Welcome to Penn State Harrisburg's
RN to BS Option Program. Courses are offered from Harrisburg Campus. Some courses may be offered by videoconferencing to or live at other locations (Schuylkill Campus, Hershey Campus). The
School of Nursing is part of the College of Health and Human Development.
We offer a flexible schedule of courses to accommodate the working Registered Nurse. Using web-based coursework, small classes, independent study and individualized personal advising, we strive to help you meet your personal goals. We invite you to explore our website for specific information on our various activities.
About Us
The Pennsylvania State University was founded in 1855. In establishing the institution - which was then called the Farmer's High School - Pennsylvania became one of the first two states to establish successful agricultural colleges. The institution was later called the Agricultural College of Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania accepted the terms of the Morrill, or Land Grant Act in 1863 for the Agricultural College and in 1866 designated the college as the sole recipient of the income from the land-grant endowment, making Penn State the Commonwealth's land grant institution.
In 1874, the name of the institution was changed to the Pennsylvania State College, and in 1953 to The Pennsylvania State University in recognition of what the institution had long since become - one of the leading universities in the nation.
The Pennsylvania State University, School of Nursing
The Pennsylvania State University, School of Nursing is a multi-site School geographically dispersed around the Commonwealth with its administrative hub on the University Park campus in State College, Pennsylvania. Nursing is a School in the College of Health and Human Development, which is composed of a blend of disciplines focused on nursing practice, individual and family health, well being, development, and related services across the life span.
The Pennsylvania State University has 24 campus locations across the State. Chartered as the Commonwealth's sole land-grant institution, the University has developed into a world-class learning community with an ongoing mission of teaching, research, and public service. Since the 1930s, Penn State has been Pennsylvania's largest source of undergraduate degrees, offering studies in more than 160 baccalaureate and 150 graduate fields and conferring nearly 14,000 degrees annually.
The School of Nursing enjoys the benefits of a supportive, comprehensive university. Our learning environments are enriched by the diversity of the varied local communities where our students live, attend classes, and participate in the clinical practicum opportunities. The School of Nursing offers nursing programs leading to the Associate of Science Degree (AD), Bachelor of Science Degree (BS), Master of Science Degree (MS), and Doctoral Degree. Through an integrated outreach system, students have the option of pursuing a degree at multiple locations within the state.
Penn State Harrisburg
Penn State Harrisburg is located at 777 West Harrisburg Pike in Middletown, PA, eight miles from the state capital in Harrisburg. It is conveniently located near the Harrisburg International Airport and is easyly accessed from the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
Penn State Harrisburg's rich history began in 1966. Today the college boasts an enrollment in excess of 3800, more than 150 full-time faculty, and 220 employees. Students now choose from two associate, 30 baccalaureate, 20 master's, and two doctoral programs. Academic programs are housed in five schools: Business Administration; Humanities; Public Affairs; Behavioral Sciences and Education; and Science, Engineering, and Technology. The RN to BS Option program is part of the School of Behavioral Sciences and Education and is housed in the Nursing/Health Education Suite in Room W343 Olmsted Building.
In Fall 2003, Penn State Harrisburg began to offer undergraduate degree courses for basic four year nurses on clinical rotation at Hershey Medical Center. The RN to BS Option Program is an option in the Undergraduate Baccalaureate nursing program which provides the opportunity for RN students to obtain a BS in Nursing.
At Penn State Harrisburg, an estimated 79% of students receive some sort of financial aid. Many hold full-time jobs and are raising families. Special programs are in place to assist non-traditional students - older students, women returning to college, and employed persons attending on a part-time basis.