University of Pittsburgh at Bradford Nursing School Review

The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford (Pitt Bradford, UPB), which was founded in 1963, is located in the northwest part of Pennsylvania. The school enrolls approximately 1500 students in its associate-degree, bachelor’s-degree, and graduate-degree programs. Among the programs are several in the field of nursing, offered through the school’s Biological and Health Sciences Academic Division. The nursing programs are accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission and approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing.

Associate of Science in Nursing – Nursing-AS

The university’s Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) program, called Nursing-AS, is a two-year program. Before beginning it, a student must complete prerequisites in English, mathematics, social sciences, biology, and chemistry. Once enrolled, an ASN student must take sixty-four credits, which includes classroom instruction and clinical rotations. The program begins each fall. A graduate is eligible to take the National Council Licensing Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX_RN). If successful, he may seek employment as a Registered Nurse (RN).

Associate of Science in Nursing – LPN to RN Option

A graduate of a Practical Nursing program who is a current Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) may receive advanced placement in the ASN program through the LPN to RN option. She can receive five credits toward the lower-level nursing courses by taking an exam and completing a course called Transition Nursing for LPNs. She must complete the rest of the ASN program along the traditional course sequence.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Nursing-BSN

The university’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, called Nursing-BSN or RN to BSN Degree Completion program, is not a traditional BSN program designed for incoming freshman; the program is for graduates of an ASN program or a diploma in nursing program. In total, a student in the BSN program must earn 120 credits. At least thirty-five of these are advanced placement credits for lower-level nursing courses, transferred from his previous coursework. He must complete all university general education requirements as well as upper-level nursing courses. A student may pursue the program on a part-time basis or on a full-time basis. Not counting the general education courses, a student can complete the nursing courses in the RN to BSN completion program in just two semesters on a full-time basis, or in four semesters on a part-time basis.

Master of Science in Nursing

The University of Pittsburgh-Bradford does not offer a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. However, students may pursue an MSN degree through the University of Pittsburgh-Oakland while remaining on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh-Bradford. A student in the Clinical Nurse Leader track of the MSN program can complete all courses online. A student in any of the other tracks (Nursing Administration, Nursing Education, Nursing Informatics, Nursing Research, Nurse Anesthesia) can complete classes on the Bradford campus, via distance technology. Students should consult with advisors at both the University of Pittsburgh-Bradford and the University of Pittsburgh-Oakland to plan out an appropriate course of study.

Contact:
University of Pittsburgh-Bradford
300 Campus Drive,
Bradford, PA 16701