BSN Degree - Undergraduate Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program

One of the top nursing schools in the Philadelphia suburbs and surrounding area, GMercyU offers a combination of educational advantages you won’t find elsewhere. With personal attention in and out of the classroom from experts in the field, GMercyU's BSN program is structured to provide a strong foundation in the liberal arts, sciences, Mercy values, and professional nursing practice. A graduate from the BSN program is prepared as an educated person, citizen of the world, and professional nurse.

As a graduate nurse generalist, you are educated to give direct and indirect nursing care in a variety of health care settings to individuals, families, communities, and diverse populations. Students acquire requisite knowledge, attitudes, and skills to contribute to the health care team in a variety of nursing roles such as caregiver, teacher, advocate, and leader. In addition, students obtain an education upon which graduate study for specialization in nursing may be built. 

We offer:

• Degree program fully approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing and accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• State-of-the-art technology, including low and high fidelity simulators and Advanced Video System (AVS) replay for improved confidence and deeper understanding 
• 100+ regional health care affiliations
• Richer learning experience with our low 7:1 laboratory and 7:1 clinical student-faculty ratios 
• All undergraduate bachelor's in nursing courses taught by experienced credentialed faculty with clinical backgrounds (no teaching assistants)
• Diverse, real-world clinical preparation featuring actual patient care and interaction with health care professionals in a variety of specialties and settings
• Opportunities to apply and participate in our Ireland summer abroad experience and our Spring Break service trip to Jamaica
• A spacious and safe 160-acre campus and all the benefits of a traditional undergraduate college experience, including rich campus life and 17 NCAA Division III athletic programs
• The Griffin Edge, which will help you connect the dots between your GMercyU experiences and your future aspirations, so you can ace future job interviews and launch a successful career

Licensure: This program was designed to meet national licensure requirements. Carefully review the process of your home state’s licensure requirements. For more information, please visit our Program Licensure Requirement page.

In addition to your general education requirements, you will complete the following courses as part of your undergraduate bachelor's degree in nursing.

Total Credits = 127 credits
General Education = 63 credits
Nursing = 64 credits

A minimum of 127 credits is required for the bachelor of science in nursing degree.

This program requires a criminal background check, child abuse clearance, certain immunizations, and other health-related clearances in order to participate in clinical experiences. See the undergraduate catalog for further information. 

Undergraduate Minors

Increase the value of your BSN degree by adding an undergraduate minor. GMercyU offers a wide variety of minors so you can choose the one that best meets your personal and professional goals.

Wondering what your courses will look like as a BSN major? Here is a closer look at a few, including two electives.

NUR 209 Fundamentals of Nursing Practice
This course provides an introduction to the fundamentals of nursing practice. Students will utilize the nursing process as a framework to apply nursing knowledge, diagnoses, interventions, and outcomes to individuals. Course concepts are grounded in evidence-based practice to promote, maintain, and restore health. Topics related to safety, oxygenation, ventilation, circulation, perfusion, ingestion, digestion, absorption, elimination, urinary, movement, sensory input and the nurse patient relationship and the roles of the professional nurse are explored. Emphasis is placed on applying knowledge and practicing skills in the nursing skills lab, simulation lab, and clinical setting.

NUR 307 Nursing Care of Adults
This course focuses on the physical, psychological, social, spiritual and cultural forces that influence the health of the adult population. Students will utilize the nursing process as a framework to apply nursing knowledge. Course concepts are grounded in evidence-based practice to promote, maintain and restore health. Topics related to safety, oxygenation, ventilation, circulation, perfusion, ingestion, digestion, absorption, elimination, regulatory, urinary, sensory input, movement and the nurse patient relationship. Emphasis is placed on application in the adult health clinical setting and simulation laboratory.

NUR 317 Nursing Care Women, Children and Family 
This course examines the childbearing and childrearing families in contemporary society. The nursing process is applied to provide holistic nursing person-centered care within the context of the family. Topics are related to safety and normal and altered physiologic processes as it affects the childbearing and childrearing families. Experiences in the classroom and clinical setting enable the student to integrate cultural sensitivity, clinical reasoning, communication skills, and therapeutic nursing interventions for women, children and families.

NUR 419 Synthesis of Learning for Nursing Practice
This course focuses on preparing the graduating nursing student for transition to professional nursing practice. Preparation is achieved through synthesis of acquired knowledge with emphasis on reflective practice and application of learning. An understanding of professional nursing standards, ethical problem solving, evidence-based practice and a commitment to lifelong learning will be provided. This course provides an integrative, theoretical and clinical experience.

