Nursing Schools in Pennsylvania

Guide to Pennsylvania Nursing Degree Programs

A lot of people apply for slots in Pennsylvania nursing schools, so if you are planning to take up nursing, you better start preparing for your school application and requirements. It is really not surprising that a lot of people are interested in working as nurses in Pennsylvania because of the world renowned hospitals found in this part of the country. Temple University Hospital in Philadelphia, Western Pennsylvania Hospital, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia are just some of the medical centers and hospitals that are known for providing top notch working conditions for nurses.

It is also worth mentioning that the nursing community in Pennsylvania is very active and supportive. Student Nurses’ Association of Pennsylvania is an organization that provides students of Pennsylvania nursing schools with adequate training and resources to improve their nursing skills. Meanwhile, the Pennsylvania State Nurses Association is the main organization that advocates the nursing profession as well as protects the welfare of its member nurses.

Students enrolled in Pennsylvania nursing schools also enjoy various financial aids from both private and state foundations and groups. For example, undergraduate students of nursing in Pennsylvania can get Pauline Thomson Nursing Education Scholarship. Those who want to pursue graduate nursing courses could also benefit from the Nightingale Awards of Pennsylvania Scholarship. Meanwhile, active duty or veteran military personnel as well as their dependents can pursue nursing degrees with the help of Jack E. Barger Sr. Scholarship.

Pennsylvania Nursing Job Outlook and Salary

Due to the increase in the number of nursing students in Pennsylvania nursing schools in past years, the shortage in nurses in the state is declining. However, this does not mean that there will be no shortage in the future. In 2010, the estimated shortage of registered nurses will be around 8,000 to 14,400. Although the efforts by the Department of Labor and Industry and the Pennsylvania Center for Health Careers to increase the number of enrollees in nursing courses and to make the nursing profession more attractive seem to be working, there are still a lot of things that needed to be done to curb the current statewide nurse shortage.

If you are planning to work as a nurse in Pennsylvania, you should know that hospitals and companies are more than willing to give nurses high basic salary and other attractive benefit packages depending on the work area. In fact, some groups offer signing bonuses. The average total compensation package of a staff nurse is $93,346 in Philadelphia and $86,324 in Pittsburg.

Additional Nursing Schools in Pennsylvania

La Salle University School of Nursing and Health Sciences
Mifflin Juniata Career & Technology Center Practical Nursing Program
Penn State School of Nursing
University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing
UPMC Mercy School of Nursing