affordable than most other ADN programs in Pennsylvania.• Harrisburg Area Community College’s ADN program allows a seamless transition to several other four-year colleges where graduates can choose to complete their BSN education.
• Harrisburg Area Community College emphasizes career-focused training and prepares graduates for immediate entry into the nursing workforce.
10. Reading Area Community College - Reading
Program Details: Reading Area Community College‘s ADN program prepares you for the challenges of nursing care. The program is a two-year coursework that confers an associate degree in nursing. With full-time day and part-time evening classes, this 2-year nursing program in Pennsylvania allows you to choose a plan that suits your scheduling needs. The program requires the completion of 70 credits including courses such as anatomy & physiology, general psychology, microbiology, and basic and advanced concepts in nursing.
Admission Requirements: Reading Area Community College’s ADN has a selective admission process. The program requires applicants to have a high school diploma or GED with a minimum GPA of 2.5. In addition, a TEAS exam score is required. Applicants must also be prepared to complete the prescribed prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of C.
Why Choose This Program
• Reading Area Community College’s ADN program is taught by a highly qualified faculty that is dedicated to providing students with engaging didactic and clinical learning experiences.• Reading Area Community College’s ADN program offers excellent clinical experiences at a variety of healthcare agencies and nursing specialties.
• Reading Area Community College’s ADN program has articulation agreements with several colleges and universities. The agreements allow an easy transfer of credits to a BSN program.
Nearby States