Alvernia University Nursing School Review

Alvernia University (AU) is a Catholic institution based in Reading, Pennsylvania. The university was established in 1958 by the Bernardine Sisters in the Franciscan tradition. The University awards bachelor’s through master’s degrees in nursing, counseling, business, leadership, and education among other fields. Over 3,000 students are enrolled in Alvernia University’s various degree programs. Students can participate in NCAA Division III sports and over 55 student groups. Alvernia University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. The university has additional campuses in Philadelphia and Pottsville.

Nursing Programs

The Nursing Department at Alvernia University offers undergraduate and graduate programs rooted in the Franciscan Tradition. The Nursing Department has been in operation since 1977. The BSN (Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing) is approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing and Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Alvernia University Undergraduate Nursing Programs

Pre-license Baccalaureate in Nursing Program

The pre-licensure baccalaureate in nursing program is for students without previous healthcare education. The undergraduate program offers unique opportunities such as learning about patient advocacy and political activism in nursing, flexible scheduling for skills practice and the opportunity to participate in service learning courses. In order to be admitted to the nursing program as a freshman, students should have 29 credits or less. Students with at least 30 credits are granted sophomore standing in the nursing program. Admission requirements to the BSN program include a minimum high school GPA of 2.5 and a score of 1000 or better on the SAT. Sophomores and transfer students should have a minimum GPA of 2.5. The BSN program can be completed in four years. Upon completion of the undergraduate nursing program, students earn a BSN and are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN to obtain licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN).

RN to BSN (Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing) Program

For licensed nurses who would like to complete a BSN degree, the RN to BSN program offers flexible options for nursing education. The RN to BSN program is a hybrid (blended) nursing program with classes meeting once weekly and additional coursework being completed online. The nursing degree completion program requires 123 academic credits. Upon completion of the RN to BSN program, students receive a BSN degree.

Alvernia University Graduate Nursing Programs

MSN (Master of Science in Nursing) Program    

The MSN program at Alvernia University awards an MSN with a focus in Nursing Education. The graduate nursing program was designed to address the shortage in nursing education, by preparing graduates to teach in a variety of settings from pre-licensure and degree completion programs to online nursing degree options. Admission criteria for the program include completion of a research and statistics course at the undergraduate level with a grade of “C” or better and a satisfactory score on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or Miller Analogies Test (MAT). Students with a 3.0 or higher GPA do not have to submit GRE or MAT scores. Upon completion of the graduate nursing program, students will earn the MSN degree. The MSN program is 36 academic credits.

Alvernia University Nursing Certificate Programs

School Nurse Certification Program

The School Nurse Certification program is designed to teach BSN-qualified nurses the skills necessary to provide care to students in grades K-12. Admission requirements to the program include graduation from an accredited BSN program with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Upon completion of the undergraduate nursing program, students can pursue the School Nurse Certification exam through the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE).

Contact:
Alvernia University
400 Saint Bernardine Street,
Reading, PA 19607