Temple University Health System Nursing School Review

Temple University Health System (TUHS) in Philadelphia was founded in 1995 in order to coordinate all the medical offerings of Temple University. Temple University Health System includes three hospitals, an ambulatory care center, a transport team, and a physicians’ group. In addition, Temple University Health System supports medical, nursing, pharmacy, and dentistry training and education programs offered through Temple University (TU) and the affiliated hospitals.  Among the nursing programs that it supports are programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral level through Temple University College of Health Professions and Social Work, as well as a diploma nursing program offered through Northeastern Hospital School of Nursing.

Northeastern Hospital School of Nursing Diploma in Nursing

Northeastern Hospital School of Nursing coordinates with the hospitals of Temple University Health System to provide its students with rigorous and varied clinical experiences.  The diploma nursing program begins in both January and May. If a student begins in January, he needs twenty-seven consecutive months of full-time study to earn his diploma. If he begins in May, he can complete the program in twenty-four months. Before beginning, however, a student must take ten prerequisite courses in English, psychology, anatomy and physiology, sociology, chemistry, and college math. Northeastern Hospital School of Nursing cooperates with the Community College of Philadelphia and Temple University to offer these classes. Once enrolled in the nursing program, a student focuses entirely on nursing classes. Clinical rotations begin in the very first term. Upon graduation, a student will receive a Diploma in Nursing, and be prepared to take the National Council Licensing Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX_RN). The Diploma in Nursing program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission and approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing.

Temple University Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Through Temple University Health System, Temple University offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program that is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Students in this four-year, full-time program begin right away with their first nursing course in the first semester of freshman year, which is unusual for traditional BSN programs. Throughout the eight semesters, they continue to take nursing courses and general education requirements simultaneously. In total, students in the BSN program must earn 122 credits to graduate. A graduate is eligible to take the NCLEX_RN.

Temple University Bachelor of Science in Nursing – RN to BSN

Temple University does not offer a separate BSN program for RNs, but it does welcome them to apply to the traditional, four-year BSN program. If accepted, they will receive thirty-one transfer credits toward the lower-level nursing courses. In addition to these transfer credits, they must either transfer in credits for general education requirements, or complete general education requirements at Temple University. Depending on how many general education courses an RN needs to take, the length of the RN to BSN program can vary. If the RN doesn’t need to complete any general education courses, she may complete the thirty credits of upper-level nursing courses in just four semesters.

Temple University Master of Science in Nursing

To advance in the field of nursing, an RN who holds a BSN degree may complete a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree through Temple University. The MSN program is accredited by the Commission on College Nursing Education. It consists of core graduate nursing classes, as well as classes in an area of specialization. Temple University offers two areas of specialization: Clinical Nurse Leader and Nurse Educator.

Clinical Nurse Leader

The Clinical Nurse Leader track of the MSN program prepares RNs to take charge of healthcare outcomes through data analysis and risk assessment. The program takes seven semesters on a part-time basis, or five semesters on a full-time basis. A CNL student must earn a total of forty-one credits, which include credits for core graduate nursing classes as well as credits for classes in the CNL area of focus. Some clinical hours are included.

Nurse Educator

The Nurse Educator track of the MSN program prepares RNs to train future nurses. To complete the program, a student must earn thirty-eight credits. This can be done over the course of seven semesters on a part-time basis or five semesters on a full-time basis. The program includes a teaching practicum.

Temple University Doctor of Nursing Practice – Post-MSN Entry

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at Temple University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. The traditional DNP program is for RNs who already have an MSN degree and advanced practice certification. It focuses on research and leadership skills, in order to train an advanced practice nurse to function at the highest level in his chosen field. A nurse who already has advanced practice certification only needs to complete thirty credits of core classes to earn his DNP degree. This can be done in four semesters on a full-time basis.

Temple University Doctor of Nursing Practice – Post-BSN Entry

RNs who hold a BSN degree are also welcome to enroll in the DNP program, but the course of study is longer, and includes a clinical focus as well as an emphasis on research and leadership. Students who enter the program with just a BSN must complete classes toward an advanced practice certification as Adult Nurse Practitioners (ANP), or as Family Nurse Practitioners (FNP). In addition, they must complete the thirty credits of core DNP classes. In total, a nurse on the ANP track must earn fifty-eight credits. A nurse on the FNP track must earn sixty-two credits. This takes seven semester on a full-time basis or ten semesters on a part-time basis.

Temple University Transition Program

The transition program is designed as a bridge into graduate education for RNs who hold a bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing. These RNs complete four classes, and are then eligible to bridge into the MSN or DNP program.

Contact:
Temple University Health System
Northeastern Hospital School of Nursing (NHSN),
2301 E. Allegheny Avenue,
Philadelphia, PA 19134

Temple University
College of Health Professions and Social Work (CHPSW),
Health Sciences Campus 3rd Floor,
Jones Hall, 1316 W. Ontario Street,
Philadelphia, PA 19140