Pennsylvania College of Technology

Nursing Programs Offered

ADN Programs
Adult Health Nursing - Bachelor's degree
BSN Programs
LPN Programs
RN Programs
RN to BSN Programs

ADN Program Details

This curriculum prepares graduates to assume beginning staff nurse positions in hospitals, nursing homes, and other health related institutions. Upon successful completion of the major, the graduate is eligible to take the registered nurse licensing examination (NCLEX-RN). With work experience and continuing education, the graduate may develop the ability to assume responsibility for administering or directing the health care of a group of patients/clients. This curriculum provides the foundation for a baccalaureate degree in nursing.

Graduates find jobs in hospitals, long-term care facilities, home health agencies, state and federal health related facilities, private duty nursing agencies, and within the office practice of physicians, surgeons, and dentists.

BSN Program Details

This unique completion major is specifically designed for the registered nurse who wishes to earn a degree on a full- or part-time basis. The baccalaureate curriculum builds on the knowledge and skills possessed by RNs who have graduated from diploma- and associate- degree nursing programs. The standard curriculum plan, directly applicable to Penn College associate-degree nursing graduates, is designed to be completed in four semesters; although students can complete the major at their own pace. Other curriculum plan options are available, depending on the number of transfer credits accorded for previous college work. The bachelor-degree major prepares licensed registered nurses to contribute to the quality provision of nursing care in a rapidly changing health care environment. This major will enable nurses to build upon their knowledge base and assume positions of responsibility in a variety of health care settings, from promoting health and facilitating adaptation to increasingly complex health care problems/needs. The curriculum offers a required core of nursing and general education courses with elective course options based on student educational and career goals.

A graduate of this major should be able to:

-engage as a generalist synthesizing knowledge from nursing, the liberal arts and sciences to make decisions for caring nursing practice that is evidence-based, theory-guided, holistic, and culturally competent (clinician).
-facilitate the teaching-learning process to improve health and reduce risks (educator).
-advocate for the health care needs of clients of all ages, families and communities in a variety of health care settings (advocate).
-analyze research findings and identify research problems related to the nursing care of clients within the health care delivery system (research consumer).
-fulfill responsibilities of professional nursing through the integration of leadership and management skills in developing collaborative relationships with other health care providers to improve the delivery of health care (leader).
-establish accountability for ethical, political, and legal concerns and responsibility for one's own practice, professional growth, life-long learning, and the development of the profession in an atmosphere of mutual respect and understanding (professional growth and development).

LPN Program Details

This 17-month major is designed to prepare graduates to enter the field of practical nursing or to continue their education at the associate or baccalaureate level. Graduates who successfully complete the program are eligible to take the Practical Nursing licensing exam (NCLEX-PN) and work under the direction of a licensed professional nurse, licensed physician, or dentist. Practical Nursing education is a process through which the student has the opportunity to acquire knowledge, skills, attitudes, and judgment in order to provide safe nursing care. Classroom instruction in theory and basic nursing skills is provided on campus. Clinical experiences are obtained at area hospitals, nursing homes, and health care agencies. Under the guidance of College faculty, students gain valuable experience in the care of clients of all ages. See the Certificate program for Practical Nursing for additional essential information.

A graduate of this major should be able to:

-demonstrate behaviors of accountability and professionalism according to legal and ethical standards for a competent LPN.
-effectively communicate with patients, significant support persons, and members of the health care team, incorporating interpersonal and therapeutic communication skills.
-collect holistic assessment data from multiple sources, communicate data to appropriate health care providers, and evaluate client response to interventions.
-collaborate with RNs and other members of the health care team to organize and incorporate assessment data to plan, revise, and reinforce patient care, teaching, and actions based on established nursing diagnoses, nursing protocols, assessments, and evaluation data.
-demonstrate a caring, empathetic approach to safe, therapeutic, and individualized care to clients of diverse ages; religions; and socioeconomic, ethnic, or cultural backgrounds.
-use scientific knowledge, mathematical skills, and technical skills to implement patient care under the direction of an RN, physician, or dentist through performance of nursing interventions or directing aspects of care, as appropriate, to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP).