If you’re passionate about nursing and want to get started in the shortest time possible, you should begin your career by enrolling in an Associate Degree in Nursing program. The associate degree program delivers basic education for adults to function as a registered nurse in acute and long-term care settings. Two years of full-time study will also set the foundation for ongoing nursing education, such as a Bachelor of Science or a Master of Science in Nursing. In today’s complex healthcare setting, BSN prepared nurses have the best opportunities due to advanced training in leadership, management, clinical judgment, informatics, and evidence-based practice. As an ADN graduate, you can improve your career outlook by enrolling in an RN to BSN program to complete the bachelor’s degree. The best part of it is that these programs are delivered online and could be completed in just 12 to 18 months.
The ADN degree is a most valuable training, as you’ll learn how to care for patients of diverse cultures across the lifespan, meet the healthcare needs of individuals, families, and communities, work collaboratively with other members of the healthcare team, and have a positive impact on both the patient and the healthcare system.
Community College of Philadelphia
The Community College of Philadelphia prepares adults to play a critical role in the delivery of patient care in the healthcare sector. Students will learn the legal and ethical aspects of nursing, how to assess patients, and develop and implement individualized patient care plans. The curriculum will include theory and practical instruction to prepare students for the delivery of safe, patient-centered, and competent care in various health care settings. The program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing. It is one of only 15 in the country to be chosen as a Center of Excellence by the National League for Nursing. Graduates will be prepared to take the NCLEX for licensure as a Registered Nurse.
Program Outline
Semester credits: 64
Duration: 4 semesters
Course titles:
Courses – English Composition I, Anatomy, Nutrition, Nursing I, Nursing II, Physiology, The Research Paper, Intermediate Algebra, Microbiology, Computer Science, Nursing III, Intro to Sociology Nursing IV, Humanities Course, Statistics for Science
Admission criteria:
- Have a high school diploma or GED
- Complete prerequisite courses by January 31 with a grade C or better – Biology, Chemistry, College Math, English
- Have a GPA of 2.75 or higher
- Must be 18 years of age or older before the first day of classes
- Attend an information session
- Submit an application by the specified deadline
- Take and pass the Kaplan Pre Nursing test
- Submit completed physical examination report including lab tests and immunizations
- Complete a criminal background check (Pennsylvania State Police and FBI) – a positive result will bar the student from admission to the nursing program
- Obtain Child Abuse Clearance
- Provide evidence of negative drug screen
- Have CPR certification – health care provider
- Have current health insurance and liability insurance
- Must have transport to the clinical site, uniforms, and supplies
Program Cost:
Tuition will cost $2,684 per semester for Philadelphia residents. Additional costs for admissions, fees, books, uniforms, transport, supplies, and insurance are the student’s responsibility. Financial aid is available for qualifying students.
- Website: https://ccp.edu/
- Address: 1700 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia, PA 19130
- Phone: 215-751-8000
- NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 89.76%
Harcum College
The Associate Degree in Nursing at Harcum College commences in the Fall semester and runs for two years. The theoretical part of the program is taught solely on the Bryn Mawr campus as well as the laboratory skills sessions. Clinical experiences are scheduled at leading health institutions in the community, including Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, Main Line Health, and Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital. These rotations provide opportunities for students to apply the knowledge learned in the classroom and lab. Part-time and full-time schedules are available. The didactic courses are delivered in the daytime. Clinical rotations may be scheduled during daytime, nighttime, and weekend hours. The comprehensive training promotes excellence through the combination of general education studies, core nursing courses, and supervised patient care rotations where students collaborate with the healthcare team. Graduates will be prepared to meet the holistic needs of patients across the health-illness continuum.
Program Outline
Semester credits: 66
Duration: 4 semesters
Course titles:
Prerequisite courses – Human Anatomy & Physiology I, Human Anatomy & Physiology II, Microbiology, English Composition I, English Composition II, College Mathematics, Introductory Psychology, Human Development, Introduction to Sociology, Humanities Elective
Courses – Fundamentals Concepts of Nursing Practice, Nursing of Adults I, Mental Health Nursing, Nursing of Adults II, Maternal Child Nursing, Nursing of Adults III, Transition to Professional Nursing Practice
Admission criteria:
- Complete an application to Harcum College
- Pay the non-refundable application fee – fee is waived for online applications
- Have a high school diploma or GED certificate
- Submit official transcripts of all college courses completed
- Applicants who speak English as a second language must submit TOEFL (87), IELTS (6.5), or DET (56) scores
- Write an essay outlining reasons for choosing nursing as a career
- Submit a professional resume with the application
- Take and pass the TEAS 6 exam
- Provide documentation of optimal health
- Complete the health and immunization requirements – including MMR, Varicella, and Hepatitis B
- Obtain yearly flu vaccination
- Have current Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers with AED certification
- Provide documentation of health insurance
- Obtain Child Abuse History Clearance and Federal Certified Criminal Background Check
- Submit a satisfactory TB QuantiFERON test
- Pass a 10-panel drug screen test
Program Cost:
The tuition of $14,750 per semester does not include the cost of books and fees. Financial aid is available for qualifying students.
- Website: https://www.harcum.edu/
- Address: 750 Montgomery Ave. Bryn Mawr, PA 19010-3476
- Phone: 610-525-4100
- NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 89.47%
Roxborough Memorial Hospital
Roxborough Memorial Hospital facilitates a Nursing Diploma that qualifies graduates to sit for the NCLEX to become a Registered Nurse. Offering a total of 66 credit hours of general education, science, and nursing courses, the curriculum is comparable to the Associate Degree in Nursing program offered at colleges. The first year covers a wide scope of study on the biopsychosocial, cultural, and spiritual influences that affect life. Instructors will direct students as they apply this knowledge to assess patients’ needs and implement care plans in a variety of health care settings. Studies in the second year build on the first-year coursework but add advanced concepts that will enable students to create care plans for more complex cases. Clinical experiences in various health care settings serve to reinforce the principles learned in the classroom and help students achieve their goal of excellence in practice.
Program Outline
Semester credits: 66
Duration: 4 semesters (22 months)
Course titles:
Prerequisite courses – Introduction to Psychology, English Composition, College Algebra, Anatomy & Physiology I, Anatomy & Physiology II, Chemistry, Microbiology, Nutrition, Developmental Psychology, Sociology
Courses – Foundations of Nursing, Medical-Surgical Nursing I, Mental Health Nursing, Medical-Surgical Nursing II, Management of Care
Admission criteria:
- Complete all prerequisite courses before applying to the nursing program
- Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5
- Have a minimum grade C on all prerequisite courses
- Have a high school diploma or GED
- Submit two professional letters of reference
- Obtain satisfactory clearances – Child Abuse, State and Federal Criminal Record
- Complete FBI fingerprinting
- Complete health and drug screening before admission to the program
- Applicants who speak English as a second language must take the TOEFL exam
- Submit an official sealed high school transcript or equivalent
- Submit official, sealed transcripts from all colleges attended
- Take and pass the ATI TEAS exam with a score of 58.7% or more
- Attend an Open House Information Session
Program Cost:
Tuition costs $30,300 for students who complete the program in the normal time. Additional costs include fees, ATI testing, graduation, uniforms, books, lab equipment, child abuse clearance, FBI fingerprinting, drug screening, Castle Branch, and clinical experience makeup.
- Website: https://roxboroughmemorial.com/our-services/school-of-nursing/
- Address: 5800 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19128
- Phone: 215-483-9900
- NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 88.04%
Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences
Students enrolled in the Associate Degree in Nursing program at Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences will develop and advance their clinical skills through rigorous classroom learning and practical instruction in a modern clinical lab and at leading health facilities. The school offers several tracks to accommodate students at every stage. The traditional two-year program offers a fast track to the associate degree and registered nursing practice. An evening/weekend option follows a full-time schedule in the first year with a reduced workload in the second and third years. It is specifically designed for those who must balance work and study. Licensed practical nurses have the option to enroll in the advanced placement track after completing the advanced placement assessment module. Upon completion of the module, LPNs will be able to bypass the first year of the program. This part-time track commences in the spring semester and meets in the evenings and weekends. A full-time summer program is also available.
