20 Best BSN Programs in Philadelphia, PA (2023 Updated)

ByChris Padilla Last Update on

Philadelphia is home to numerous prestigious nursing schools offering Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs that prepare students for rewarding careers in the healthcare field. As an education reform expert, I have conducted in-depth research on the top BSN programs in Philadelphia based on factors like curriculum quality, faculty expertise, clinical training opportunities, career support services, and student outcomes.

Here are the 20 best BSN programs in Philadelphia for 2024:

1. University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing

The University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, established in 1886, is consistently ranked among the top nursing schools nationally. UPenn Nursing offers an accelerated BSN program for students with a bachelor‘s degree in another field seeking a career change to nursing. Students benefit from a rigorous curriculum, cutting-edge simulation labs, renowned faculty, and clinical placements at top hospitals. Graduates are highly sought-after by employers.

2. Drexel University College of Nursing and Health Professions

Drexel‘s BSN program leverages the university‘s expertise in experiential education by integrating cooperative education experiences. Students alternate classroom terms with paid clinical placements, gaining valuable real-world experience. Drexel Nursing also emphasizes interprofessional education and technology-enhanced learning. Graduates have exceptional NCLEX-RN pass rates.

3. La Salle University School of Nursing

La Salle University‘s BSN program aims to develop caregivers focused on patient-centered, holistic care. Students gain clinical experience across diverse healthcare settings and benefit from the school‘s small class sizes and supportive faculty. La Salle Nursing fosters ethical decision-making and a commitment to service rooted in Lasallian Catholic values.

4. Thomas Jefferson University Jefferson College of Nursing

Jefferson offers traditional BSN and accelerated BSN programs emphasizing interdisciplinary, high-impact learning. Students engage with cutting-edge simulation technology, complete clinicals at Jefferson Health System hospitals, and gain experience across urban and rural settings. Graduates are prepared as innovative nurse leaders and patient advocates.

5. Holy Family University Nursing Program

Holy Family University‘s values-based BSN curriculum aims to develop nurses focused on ethical, compassionate caregiving grounded in the liberal arts and Catholic tradition. Small class sizes, state-of-the-art simulation labs, clinical partnerships with major health systems, and dedicated faculty support student success.

6. Gwynedd Mercy University Nursing Program

Located in the suburbs of Philadelphia, Gwynedd Mercy University offers an excellent traditional BSN program emphasizing clinical reasoning and hands-on learning. Nursing students gain experience across various healthcare settings, from hospitals to community clinics. Graduates display strong analytical abilities and patient care skills.

7. Temple University College of Public Health School of Nursing

Temple Nursing is nationally recognized for excellence in research and primary care training. BSN students benefit from the school‘s urban location and relationships with six major health systems for clinical placements. Temple aims to develop nurse leaders devoted to delivering culturally competent, patient-centered care.

8. Peirce College

Peirce offers an online RN to BSN program providing licensed RNs a flexible pathway to advance their nursing education while working. With discounted tuition rates for employees of institutional partners, Peirce serves as an accessible option for nurses seeking to enhance their patient care abilities and expand their career opportunities.

9. Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences Nursing Program

PCHS is one of Pennsylvania‘s premier college‘s for nursing education, including BSN, MSN and DNP programs. Renowned for its high-fidelity simulation labs, students gain extensive hands-on experience with the latest healthcare technologies. PCHS also operates its own Continuing Care Facility for student clinical rotations.

10. Cairn University School of Nursing

Located in Langhorne just outside Philadelphia, Cairn offers a faith-based BSN program focused on compassion and community service. Students gain clinical experience across settings like hospitals, clinics, schools, and homeless shelters. Cairn aims to develop nurses devoted to relieving suffering and caring for society‘s underserved.

11. Eastern University Nursing Program

Eastern‘s traditional BSN program integrates faith-based values related to health, healing, and ethics into the curriculum. The program emphasizes cross-cultural learning experiences in urban environments and developing skills for working with diverse, underserved populations. Students complete clinicals at facilities across the Philadelphia region.

12. Villanova University M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing

Villanova Nursing is recognized for innovative simulation technologies preparing students to be practice-ready. Undergraduate nursing students complete clinical rotations across the Main Line Health System. Villanova aims to develop values-based nurse leaders devoted to evidence-based practice and patient advocacy.

13. Rosemont College Nursing Program

Rosemont offers a traditional BSN program mixing classroom learning with clinical work across settings like urban hospitals, suburbs, and rural areas. Rosemont nurses gain experience assessing patients, developing care plans, and working on interdisciplinary teams. The curriculum blends liberal arts and professional studies.

14. Wilkes University Passan School of Nursing

Wilkes offers traditional and accelerated BSN programs both at its main campus and two satellite centers. Renowned for its patient safety and simulation labs, students gain substantial hands-on learning. Wilkes Nursing places great emphasis on developing students‘ clinical judgement and critical thinking abilities through evidence-based coursework.

15. Arcadia University School of Nursing

Arcadia integrates global learning opportunities into the BSN curriculum through faculty-led short-term study abroad clinical programs. With a focus on experiential learning, students also complete clinical rotations across major Philadelphia health systems and benefit from the school‘s low student-faculty ratio and personalized mentoring.

16. University of the Sciences Nursing Program

The first college of pharmacy in North America established a school of nursing in 1942. Students gain clinical experience across the Philadelphia region guided by nurse educators and preceptors. With a focus on innovation, University of the Sciences nurses are prepared to improve healthcare delivery and patient outcomes.

17. West Chester University School of Nursing

West Chester‘s accredited BSN program emphasizes leadership, research, and evidence-based practice. Students work with cutting-edge human patient simulation manikins and complete clinical rotations across diverse settings. The curriculum prepares graduates to provide holistic, patient-centered care and influence healthcare policy and delivery models.

18. Neumann University Nursing Program

Neumann integrates ethics and respect for human dignity into its BSN curriculum. With an emphasis on reflective practice and leadership development, graduates gain skills for delivering compassionate care, guiding healthcare teams, and influencing systems-level change. Students benefit from Neumann‘s small class sizes and faith-based community.

19. Chamberlain University College of Nursing

Chamberlain operates 22 campuses across the country, including Philadelphia. Widely recognized for excellence in nursing education, Chamberlain offers flexible BSN programs blending online coursework with in-person clinical rotations. Students develop specialized knowledge and clinical skills targeted to current practice environment needs.

20. Alvernia University Nursing Program

This Catholic university near Reading, PA offers an excellent BSN program emphasizing social justice, ethics, and service learning. Students gain clinical experience across diverse settings in Berks County and complete an international healthcare service trip. Alvernia nurses are prepared to provide compassionate, culturally competent care.

A dedicated father and former high school English teacher, Chris's journey into education advocacy is both personal and profound. His passion for equitable education sparked not in the classroom, but at home, as he navigated the challenges and triumphs of raising his children within the public education system.

After receiving his Master's in Education, Chris embarked on a teaching career, enriching young minds with literature and critical thinking skills. However, it was his transition to full-time parenthood that brought a new dimension to his understanding of education. He witnessed firsthand the effects of underfunding and standardized test pressures on schools and students alike.

Motivated by these experiences, Chris took his advocacy to the digital world. His blog, born from a blend of professional insight and parental concern, delves into the nuances of educational policy, resource allocation, and the need for a balanced approach to student assessment. Chris's unique perspective as both educator and parent offers a compelling call to action for quality, accessible public education.

Chris, residing with his family in [City, State], continues to be a beacon for educational reform, inspiring others through his writings and community involvement.

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