8 Best BSN to DNP Programs in Pennsylvania – 2024
Written By: Editorial Staff @ NursingProcess.org
Why are so many career-focused nurses enrolling in BSN to DNP programs in Pennsylvania? Because whether your ambitions lie in clinical nursing expertise, executive hospital management, or healthcare education, attaining a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree is a surefire way to achieve your professional nursing goals in the Keystone State. Throughout Pennsylvania’s healthcare sector, demand for DNP services is high, and DNPs make generous salaries, too—$129,170 a year on average. Quite a few BSN to DNP programs in Pennsylvania are offered online. Want to find out more? This list of the 8 best BSN to DNP programs in Pennsylvania for 2024 is an excellent place to start.
WHAT ARE THE BEST BSN TO DNP PROGRAMS IN PENNSYLVANIA (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2024?
(Based on our ranking methodology, the following are the 8 Best BSN to DNP Programs in Pennsylvania (Online & Campus).)1. University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh
Specialties Offered: Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse Anesthesia, Nurse-Midwife, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family (Individual Across the Lifespan) Nurse Practitioner, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Based on your interests, you can enroll in adult-gerontology care, nursing anesthesia, nurse midwifery, family health, neonatal care, pediatric primary care, or psychiatric mental health care. Depending on the BSN to DNP program you choose, you’ll require completing around 70 to 80 credits. All the BSN to DNP tracks are offered with full-time and part-time enrollment options.
Some of the topics covered include evidence-based practice, pathophysiology, advanced pharmacology, ethics in healthcare, health promotion & disease prevention, and financial, business, and economics in healthcare management. On a full-time basis, you’ll be able to graduate within three years.
Admission Requirements: To gain admission into this BSN-to-DNP program in Pennsylvania, you must have an RN license that is current and unencumbered. Also, your BSN must be from an accredited college and your GPA must be at least 3.0. Additionally, you must have completed a pre-requisite course in statistics with a minimum grade of B. It is also preferred that you have one to two years of relevant nursing work experience.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential University of Pittsburgh BSN-to-DNP Students
• Pitt nursing school ranks among the best in the nation as per the U.S. News & World Report.• Pitt nursing is one of the top nursing schools in the nation to receive funding from the NIH. The generous funding comes thanks to the innovative research the school engages in. As a BSN to DNP student, you can participate in research projects and gain valuable clinical insights.
• At Pitt nursing school, you’ll be mentored by a doctorally prepared faculty that also has several years of practice experience.
2. Villanova University - Villanova
Specialties Offered: Nurse Anesthesia
The BSN to DNP program in nursing anesthesia takes 36 months to complete and comprises 73 credits. Also, included in the curriculum are at least 2000 hours of clinical training. On a full-time basis, you can complete this program within three years. Some of the courses you take include nursing research, innovation in nursing, transformational leadership, advanced pharmacology, physical assessment, quality improvement, and ethics & law. You’ll also learn about evidence-based practice, healthcare finance, health policy, and epidemiology. Towards the end of the program, you’ll complete a DNP project where you’ll apply your doctoral knowledge to solve a pressing healthcare issue.
Admission Requirements: To gain eligibility for admission into this BSN-to-DNP program in Pennsylvania, you must have an accredited degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Also, to qualify, you must have at least one year of nursing experience. Further, to complete the application, you must submit a personal statement, all your transcripts, three letters of recommendation, and a copy of your RN license.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Villanova University BSN-to-DNP Students
• Villanova University nursing school maintains a small clinical student-to-faculty ratio that does not surpass 2:1. With this close supervision under the guidance of a CRNA or anesthesiologist, you’ll be able to gain thorough clinical practice.• Villanova University nursing school provides you with varied clinical experiences in specialties, including pediatrics, obstetrics, cardiology, and regional anesthesia. Through these clinical experiences, you’ll complete a minimum of 650 cases.
• Villanova University’s BSN-to-DNP program reports an excellent pass rate on the CRNA certification exam. Besides, almost 100% of the program graduates find placements within six months of graduation.
3. Duquesne University - Pittsburgh
Specialties Offered: Executive Nurse Leadership and Nurse Anesthesia
While the Leadership track is 100% online, the nursing anesthesia specialization is offered through the hybrid format.
The BSN to DNP leadership track requires you to complete 56 credits that can be completed within four years of part-time study. Whereas, if you prefer to complete your doctorate in nursing anesthesia, you’ll complete 92 credits within three years of full-time study.
The leadership coursework prepares you to lead and manage healthcare organizations, whereas the nursing anesthesia track focuses on the basic and advanced principles of anesthesia, professional aspects of anesthesia practice, and anesthesia role preparation.
