Nursing, RN to B.S.N., Completion, Online

All students in this major are required to maintain a cumulative (GPA) of 2.0 or greater to remain in the nursing major. In addition, all students must earn a "C" (2.0) or higher in all NUR, BIO, and CHM courses; if a lower grade is earned in any of these courses, the course must be repeated. 

The following grading system applied to all nursing courses in this major. There is no rounding of grades: 
A = 90-100 
B = 80-89.99 
C = 75-79.99 
F = 74.99 and below

Child abuse clearances and criminal background checks are required by some agencies involved in clinical practice experiences. Agencies can prohibit students from participating in clinical experiences at their sites if a criminal record exists or a positive drug test is noted. By virtue of contract for Pennsylvania College of Technology, when students are at a clinical site, agencies have the right to ask for random drug testing. Inability to complete clinical, fieldwork, or intern educational experiences will result in the inability to meet course and program outcomes. For additional clarification, students can speak with their program director. 

The Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing advises that a drug-related conviction and/or conviction of a felonious act or two misdemeanors might result in denial and/or revocation of a license to practice nursing. In accordance with the professional Nurse Law, Act of 1951, P.L. 317, No. 69, as amended, the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing shall not issue a license to an applicant who has been convicted of a felonious act prohibited by the Act known as “The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and cosmetic Act” or convicted of a felony relating to a controlled substance in a court of law of the United States or any other state, territory or country unless a least 10 years have elapsed from the date of the conviction.

Penn College complies with the federal Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989. Pursuant to this Act, all forms of marijuana, including medical marijuana, are classified as prohibited controlled substances. Additionally, alcohol, illegal drugs, and legal drugs obtained without a prescription, or which may impair a student’s ability to perform his/her educational responsibilities are strictly prohibited. Students are subject to drug screening at various phases of the program. Please note that a positive drug screening for marijuana will be deemed a positive test and will result in a student being dismissed from the program, even if the student has been lawfully certified to use medical marijuana and/or possesses a valid medical marijuana identification card issued in accordance with applicable state law.

Registered nurses seeking entrance must (1) be a graduate of an accredited associate degree and/or diploma nursing program, (2) submit a copy of their current, active, unencumbered RN license in any state with eligibility for licensure in Pennsylvania to the Admissions office. Alternatively, students currently enrolled in an accredited associate degree nursing program at another institution may be eligible for concurrent enrollment; eligibility will be based on additional requirements beyond College admission. Questions about the concurrent enrollment option may be directed to the Nursing, RN to BSN, Completion program director. All students entering the major will be treated as transfer students, including students who have graduated with Penn College's associate-degree major.

Students must acquire their own tools and laptop computer as noted below.

Required Laptop Computer

• Chromebooks and other devices running Chrome OS are prohibited.
• Unless otherwise specified by your major, MacBooks and other Apple products are not recommended for coursework.
• Windows 11 or higher (recommended).
• Intel Core i5 or i7 or AMD Ryzen 5 or 7 processor (recommended).
• ARM based processors are not recommended.
• 16+ GB RAM (recommended). 
• 250+ GB Solid State Disk (SSD) drive (recommended).
• The laptop must include a webcam and microphone (required).
• The laptop must include a wireless network card (required).
• Broadband Internet connection when working off campus (required).
• Extended support agreement, including accidental damage protection (recommended).
• Power bank suitable for your laptop (recommended). 

Students who have studied previously at the college level are required to submit all transcripts to the Admissions Office. All general education/liberal arts courses that meet core College requirements for baccalaureate degrees will be eligible for transfer according to College policy. The transfer of nursing credits is evaluated on an individual basis according to the nursing program's policy. Students must have a minimum grade of 'C' (2.0) in courses transferred into the major. All Pennsylvania College of Technology associate-degree requirements will apply toward the bachelor-degree requirements. A block of 38 nursing credits will be transferred from an accredited associate-degree or diploma nursing curricula. Students must complete at least 36 credits at Pennsylvania College of Technology for course work prescribed in the final four semesters of a student's profile including required summer courses within or following the final four semesters.

International health credentials/licensure, sciences courses, and most math courses will not be accepted to satisfy requirements of this major. Please see additional information for international students applying to the School of Nursing & Health Science Majors.

The baccalaureate nursing program at Pennsylvania College of Technology located in Williamsport, Pennsylvania is accredited by the:  

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400
Atlanta, Georgia 30326
(404) 975-5000 

The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the baccalaureate nursing program is continuing accreditation. 

View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program at https://www.acenursing.org/search-programs.

Alternative Credit refers to academic credits earned through means other than traditional college course completion, including: credit by exam, articulation, proof of competency gained in high school, work/life experience, and advanced placement.

Visit the Alternative Credit Options page for requirements and procedures and for information on credit through Advanced Placement.

This is an online major. Therefore, students must have access to a reliable computer and internet. 

Program Review Executive Summary

International students who are studying in the United States on an F-1 visa must be enrolled in a full course of study in-person. Students are not permitted to enroll in an entirely online degree. Online degrees are available to international students pursuing the degree from their home country. Students must still meet all admissions criteria for admission to the college and any special admissions requirements that govern pursuit of their chosen major.

Accreditation & Outcomes Information

Contact the Program Director:

Amber Morgan; Kelly Bidlespacher
nursingadministration@pct.edu 
570 320 2400 ext. 4525

Nursing Advisory Committee Members