Receive your bachelor's degree in nursing from a nationally-ranked, accredited program. No matter where you are on your journey to becoming a nurse, Widener's undergraduate nursing program will help you transform your personal education goals into a reality.
In our bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) program, you’ll join a tradition of nursing excellence that spans more than 50 years. Here, you'll experience the power of hands-on coursework taught by faculty mentors who will be by your side throughout your academic journey connecting you to valuable clinical experiences and preparing you for your future in health care.
No matter where you study, Widener's BSN program will meet you where you are and help you go further, faster—whether it's your first time taking college-level courses, you've taken a few, or you're a seasoned academic with an RN or bachelor's degree in another subject.
Unsure which path to take next? Contact our undergraduate program director for help. We'll look at your academic history and career goals together to determine which pathway is right for you.
Earn your degree in one of two locations:
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing at Widener University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.
New, incoming students will join the full-time, traditional undergraduate nursing major track.
View the Loading... for curriculum and coursework requirements for the BSN degree.
We understand that, due to the COVID-19 crisis, you may have difficulty completing an SAT or ACT. That's why we're adopting a test-optional admissions process.
Schedule a one-on-one admissions meeting
Attend a virtual admissions info session
You may be eligible to transfer coursework credits into Widener's BSN nursing program. Upon acceptance, you will join the full-time, traditional undergraduate nursing major track as a freshman or sophomore, depending on the number of accepted transfer credits.
View the Loading... for curriculum and coursework requirements for the BSN degree.
Visit the How to Apply as a Transfer Student page for more information about transferring into Widener, how transfer credits are evaluated, and scholarships especially for transfer students.
As an experienced college student, you may be eligible to propel your nursing education and transfer into our accelerated nursing program as a junior. This unique, full-time program allows you to complete your BSN degree in as little as 5 semesters.
View the curriculum and coursework requirements for the BSN degree for advanced transfer students.
Visit the How to Apply as a Transfer Student page for more information about transferring into Widener, how transfer credits are evaluated, and scholarships especially for transfer students.
As a college graduate, you may be eligible to transform credits earned while completing your first bachelor's degree as acceptance into our accelerated, second-degree nursing program. This unique, full-time program allows you to complete your BSN degree in as little as 4 semesters.
View Loading... requirements for the accelerated BSN program at both the Chester and Harrisburg campus.
Register for a Virtual Info Session
Seat availability for the nursing program is limited. Once seat capacity is reached, students may be placed on a waiting list and they will be notified as seats become available and as soon as possible. Admission into the program is not a guarantee for students placed on a waiting list. The waiting list is not deferred to the next available intake, but students can apply again if so desired.
If you have an associate's degree in nursing from a community college or are a registered nurse (RN) from a diploma program, you may be eligible to join our RN-BSN program. This unique, program can be completed part- or full-time and is offered fully online—no clinical hours or on-site residencies required. As part of the program, you'll complete three graduate courses which grants you the option to fast-track into an accelerated master's program.
To learn more, visit the RN-BSN program page.
Students enrolled in the traditional BSN program—including transfer students—can apply for the 4+2 MSN program in their junior year. The program offers two enrollment options: immediately following baccalaureate graduation from Widener, or within 3 years following baccalaureate graduation from Widener.
Continue your graduate education at Widener through the School of Nursing's robust program offerings which includes master's, doctoral (PhD/DNP), and post-graduate certificates.
With a bachelor's degree in nursing from Widener, you'll have a resume distinguished by career-specific learning experiences.
No matter where you study, you'll experience hands-on learning in our state-of-the-art facility. At our Center for Simulation and Computerized Testing facilities, you'll problem solve clinical scenarios and learn to apply what you learn in the classroom to real-world situations.
Get matched within our network of more than 60 of the region’s top hospitals and healthcare facilities for clinical rotations in your junior and senior year. Whether in a large teaching hospital or small agency environment, you'll gain real-world clinical experience in a variety of specialties.
Expand your education beyond the classroom through community-based service learning. Experiences take place in various settings, including Widener's Community Nursing Clinic which offers pro bono medical care to uninsured or underinsured community members, partnerships with local schools and organizations to for local outreach projects, a senior citizens' apartment complex, adult day care centers, schools, and even clients' homes.
Widener's unique full-time traditional nursing program offers an opportunity that's hard to find within many other nursing programs—study abroad. Through a partnership with the Universidad San Pablo CEU, Montepríncipe Campus, you can experience your fall semester of sophomore year in Madrid, Spain.
The program includes:
Our full-time faculty are committed to your professional and personal success. You’ll benefit from close faculty mentorship from professors who aren’t just teaching the courses but are creating the science of nursing education.
"My teaching philosophy has its roots in Bandura's Theory of Self-Efficacy. I believe that students learn (and clients change behaviors) through observing others perform activities, doing the activities themselves, having positive feedback provided, and having their anxieties decreased."
"My goal is for students to challenge themselves to become life-long learners who contribute new knowledge to this wonderful profession. Both novice and experienced nurses should take risks to seek out new learning experiences that ignite their passion for nursing and drive them toward improving outcomes for their clients."
"As a teacher, my role is to help students go beyond the facts. It is equally important to help students grow as people, support their professional and intellectual development, and to expand their world views. Through this growth process, students better understand themselves, their clients, and the clients' experiences."
Despite unpredictable circumstances created by the pandemic, Widener’s clinics and centers remain committed to serving its constituents through virtual connections and support.
As Widener continues to navigate these unprecedented times, the university is building on the success of the spring semester and preparing for a productive fall by upgrading technology to accommodate students’ learning needs and supporting faculty as they find creative ways to engage students.
Despite uncertainties presented by COVID-19, many seniors, who through the connections and experiential learning gained at Widener, secured job opportunities with time to spare ahead of graduation.
Our graduates leave poised for career success in the growing field of nursing.
Hear from our students about their experience in the Nursing BSN program.
I will be so ready for the real world because of the experiences Widener has given me and the professional experiences. I know I will be ready to tackle anything that’s thrown at me.
Founders Hall, Room 308
Founders Hall
Room 308