NUR 423 Global Health & Health Policy
This course examines globalization and its impact on the health of all populations. Emerging diseases, environmental safety and health risks are addressed. Health care policy and the socioeconomic, geopolitical, ethical and cultural variables that influence health are explored. Critical analysis of selected global and national problems is examined within the framework of professional nursing practice. The importance of cultural sensitivity and ethical judgment are emphasized.

Sample Electives

NUR 414 Complementary & Integrative Health
This course will provide a comprehensive and clinical relevant coverage of complementary and alternative medicine. It will cover the history, philosophy, and mechanisms of alternative therapies and includes a thorough review of the clinically controlled trials, indications, and contraindications of each therapy.

NUR 490 Community Health Nursing in Ireland
This course explores the healthcare of individuals, families and aggregates in a variety of community settings in Ireland. The concepts of community health nursing and the roles of the professional nurse in the community of Ireland are critically analyzed and compared to the US Public health System. The impact of the health care delivery system of Ireland is presented. Health promotion, health protection and disease prevention are examined. Critical thinking is emphasized in assessing the community of Ireland. A variety of community settings as observational experiences are utilized including home care, hospice, extended care facilities and population focused settings.

For all GMercyU BSN program course descriptions, please refer to the undergraduate catalog.

Nursing Students Meet with PA Governor Josh Shapiro to Discuss the State's Nursing Shortage

GMercyU Hosts Nursing and Healthcare Career Fair

Nursing and Social Work Students Travel to Jamaica for Service Trip

Social Work, Nursing Students Participate in Poverty Simulations

Junior Nursing Student Receives AAUW Scholarship

GMercyU Reaccredited from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

A GMercyU BSN Alumna Reflects on Her Last Two Years as a Nurse

Meet GMercyU's Latest Patient Simulator, "Nursing Anne"

GMercyU Holds Largest-Ever Disaster Simulation for Nursing Students

Nursing Student Completes Independence Blue Cross Internship Program

Remembering Julia Wise: Posthumous Honorary BSN Degree Recipient

GMercyU Donates Medical Supplies to Support Local Hospitals’ COVID-19 Efforts

4 Reasons Employers Want BSN-Educated Nurses

Ann Gibbons Phalen, PhD, CRNP, NNP-BC
Position: Dean, Frances M. Maguire School of Nursing and Health Professions
Did You Know? Dean Phalen is passionate about neonatal nursing and is certified as a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner.
Read bio

Mary Hermann, EdD, MSN, RN
Position: Associate Dean and Professor, Nursing
Did You Know? Professor Hermann’s clinical background spans intensive care and medical surgical nursing.
Read bio

Laraine Amoia-Watters, EdD, MSN, CRNP
Position: Assistant Professor, BSN Program Coordinator
Did You Know? Professor Amoia-Watters is a member of Sigma Theta Tau, the National Honor Society for Nurses. 
Read bio

Through GMercyU’s 100+ regional health care affiliations, you’ll benefit from diverse, real-world clinical preparation featuring actual patient care and interaction with health care professionals in a variety of specialties and settings.

Here’s where our undergraduate nursing students have recently completed clinicals – and landed jobs after graduation:  

• Abington-Jefferson Health
• Doylestown Hospital
• Grand View Hospital
• Chestnut Hill Hospital
• Paoli Hospital
• Bryn Mawr Hospital
• Nazareth Hospital
• Holy Redeemer Hospital
• Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital
• Mercy Suburban Hospital 
• Einstein Montgomery 
• Foulkeways at Gwynedd
• Montgomery County Emergency Services     
• Aria – Jefferson Health 
• Children's Hospital of Philadelphia 
• Mercy Medical Center 
• St. Christopher's Hospital for Children   
• Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic

Where Nurses Work

• Hospitals
• Home care
• Hospice
• Long-term care facilities
• Health clinics
• Schools
• Pharmaceutical companies
•  …and more!

