Expand your nursing knowledge online
Accelerate your nursing career through Carlow University’s RN to BSN online program. Prepare to deliver compassionate, high-quality care for all patients.
Become a licensed registered nurse: Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Are you ready to make a difference in health care? As a graduate of Carlow’s highly regarded nursing program, you’ll be able to hit the ground running as a nurse, or take your nursing career to the next level. NCLEX pass rates for graduates of our pre-licensure BSN nursing program are among the highest in Southwestern Pennsylvania.
Carlow’s urban location offers opportunities for student involvement in many dimensions of health care.
As you progress through the program, you will learn to think clearly and creatively, pursue intellectual endeavors, and respond ethically in a spirit of cultural competence and social justice. The program serves as a basis for graduate study and a foundation for lifelong learning.
Degree:
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Delivery:
On campus, some online
Campus:
Oakland
Transfer credits:
Up to 90 credits
BSN nursing curriculum
Carlow’s BSN nursing program requires 120 credits (63 must be completed at Carlow); the curriculum includes general education, supportive sciences, and liberal arts to develop a well-rounded student. You will enroll in the first clinical nursing course the first semester of your sophomore year after successful completion of required support courses. Clinical nursing experience is provided at various health agencies in the area.
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing curriculum meets the requirements for NCLEX (the national licensure exam for Registered Nursing) and APRN licensure in all U.S. states and territories, should you wish to further your education in an advanced practice nursing role.
Quick Facts
- Gain hands-on experience in our simulation lab, CSCIL
- Participate in clinical experiences in an intensive care unit
- Study in the heart of Pittsburgh’s medical district and benefit from Carlow partnerships with area health care providers
- Prepare for NCLEX success under the guidance of faculty mentors
Career opportunities for Bachelor of Science in Nursing
After completing the BSN nursing program, you will be eligible to take the State Board Examination in Nursing (NCLEX-RN) and be prepared to practice as a generalist in a variety of health care settings.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts jobs for registered nurses will grow 7% from 2019 to 2029. Growth will occur because of an increased emphasis on preventive care; increasing rates of chronic conditions, such as diabetes and obesity; and demand for health care services from baby boomers.
Program Outcomes
The overarching outcomes for all BSN Program Tracks reflect: The Sisters of Mercy Core Values (Carlow University Mission Statement, 2009), the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) BSN Essentials (2008), and the QSEN Pre-licensure Competencies (2012).
75 Years of Nursing Excellence
75 Years, Carlow University’s School of Nursing has been dedicated to educating and empowering nurses who make a significant impact on healthcare as clinicians, educators, leaders, and researchers. As we look to the future, Carlow University remains devoted to creating ethical leaders who strive to build a more just and merciful world.
Admission requirements and application process
- Submit an application for admission. It is free to apply.
- Request that official transcripts from all current and previous institutions you’ve attended are sent directly to the Carlow University Office of Admissions.
- First-time, first-year undergraduate student
- GPA only: minimum 3.40 cumulative high school GPA
- GPA & test scores: minimum 3.00 cumulative high school GPA with one of the following:
- SAT score 1060+
- ACT score 21+
- CLT score 68+
- Transfer student: Minimum 3.250 cumulative college GPA
Apply
anytime
Start terms:
Fall, Spring & Summer
Learn from passionate faculty
Nursing graduate Tayler Godfrey ’18 said her professor’s passion and dedication was a huge plus. “I had the pleasure of taking Microbiology with Dr. Cianciarulo as the professor and continued working with her on student research. She took a great deal of time, while teaching many courses, to help me better understand microbiology and proper research techniques and was always available to students for questions or concerns.”
Nursing faculty
Ashley Cole, DNP, RN, CCRN Program Director of Undergraduate Nursing & Assistant Professor
P. Maria Flavin, DNP, MSN, CRNP, FNP-BC, RN Interim Program Director, RN-BSN & Associate Professor
Jessica Huber, PhD, MSN, RN, CCRN, CPN Director of Experiential Learning and Assistant Professor in the College of Health and Wellness
Angela Simmons DNP, MSN-NCEL, RN Founding Director Practical Nurse Program
Tiffany Johnson, DNP, MSNEd, RN Assistant Professor
Teya Kamel RN, MSN, RYT Faculty, Instructor of Nursing & Yoga
Angela G. Kelly DNP, RN Nursing Faculty
Diana Kozlina-Peretic, DNP, CRNP, MSN, RN Associate Dean
Lisa Spagnolo, MSN, RN Nursing Instructor
Angela Summer, DNP, MPA, RN, CVRN-BC Assistant Professor and Director of Accelerated Second Degree Nursing Program
Maggie Myers, MSN, RN, CPN Instructor
Erin Welling Instructor
Contact Admissions
If you are interested in this major, our Admissions team is available to help you with the next steps, including scheduling an on-campus visit or attending an upcoming event.
Accelerate your way to a nursing career with an accelerated second degree BSN
You can use your bachelor’s degree from any field to fast track your way into one of the world’s most in-demand professions by earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with Carlow’s second degree nursing program.
