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BSN Degree - Undergraduate Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program

What is Nursing?

Nursing is a profession that is an integral part of the health care system. A nurse is responsible for taking care of ill or injured patients, as well as checking the health of well patients. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, duties performed by nurses include providing patient care, assessment of patients, developing nursing care plans and educating patients about their conditions. Here at Gwynedd Mercy University, we have one of the top BSN programs in Philadelphia that will provide you with the right tools to achieve a career in the nursing field.

Earn Your Undergraduate BSN from a Leader in Nursing Education

A BSN is a 4 year nursing program that is the standard for entry-level nursing positions today, and is increasingly a prerequisite for work in hospital settings. Whether you're a recent high school graduate, a transfer student, or a Registered Nurse looking to earn your BSN degree, we can help you become the nurse you are meant to be. 

As one of the most established undergraduate nursing programs in Philadelphia, Gwynedd Mercy University’s Frances M. Maguire School of Nursing and Health Professions has built a reputation for innovation and leadership in nursing that spans more than 50 years. GMercyU is known for producing excellent nurses, and our undergraduate BSN degree programs are the makings of future nurse leaders.

BSN Degree - Start Here!

Offered on our 160-acre campus in Gwynedd Valley, Pa., our undergraduate 4 year BSN degree bachelor's degree provides you with the quality education and clinical experience you need to succeed, along with all the benefits of a traditional undergraduate college experience, including a rich campus life  and 19 NCAA Division III athletic programs. 

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. You also will develop the knowlege 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 Philadelphia.

If you already hold a bachelor of science in nursing, check out GMercyU's graduate nursing programs.

What Do Nurses Do?

  • Provide various levels of patient care
  • Assess patients well being both emotionally, and physically
  • Develop nursing care plans
  • Educate patients about managing their conditions
  • Consult with health care providers

Other Degree Options

Weekend BSN

Change Careers with our Weekend BSN Program

For students who hold a bachelor's degree in another field and want to become a nurse, GMercyU offers a Weekend BSN on our Main Campus in Gwynedd Valley, Pa.  Learn more about GMercyU's Weekend BSN program.

The GMercyU Difference

Gwynedd Mercy University, one of the top nursing schools in Philadelphia, provides a combination of educational advantages that you won’t find anywhere else.  Here, you will develop your sense of professional ethics as well as the leadership, interpersonal and technological skills you need to be a well-rounded nurse leader.  We offer:

  • State-of-the-art technology, including SIM mannequins and Advanced Video System (AVS) replay for improved confidence and deeper understanding
  • 200+ regional health care affiliations
  • Richer learning experience with our low 13:1 laboratory and 8:1 clinicals student-faculty ratios 
  • All undergraduate bachelor's in nursing courses taught by experienced, credentialed instructors 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
  • Degree program approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing and accredited by Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
  • Study abroad in Ireland at the University of LImerick. Learn more about this opportunity on our study abroad page!

Options for Transfer Students

Three-Year Program: Through a special degree completion program, transfer students with 24 to 35 (or more) transferable credits can earn a BSN in just three years. You will need to have completed either Anatomy and Physiology I and II or Chemistry for Health Professions I and II (or equivalent courses) to graduate within three academic years. You also may be eligible for a special transfer student scholarship when you enroll on our Main Campus

Undergraduate Minors

Increase the value of your 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.

Curriculum

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

Nursing Courses:  65 Credits 

NUR 208 Introduction to Professional Nursing (1 credit)
NUR 209 Fundamentals of Nursing Practice  (4 credits)
NUR 212 Health Assessment in Nursing  (3 credits)
NUR 213 Evidence Based Practice in Nursing (2 credits)
NUR 307 Nursing Care of Adults (6 credits)
NUR 313 Contemporary Issues in Professional Nursing (2 credits)
NUR 314  Pharmacology  (2 credits)
NUR 315 Pathophysiology  (3 credits)
NUR 316 Nursing Care of Clients w/Alterations in Behavioral Health (4 credits)
NUR 317 Nursing Care of Women, Children & Families (5 Credits)
NUR 319 Nursing Care of Adults with Complex Health Care Problems  (5 credits)
NUR 413 The Older Adult (2 credits)
NUR 417 Genomics in Nursing (3 credits)
NUR 419 Synthesis of Learning for Nursing Practice (6 credits)
NUR 422 Health and Illness in the Community  (6 credits)
NUR 423 Global Health & Health Policy (2 credits)
NUR 431 Nursing Research (3 credits
NUR 4001 Leadership and Management in Professional Nursing – Capstone
NUR Elective

 

Nutrition - 3 credits 

NUT 200  Principles of Nutrition (3 credits)

Credit requirement
A minimum of 132 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 more information.

To review course descriptions, please refer to the undergraduate catalog (PDF).

 

Clinical Placements

Here are some places where GMercyU’s undergraduate nursing students have completed their clinicals:

  • Abington Memorial Hospital 
  • Doylestown Hospital
  • Grand View Hospital
  • Chestnut Hill Hospital
  • Mercy Philadelphia Medical Center
  • Paoli Hospital
  • Bryn Mawr Hospital
  • Nazareth Hospital
  • Holy Redeemer Hospital
  • Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital
  • Mercy Suburban Hospital
  • Einstein Montgomery
  • Horsham Clinic
  • Foulkeways
  • Montgomery County Emergency Services
  • Artman Lutheran Home
  • Aria Health
  • Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
  • Fox Chase Cancer Center
  • Mercy Medical Center
  • St. Christopher's Hospital for Children

Accreditation

In addition to the University’s accreditation by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs as well as the post-graduate APRN certificate program in Gwynedd Mercy University's Frances M. Maguire School of Nursing and Health Professions are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (www.ccneaccreditation.org).

Our Outstanding Faculty

Mary Herman
Associate Dean and Professor
Nursing
Dean of GMercyU Nursing & Health Professions
Dean, Frances M. Maguire School of Nursing and Health Professions
View all Faculty

Career Outcomes

A bachelor's degree in Nursing will prepare you to meet the growing demand for fully trained nurses. BSN-educated nurses experience a 37% increase in career options, and a 76% increase in earnings, according to data available on BurningGlass.com* and Payscale.com, respectively.

*Based on analysis of job postings 4/24/13-7/21/13

Possible careers for nursing majors

•    Acute Care Nurse
•    Ambulatory Care Nurse
•    Ambulatory Child Health
•    Cardiovascular Nurse
•    Community Health Nurse
•    Community Mental Health Nurse
•    Correctional Health Nurse
•    Critical Care Nurse
•    Diabetes Nursing
•    Emergency Nurse
•    Gerontology Nurse
•    Maternity Nursing
•    Medical-Surgical Nurse
•    Mental Health Nurse
•    Midwife
•    Neonatal Nurse
•    Neurological Nurse

•    Nurse Anesthetist
•    Nurse Paralegal
•    Nurse Supervisor
•    Occupational Health Nurse
•    Office Nurse
•    Oncology Nurse
•    Pediatric Nurse
•    Primary Ambulatory Care Nurse
•    Professor in Nursing Education
•    Psychiatric Nurse
•    Public Health Specialist
•    Pulmonary Nurse
•    Rehabilitation Nurse
•    School Nurse
•    Trauma Nurse
•    Traveling Nurse

*Some of these careers may require additional education.

*This is only a partial list and not meant to limit you.

Related Degrees

Evening & Weekend BSN Program (Part-Time Nursing Degree)
Accelerated Nursing Program (ABSN, Second Degree)
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