Program Outline
Semester credits: 67
Duration: 4 semesters (22 months)
Course titles:
Prerequisite courses – Human Anatomy and Physiology I, English Composition, Clinical Mathematics for the Health Sciences
Courses – Foundations of Nursing Practice, Foundations of Nursing Practice – Clinical Laboratory, Human Anatomy and Physiology II, Families within the Community, Families within the Community – Clinical Laboratory, General Psychology, Microbiology, Nutrition for Life, Acute and Chronic Health Problems, Acute and Chronic Health Problems – Clinical Laboratory, Crisis and Complex Health Problems, Crisis and Complex Health Problems – Clinical Laboratory, Ethical and Legal Dimensions in the Health Science, Introduction to Sociology
Admission criteria:
- Must have graduated from an approved high school or have a GED
- Obtain satisfactory scores on the SAT or ACT exam – a combined reading and math score of 1000 or greater is acceptable
- Submit official transcripts of all educational institutions attended
- Submit to letters of recommendations from teachers, professors, employers, or community leaders
- Complete an essay listing top three reasons for choosing PA College
- Submit a completed application for admission before the specified deadline
- LPNs applying for advanced placement must have a valid state license
- Students must complete criminal background check, drug screen, and health requirements to participate in the clinical experience
Program Cost:
Tuition costs $1,635 per semester. Additional costs include fees, ATI testing, graduation, uniforms, books, lab equipment, child abuse clearance, FBI fingerprinting, drug screening, Castle Branch, and clinical experience makeup.
- Website: https://www.pacollege.edu/
- Address: 850 Greenfield Rd, Lancaster, PA 17601 US
- Phone: (800) 622-5443
- NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 92.39%
How Much Does An ADN Earn In Philadelphia?
Philadelphia’s high cost of living has a definitive influence on the pay rate for registered nurses. New graduates earn an average wage of $59,456 – which is about 13 percent more than the average entry-level wage for all states. The median annual wage for nurses with some experience is $81,760 and for experienced nurses holding management positions is $110, 410. If you’re living with Pennsylvania, moving to Philadelphia is one way to ensure you get the best wages although you’ll have to bear the drawbacks of living in a big city.
How Long is the ADN in Philadelphia?
The duration of the associate degree program in Philadelphia is 4 semesters or 22 months not including the time required to complete any prerequisite coursework.
What Is the Easiest Nursing Program to Get into In Philadelphia?
All nursing programs in Philadelphia have specific admission requirements designed to narrow the list of candidates for the competitive admission programs. Requirements for a satisfactory GPA and passing score an admission exam are designed to support your success and demonstrate your abilty to undertake the comprehensive course of study. That said, a side by side comparison of the admission requirements shows the Community College of Philadelphia to have the most simple and streamlined application process.
How Much Does an ADN Cost in Philadelphia?
Apart from ease of entry, the Community College of Philadelphia offers one of the most affordable nursing degree option in the city. The program cost will be in the region of $10,411 based on the publised per-semester rate. Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences has a semester tuition rate of $1,635 making it possible to complete your associate degree for a modest sum of $10,000 or less. As expected, the cost of tuition at private institutions is almost three times as much as public colleges.
How To Become a Registered Nurse in Pennsylvania?
The State Board of Nursing will license an individual to provide patient care after the completion of a state-approved school of nursing and passage of the NCLEX-RN exam.
To become eligible for examination for licensure, you must provide suitable evidence of completing a high school program and a state-approved professional nursing program. Acceptable programs include the associate degree, diploma in nursing, or a bachelor’s degree.
After completing the program, you must apply for and obtain a passing grade on the National Council of State Boards – Registered Nursing Exam (NCLEX-RN) or the State Board Test Pool Exam (SBTPE) as a requirement for licensure.
You will also need to complete 3 hours of Board-approved continuing education in child abuse recognition and reporting for initial licensure.
The initial licensing fee is $95 if you were educated in-state or $115 if you completed your nursing education program out of state.
See Pennsylvania RN Requirements and Training Programs for more details on acquiring a registered nursing license in Pennsylvania.
Can You Be An RN With an Associate Degree in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania is one of few states that accept the Diploma in Nursing that has been phased out in many states. An associate degree in nursing is also acceptable for entry into registered nursing. The ADN degree will get you into nursing, but if you plan to go the distance and have a rewarding career, completing the BSN through an RN to BSN program is recommended.
Can International Students Study Registered Nursing in Pennsylvania?
Absolutely. Like other colleges in the United States, Pennsylvania’s colleges accept and welcome international students. In Philadelphia, the Community College of Philadelphia and Harcum College offer stellar support to international students. You may find a wealth of resources on theor website outlining the preparation needed, admission process, and planning your trip. They also boast centers for international students with staff who will support you through the application and immigration process.
Some of the basic things you’ll need are a record of your high school education, an affidavit of support signed by your financial sponsors, financial documents, a copy of your passport, I-94 record, and a copy of current I-20 if you studied as an F-1 student in another school. The school will also need TOEFL scores if English is not your first language, SAT or ACT scores, and official transcripts if you plan to transfer previous coursework.