Top Jobs for Nursing Majors

Registered Nurse
Description: Registered nurses work with other health care professionals to provide and coordinate patient care. They offer emotional support to patients and their family members, and they educate patients and the public about health care.
Degree Requirements: Hospitals prefer a bachelor’s degree in nursing over an associates degree 
Salary Range: The national median salary in 2021 was $77,600 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Source

Nurse Manager/Supervisor
Description: These nurses have administrative duties – hiring and managing staff, maintaining schedules and budgets, ensuring that hospital protocols are followed, and more.
Degree Requirements: A bachelor’s degree; a master’s degree preferred
Average Salary: The national median salary in 2021 was $101,340 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Source

Nurse Practitioner
Description:  With advanced clinical skills, nurse practitioners provide primary care. They assess and diagnose patients, treat illnesses, and can prescribe medications. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that of all nursing career paths, nurse practitioners have the fastest rate of employment growth and is projected to be one of the top 10 fastest growing occupations in the U.S. economy.
Degree Requirements: Master’s degree
Average Salary: The national median salary in 2021 was $120,680, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Source

More Nursing Jobs to Consider

• Cardiac Nurse
• Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
• Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
• Critical Care Nurse
• Emergency Room Nurse
• Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
• Geriatric Nursing
• Perioperative Nurse (Surgical/OR Nurse)
• Mental Health Nurse
• Neonatal Nurse
• Nurse Educator
• Nurse Manager
• Nurse Midwife
• Nursing Administrator
• Oncology Nurse
• Orthopedic Nurse
• Pediatric Nurse
• Public Health Nurse
• Travel Nurse

*Some of these specialties require additional education.

GMercyU’s undergraduate four-year BSN degree provides you with the quality education and clinical experience you need to succeed.

Our alumni are known — and celebrated — for their outstanding skills and compassionate care, like Aubrey Cook '18, a critical care nurse and recipient of The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses.

"I have the best job in the world," says Aubrey. 

More Success Stories

Dan Martin '22
Current Position: Registered Nurse, Main Line Health
After serving in the military for several years, Dan chose GMercyU (a Yellow Ribbon school) for its smaller size, which he feels allow for better relationships between professors and students, and between peers. "Smaller schools and programs really make you feel as if you have mentors and people looking out for your well-being instead of being just a number," he said. Dan landed a job right after graduation. Learn more about his GMercyU experience.


Kohler Setley '21
Current Position: Med-Surg/Telemetry Unit Nurse at Reading Hospital
As a BSN major, Kohler completed clinicals at Chestnut Hill Hospital, CHOP, Montgomery County Emergency Services, St. Mary’s Hospital, GrandView Hospital, and Einstein Montgomery Hospital. He started applying for jobs in nurse residency programs in December 2020. After interviewing with Reading Hospital and shadowing a nurse there for a day, he was sold. “I accepted the job a few days later, in mid-December of my senior year,” Kohler said. Learn more about Kohler's GMercyU experience.


Maria Sansom ’19
Current Position: Travel Nurse (formerly a Pediatric Nurse Technician at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia)
After participating in an Alternative Spring Break Trip to Cincinnati – where she worked in shelters for survivors of domestic abuse and other dire situations – Maria was inspired to launch her own non-profit called Baby Bundles. Its mission was to ensure and restore dignity and hope to disadvantaged expectant mothers by offering beautifully packaged “bundles” of newborn necessities. Maria was awarded the 2019 Alumni Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Student. After graduation, she successfully passed the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) and accepted a job at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). "If you put in the hard work, you’re going to see the results and you’re going to be able to achieve your dreams," said Maria. Learn more about Maria’s GMercyU experience.

Meet more GMercyU Nursing alumni. 

GMercyU offers multiple options for undergraduate nursing transfer students, depending on your needs and timing. Learn more about our transfer nursing programs here and see details on our special transfer student grants here.

If have any questions about transferring, please contact contact our Admissions Office at admissions@gmercyu.edu or 215-641-5510. We're ready to help you!

Have questions about GMercyU's admissions requirements? Our Admissions Staff is ready to walk you through the process of applying or transferring to GMercyU’s BSN program.

Email: admissions@gmercyu.edu
Phone: 215-641-5510

Apply now

Please note: Students enrolling in this program must have the ability to obtain a U.S. background check and other clearances for placement in a U.S. clinical/school setting. U.S. citizenship or permanent residency is also a requirement for licensure within certain academic programs. International students and students who are under DACA status or are undocumented should carefully review the licensure requirements in their state before enrolling in a degree program that leads to licensure. Additional information can be found on the National Conference of State Legislatures website. 

At GMercyU, we strive to make a quality education accessible to all through financial aid, scholarships, and grants. As a military-friendly university, we welcome service members and participate in all VA educational benefits programs. 

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As a bachelor's in nursing student at GMercyU, you will work closely with faculty and other students who share your passion for providing exceptional nursing care. And you will develop the knowledge and clinical skills needed to become a leader in the nursing profession, which is why we are ranked as one of the top nursing schools in the Philadelphia area.

Earn your Bachelor of Science in Nursing with GMercyU. Get started today!

Apply now