Nursing
The School of Nursing has received $250,000 from the Connelly Foundation for its growing clinical simulation labs to further strengthen its reputation for hands-on learning. Story.
As part of her honors seminar, nursing student Lauren Short got an opportunity to meet with U.S. Rep. Robert Andrews (D-N.J.) to advocate for a health policy bill. Story.
Assistant Professor Dr. Esther Brown received the 2011 Distinguished New Faculty Award at the 22nd International Conference on College Teaching and Learning for her work with students in a service learning course. Story.
Faculty and students at Widener's School of Nursing discuss their experiences at the university's Center for Simulation and Computerized Testing. Video.
Why choose Widener’s School of Nursing? Our School offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral education to prepare the nurse leaders of tomorrow. Widener is here to prepare you to fulfill your career goals.
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree for preparation of new RNs
- RN-to-BSN or RN-to MSN for currently licensed RNs
- Master of Science in Nursing degree with specialization as a Family Nurse Practitioner or Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Doctor of Nursing Practice degree for the highest level of advanced practice nursing
- Doctor of Philosophy degree for preparation of nurse educators and scholars
Faculty
Our faculty are experts in their specialty areas of nursing with tremendous experience as clinicians, educators, and scholars ~ AND ~ they use student-centered approaches to teaching/learning, always striving to create learning experiences to make information come alive for the students both inside and outside of the classroom.
Flexibility
With the exception of our traditional BSN program, we allow part-time study with all our degree offerings . In addition, the RN-to-BSN and the DNP programs are offered in a hybrid format, blending on-campus meetings on the Harrisburg or Chester campus with distance learning methods, using the Internet to offer greater flexibility for our busy, working students. The Family Nurse Practitioner program is offered on both the Harrisburg and Chester campuses.
Leadership
Undergraduate students are all invited members of the Widener University Student Nurses Association (WUSNA). WUSNA has earned chapter excellence awards from the Student Nurses Association of Pennsylvania (SNAP) for the past several years. Widener students have served as president and board members of SNAP, as well as on the board of the National Student Nurses Association (NSNA).
Honors
Qualified undergraduate students are eligible for the Honors Program in General Education, and nursing students who have demonstrated academic excellence are eligible for the Nursing Honors Program upon entering their junior year. Bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral students who meet criteria for membership are invited to join the Widener-affiliated Eta Beta Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International, the Honor Society for Nursing.
Experiential Learning
Whether in the community, the hospital, clinic, outpatient setting, or our Simulation Center, you’ll have fabulous experiences that prepare you for excellence in nursing practice. Our graduates, both graduate and undergraduate, are recognized across the region and beyond for their expertise. Undergraduate students begin nursing courses in the freshman year, taking NURS 125 Introduction to Nursing, a service learning course. Students love the blending of classroom and community settings so they can experience the application of theory in real-world situations.
Facilitated Entry to Study
In addition to undergraduates being admitted directly to the nursing major as freshmen and beginning nursing courses in their first year, graduate students can begin their degrees even prior to admission, as the school permits up to six credits to be taken prior to admission as a non-matriculated student.