Nursing Associate Degree
Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences started as a nursing school more than 100 years ago. Today, our RN associate degree builds upon this legacy with the experiential learning that’s been deemed among the nation’s best in class.
About
Go hands-on from day one. Experience real-life medical scenarios in the region’s most advanced simulation lab. You’ll even get to hone your skills at our clinical affiliate, Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health.
Our nursing associate degree program has four options, or tracks:
2+2 track
If you’re passionate about nursing and driven to succeed, you’ll love our 2+2 Nursing (ASN+BSN). It gives entry-level students an expedited way to start their careers in a fast-paced, fast-growing job market. The 2+2 combines our two-year ASN with an RN to BSN with no breaks in between degrees.
Two-year track
Students meet during the week for classes and clinical experiences. Clinical experiences are held on days and evenings, Monday through Friday. Prior to these experiences, students must complete specific assignments. This might include a visit to the hospital or other site.
Three-year evening/weekend track
Courses occur over three years. Students meet one or two evenings per week and complete the clinical requirements Saturday and Sunday, every other weekend during daytime or evening hours. Students must complete preparation for their clinical experience on Friday afternoon or evening. This frequently includes a visit to Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health.
LPN advanced placement track
Licensed practical nurses have the opportunity for advanced placement. Students accepted into the program must complete the LPN Assessment Module. Successful completion exempts students from NUR 101, NUR 102, NUR 111 and NUR 112.
See the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ job outlook.
Accreditation
Our nursing associate degree program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. See more accreditation information.
Will I be successful?
| GRADUATION YEAR | *150 % GRADUATION RATE | **EMPLOYED % | ***PASSED CERTIFICATION % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 75.85% | 94.20% | 87.00% |
| 2014-15 | 80.10% | 88.50% | 84.00% |
| 2013-14 | 80.79% | 81.50% | 78.60% |
| *150% or 3 year graduation rate for fall starts. | |||
| **Employment rate from Graduate Survey and personal communication with graduates. This data is self-reported from the respondents. | |||
| ***NCLEX pass rate for first time test takers from October to September | |||
Not sure if this is the right nursing program for you? Browse all nursing options.
Requirements
Applicants for any ASN program must meet general admission requirements.
Curriculum
Associate in Science in Nursing Program: Two-Year Track
| Year 1, Semester 1 | ||
| BIO 175 | Human Anatomy & Physiology I | 4 |
| ENG 100 | English Composition | 3 |
| MAT 150 | Clinical Mathematics for the Health Sciences | 3 |
| NUR 101 | Foundations of Nursing Practice | 5 |
| NUR 111 | Foundations of Nursing Practice: Clinical Laboratory | 2 |
| Total Credits | 17 | |
| Year 1, Semester 2 | ||
| BIO 176 | Human Anatomy & Physiology II | 4 |
| NUR 102 | Families Within the Community | 7 |
| NUR 112 | Families Within the Community: Clinical Laboratory | 3 |
| PSY 100 | General Psychology | 3 |
| Total Combined Credits | 34 | |
| Year 2, Semester 1 | ||
| BIO 185 | Microbiology | 3 |
| BIO 250 | Nutrition for Life | 3 |
| NUR 201 | Acute and Chronic Health Problems | 7 |
| NUR 211 | Acute and Chronic Health Problems: Clinical Laboratory | 4 |
| Total Credits | 17 | |
| Year 2, Semester 2 | ||
| NUR 202 | Crisis and Complex Health Problems | 7 |
| NUR 212 | Crisis and Complex Health Problems: Clinical Laboratory | 5 |
| PHI 210 | Ethical and Legal Dimensions in the Health Sciences | 1 |
| SOC 100 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| Total Combined Credits | 67 |
Associate in Science in Nursing Program: Three-Year Track
| Year 1, Prerequisites | ||
| BIO 175 | Human Anatomy & Physiology I | 4 |
| BIO 176 | Human Anatomy & Physiology II | 4 |
| Total credits | 8 | |
| Year 1, Semester 1 (Fall) | ||
| ENG 100 | English Composition | 3 |
| MAT 150 | Clinical Mathematics for the Health Sciences | 3 |
| NUR 101 | Foundations of Nursing Practice | 5 |
| NUR 111 | Foundations of Nursing Practice: Clinical Laboratory | 2 |
| Total credits for fall semester | 13 | |
| Year 1, Semester 2 (Spring) | ||
| NUR 102 | Families Within the Community | 7 |
| NUR 112 | Families Within the Community: Clinical Laboratory | 3 |
| PSY 100 | General Psychology | 3 |
| Total credits for spring semester | 13 | |
| Total Combined Credits | 34 | |
| Year 2, Semester 1 (Fall) | ||
| BIO 185 | Microbiology | 3 |
| NUR 203 | Acute and Chronic Health Problems Part 1 | 4 |
| NUR 213 | Acute and Chronic Health Problems Part 1: Clinical Laboratory | 2 |
| Total credits for fall semester | 9 | |
| Year 2, Semester 2 (Spring) | ||
| NUR 204 | Acute and Chronic Health Problems Part 2 | 3 |
| NUR 214 | Acute and Chronic Health Problems Part 2: Clinical Laboratory | 2 |
| PHI 210 | Ethical and Legal Dimensions in the Health Sciences | 1 |
| Total credits for spring semester | 6 | |
| Total Combined Credits | 49 | |
| Year 3, Semester 1 (Fall) | ||
| BIO 250 | Nutrition for Life | 3 |
| NUR 205 | Crisis and Complex Health Problems Part 1 | 4 |
| NUR 215 | Crisis and Complex Health Problems Part 1: Clinical Laboratory | 2 |
| Total credits for fall semester | 9 | |
| Year 3, Semester 2 (Spring) | ||
| NUR 206 | Crisis and Complex Health Problems Part 2 | 3 |
| NUR 216 | Crisis and Complex Health Problems Part 2: Clinical Laboratory | 3 |
| SOC 100 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| Total credits for spring semester | 9 | |
| Total Combined Credits | 67 |
*indicates course includes clinical experiences