Admission Requirements: This BSN-to-DNP program in Pennsylvania is designed for BSN graduates who have a bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.2. Additionally, your RN license must be valid and unencumbered in the U.S. Further, the college requires you to have completed undergraduate courses in human anatomy & physiology, chemistry, pharmacology, statistics, and evidence-based practice. To fulfill the admission requirements, you must submit three professional references, a resume, a goal statement, and all your transcripts.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Duquesne University BSN-to-DNP Students
• Duquesne University’s BSN to DNP program is built on a rich history of 80 years of excellence in nursing education.• Duquesne University nursing school offers a Catholic environment and a curriculum that is guided by the Spiritan traditions. Therefore, the training that you obtain grooms you for professional as well as personal fulfillment.
• Duquesne University nursing school ranks among the top in the nation for offering top-quality doctoral education, according to the U.S. News & World Report.
• Duquesne University nursing school is recognized as a military-friendly nursing school. So, if you are from a military background, you can expect financial benefits and solid enrollment support.
• Among all the BSN-to-DNP programs in Pennsylvania, Duquesne University’s BSN-to-DNP program is distinct for offering three unique residency experiences, including writing residency, studying abroad in Italy or Ireland, and a DNP project in a healthcare setting.
4. Robert Morris University - Moon Township
Specialties Offered: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
The BSN to DNP program is offered with specialization options in adult-gerontology care, family health, and psychiatric mental health. Regardless of the BSN to DNP specialization you choose, you’ll study core concepts such as evidence-based practice, advanced pathophysiology, advanced pharmacology, advanced physical assessment, health promotion, diagnosis and healthcare management, and research & theory. Also, you’ll learn about the integration of research and practice, health policy, health economics, healthcare informatics, and the healthcare management of your chosen population focus. Graduation requires you to complete around 80 credits which can be completed within three years of full-time study.
Admission Requirements: To be considered for Robert Morris University, your BSN must be from an accredited university and your GPA must be at least 3.2. Further, you must have an unencumbered RN license which is valid in your state of practice. The college also requires you to submit a resume, two professional letters, and a personal essay.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Robert Morris University Indiana BSN-to-DNP Students
• Robert Morris University’s BSN-to-DNP program takes pride in its excellent employment rate, having almost all graduates find suitable placements soon after completing the program.• Robert Morris University’s tuition costs are quite competitive compared to other BSN-to-DNP programs in Pennsylvania. Further, here, you’ll be able to access several financial aid resources, including scholarships, financial aid, loan, and grants.
• Robert Morris University nursing school offers you the advantage of both, the close-knit environment of a small school along with the vast resources of a big university.
5. The University of Scranton - Scranton
Specialties Offered: Nurse Anesthesia
The BSN to DNP-Nurse Anesthesia program comprises 83 credits and requires 36 months of full-time study. The program not only offers rigorous didactic training inside the classroom but also prepares you for real-world practice by taking you through at least 1600 hours of clinical practice in nursing anesthesia, covering a minimum of 802 cases.
In the first year of this BSN to DNP program, you’ll mainly complete didactic courses through a blend of online and on-campus classes. From the second year onwards, you’ll start with clinical training in the simulation lab. The third year mainly entails completing clinical rotations in a variety of settings.
The BSN to DNP-nurse anesthesia program covers topics such as advanced pharmacology, research methodology, epidemiology & biostatistics, health care technology & information systems, and advanced physiology & pathophysiology. The program also entails completing courses that prepare you for the role of a nurse anesthetist.
Admission Requirements: As a potential applicant for this BSN-to-DNP program in Pennsylvania, you must have an accredited BSN with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Also, your RN license must be active and unencumbered. The school also requires you to have completed basic courses in physical assessment and statistics. To qualify for admission, you must have at least one year of nursing experience in critical care. Further, you must submit three recommendation letters, a personal essay, and all your transcripts.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential The University of Scranton BSN-to-DNP Students
• The University of Scranton nursing school is a nationally ranked nursing school according to the U.S. News & World Report.• The University of Scranton is a Jesuit institution. Therefore, the BSN to DNP program nurtures you academically, spiritually, and ethically.
• University of Scranton’s BSN to DNP faculty members are active practitioners, researchers, and educators, having several years of practice experience.
6. Cedar Crest College - Allentown
Specialties Offered: Family/Individual Across the Lifespan Nurse Practitioner, Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, and Nurse Anesthesia
Here, you can complete your BSN to DNP education in family health, adult gerontology care, or nursing anesthesia, based on where you find your calling. Also, depending on your preference, you can enroll part-time or full-time.
Regardless of the track you choose, you’ll require completing around 75 credits. The curriculum comprises MSN core, DNP core, and courses related to your chosen specialty. Some of the core courses that you take teach you the conceptual & theoretical foundations for nursing, evidence-based practice, healthcare informatics, physiology & pathophysiology, and advanced physical assessment. The DNP core courses which are common to all the BSN to DNP specialties cover topics such as biostatistics for evidence-based practice, theories of leadership & organization, health policy, economics & finance, and safety & quality improvement. Toward the end of the program, you’ll complete a DNP project where you’ll apply your newly acquired knowledge to improve patient outcomes.
Admission Requirements: To be considered for this BSN-to-DNP program in Pennsylvania, you must have a BSN with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Additionally, your RN license must be unencumbered and active in PA. The school also requires you to have completed undergraduate courses in statistics, research & health assessment. To complete the application process, you must submit your official transcripts, two letters of recommendation, and a current resume.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Cedar Crest College BSN-to-DNP Students
• Cedar Crest College’s BSN to DNP program boasts of an excellent pass rate on the national certification exam. Further, almost all BSN to DNP graduates report finding employment within six months of graduation.• Cedar Crest College’s small student-to-faculty ratio allows for personalized attention where you’ll be able to take advantage of the expert faculty mentorship.
• Cedar Crest College has won many accolades, including ranking among the top nursing schools in the nation as per the U.S. News & World Report. The school is also listed among the best schools for veterans.
7. Holy Family University - Philadelphia
Specialties Offered: Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
The BSN-to-DNP-FNP program comprises 74 credits and 1046 hours of clinical practice. Courses are mostly offered on-campus, with few courses online. The program emphasizes interprofessional collaboration and leadership, preparing you to work in a variety of primary care settings.
Some of the courses you take include advanced health assessment, advanced pharmacology, healthcare policy & advocacy, clinical decision-making, and primary care of adults and older adults. In addition to didactic courses, you’ll also be provided clinical training in real-world settings. Upon graduation, you’ll be prepared to take the FNP certification exam.
Admission Requirements: This BSN-to-DNP program in Pennsylvania is designed for BSN graduates who have a valid RN license. Also, you must have at least one year of work experience as a nurse. Further, to fulfill the application requirements, you must submit all your transcripts, letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and a resume.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Holy Family University BSN-to-DNP Students
• Holy Family University is a Jesuit school that produces compassionate advanced-practice nurses who are committed to community service and lifelong learning.• Holy Family University helps you graduate without breaking the bank by offering a variety of funding opportunities, including grants, scholarships, loan programs, and employment programs.
• With more than 25,000 alumni working across the globe, as a graduate of Holy Family University’s BSN-to-DNP program, you’ll have a ready platform available to build meaningful professional connections.
8. Temple University - Philadelphia
Specialties Offered: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care and Family-Individual Across the Lifespan Nurse Practitioner
Counted among the sought-after BSN-to-DNP programs in Pennsylvania, here you have two BSN-to-DNP tracks to choose from, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care or Family-Individual Across the Lifespan Nurse Practitioner. Regardless of the track you choose, to graduate, you’ll require completing 68 credits and 1000 hours of clinical practice. On a full-time basis, most students graduate within three years, however, if you opt to enroll part-time, you have a maximum of seven years to graduate.
The BSN to DNP curriculum covers topics such as biostatistics, teaching in higher education, advanced physiology & pathophysiology, advanced pharmacotherapeutics, healthcare advocacy, interdisciplinary collaboration, and nursing leadership. Also, you’ll take courses that teach you healthcare economics, and the healthcare management of your chosen population focus.
Admission Requirements: To qualify for this BSN-to-DNP program in Pennsylvania, you must have a BSN and an active RN license. Further, your undergraduate GPA must be at least 3.0. Besides, you must be prepared to submit your transcripts, statement of purpose, recommendation letters, and resume.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Temple University BSN-to-DNP Students
• Temple University’s BSN to DNP program stands out for several reasons, one of which is an emphasis on nursing scholarship. In the first year itself, the faculty works with you to develop the DNP project which you must present in the final year of the program. Also, because the BSN to DNP program is housed in a public health school, you’ll be able to closely interact with students from other health disciplines.• Through Temple University’s BSN-to-DNP program, you’ll also earn a certificate in teaching which prepares you for faculty roles, should you desire to teach in the future.
• Temple University’s BSN-to-DNP program is ideal for working nurses. Designed to accommodate your busy life, you’ll attend on-campus classes once a week, taking most other classes through the online format.
• Temple University’s BSN to DNP program is affordable, plus the school offers multiple options to fund your education.
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