With this degree in hand, you’ll be sought after by health care entities around the country. Carlow prepares nurses with critical thinking and problem solving skills. Not only is Carlow in the heart of Pittsburgh’s medical district with close proximity to clinical sites, its strong, reputable nursing program has a high NCLEX pass rate.
Go for your dream job
The Carlow University Second Degree BSN program gave Matthew McGrogan ’20 the foundation necessary to land his dream job in a cardiovascular ICU.
“This BSN program is perfectly paced because it was created for people who have already earned a degree and are ready to jump right in. I was worried that some classes would feel unnecessary and slow, however, all of the classes we took were fast-paced and gave us the information needed to become well-rounded nurses. The professors took the time to get to know all of us on a one-on-one basis.”
Degree:
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Delivery:
On campus, some online
Campus:
Oakland
Transfer Credits:
Up to 32 credits
Accelerated Second degree BSN curriculum
Carlow’s second degree BSN curriculum is in an accelerated format over 15 months. The program requires 32 credits of nursing support courses and 63 credits of nursing courses, including theory courses, clinical experiences and NCLEX seminars. As a convenience, some courses are offered in 8-week sessions, while others are 16 weeks long.
Clinical nursing experience is an integral part of the program and is completed at various health care agencies in the area.
Upon completion of the program, graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN licensure exam. The curriculum meets the requirements for NCLEX and APRN licensure in all U.S. states and territories.
Quick facts
- Gain hands-on experience in our simulation lab, CSCIL
- Study in the heart of Pittsburgh’s medical district and benefit from Carlow partnerships with area health care providers
- Take advantage of an accelerated 15-month curriculum
- Prepare for the NCLEX in a program, accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, with pass rates among the highest in Southwestern Pennsylvania
Alternate degree completion options
Earn your second degree in nursing while attending Carlow as a part-time student. View or download a sample plan of study [pdf].
Career opportunities for second degree BSN
After completing the second degree BSN nursing program, you will be eligible to take the State Board Examination in Nursing (NCLEX-RN) and be prepared to practice as a generalist in a variety of health care settings. Second degree BSN graduates are prepared to practice as generalists in a variety of health care settings, in entry-level nursing positions and nurse residency programs.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts jobs for registered nurses will grow 7% from 2019 to 2029 due to an increased emphasis on preventive care; increasing rates of chronic conditions, such as diabetes and obesity; and demand for health care services from baby boomers.
Program Outcomes
The overarching outcomes for all BSN Program Tracks reflect: The Sisters of Mercy Core Values (Carlow University Mission Statement, 2009), the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) BSN Essentials (2008), and the QSEN Pre-licensure Competencies (2012).
75 Years of Nursing Excellence
For 75 Years, Carlow University’s School of Nursing has been dedicated to educating and empowering nurses who make a significant impact on healthcare as clinicians, educators, leaders, and researchers. As we look to the future, Carlow University remains devoted to creating ethical leaders who strive to build a more just and merciful world.
Admission requirements and application process
- Submit an application for admission. It is free to apply.
- Must have cumulative GPA 2.85 or better from all college-level courses
- Complete nine prerequisite courses:
- Within the last seven years and from the same institution:
- Anatomy & Physiology I w/Lab (4 credits)
- Anatomy & Physiology II w/Lab (4 credits)
- Within the last 10 years:
- Chemistry w/Lab (4 credits)
- Life Span Development (3 credits)
- Microbiology w/Lab (4 credits)
- Nutrition (taught by a registered dietitian and approved by Carlow) (3 credits)
- Pathophysiology (3 credits)
- Sociology (3 credits)
- Statistics (3 credits)
- Within the last seven years and from the same institution:
- Request that official transcripts from all current and previous institutions you’ve attended are sent directly to Carlow University Admissions.
Apply
anytime
Start terms:
Fall
BSN faculty
Janice Nash, DNP, RN Professor/Chair of the Undergraduate Nursing Department
Ashley Cole, DNP, RN, CCRN Program Director of Undergraduate Nursing & Assistant Professor
P. Maria Flavin, DNP, MSN, CRNP, FNP-BC, RN Interim Program Director, RN-BSN & Associate Professor
Jessica Huber, PhD, MSN, RN, CCRN, CPN Director of Experiential Learning and Assistant Professor in the College of Health and Wellness
Angela Simmons DNP, MSN-NCEL, RN Founding Director Practical Nurse Program
Tiffany Johnson, DNP, MSNEd, RN Assistant Professor
Teya Kamel RN, MSN, RYT Faculty, Instructor of Nursing & Yoga
Angela G. Kelly DNP, RN Nursing Faculty
Diana Kozlina-Peretic, DNP, CRNP, MSN, RN Associate Dean
Lisa Spagnolo, MSN, RN Nursing Instructor
Angela Summer, DNP, MPA, RN, CVRN-BC Assistant Professor and Director of Accelerated Second Degree Nursing Program
Maggie Myers, MSN, RN, CPN Instructor
Erin Welling Instructor
If you have specific questions about the program, contact Angela Summer.
Contact Admissions
If you are interested in this program, our Admissions team is available to assist you with the next steps, including scheduling an on-campus visit or attending an upcoming event.
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Carlow University prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions to the Title IX Coordinator, Jackie smith at jmsmith@carlow.edu or 412-578-6050.