Spanish Minor
Advantages
Communicate effectively in nursing practice with clients and families whose first language is not English.
Outcome
Bilingual Registered Nurse Working in Predominantly Non-English Speaking Settings
Pursue your nursing BSN degree at a nationally-ranked, accredited school. As a Widener nursing major, you'll experience best-in-class, hands-on instruction by faculty mentors dedicated to your success—continuing our tradition of more than 50 years of nursing education excellence.
Major
On Campus
Our BSN program is a traditional, four-year nursing program completed on-campus. As a nursing major, you'll experience hands-on coursework taught by faculty mentors who will be by your side throughout your academic journey. You'll also participate in valuable clinical experiences that prepare you for a successful career as a BSN nurse.
In addition to our four-year program, Widener also offers an advanced transfer BSN to help you get further faster—accepting as many as 60 or more transfer credits—as well as an accelerated bachelor's in nursing option (ABSN).
Widener's BSN program will meet you where you are and equip you with the skills needed to excel.
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.
Widener University's bachelor's of nursing degree meets state licensure requirements for all U.S. states and territories for students considering licensure (NCLEX) and/or advanced practice certification. To learn more, visit the School of Nursing Licensure by State webpage or the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN).
New, incoming students and transfer students with a few completed college credits will join the full-time, traditional undergraduate nursing major track.
Program Details
View the Loading... for curriculum and coursework requirements for the BSN degree.
As an experienced college student with 60 or more transfer credits, you may be eligible to propel your nursing education and transfer into our traditional BSN program as a junior. This unique, full-time program allows you to complete your BSN degree in as little as 5 semesters.
Program Details
View the curriculum and coursework requirements for the BSN degree for advanced transfer students.
College is about exploration. At Widener, you'll complete a general education curriculum that supports just that. You'll have the flexibility and freedom to dive deep into the topics that spark curiosity, challenge your mind, and power your personal and academic growth.
Along the way, you'll cultivate critical, meaningful skills employers seek, including:
It all starts with ASC 101: Thinking Through — a selection of around 40 course topics that will encourage you to go deeper and examine complex issues that shape our world and our ways of relating to one another. When you dive into the possibilities, you're sure to find multiple courses that inspire and intrigue you, regardless of whether they align with your major! Think of it as an opportunity to step outside of your comfort zone and truly learn something new. Then, in your senior year, you'll come full circle with a capstone course that takes your Thinking Through topic to new heights strengthened by everything you've cultivated along your college journey.
Set yourself apart academically by participating in the School of Nursing honors program.
The School of Nursing Honors Program provides opportunities for in-depth study and professional development, nurtures development as a nurse leader and educator, and prepares students for graduate school. Students will have opportunities to:
Nursing students are a great fit for Widener's ROTC program. Here you'll strengthen critical-thinking, self-discipline, and team-building skills that can help you excel in a plethora of nursing leadership and military careers. Widener University is also a major contributor to the Army Nurse Corps officers and offers special military training opportunities for nursing majors.
ROTC cadets are eligible for generous scholarships—up to 100% full-tuition coverage—as well as the opportunity to join the Army as a commissioned officer after graduation.
The ABSN Second-Degree Program is an accelerated nursing program for college graduates with a bachelor's degree in a different discipline. As a college graduate, you may be eligible to transform credits earned while completing your first bachelor's degree into 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.
Unsure which nursing bachelor's degree is right for you? Contact our undergraduate associate dean. We'll review your academic history and career goals together to determine your right fit.
Continue your education through our School of Nursing's robust graduate program offerings. You can pursue master's and doctoral (PhD/DNP) degrees as well as post-graduate certificates.
Communicate effectively in nursing practice with clients and families whose first language is not English.
Bilingual Registered Nurse Working in Predominantly Non-English Speaking Settings
Deepen your understanding of how gender functions in relation to sexuality, race, ability, class, and more to improve patient outcomes.
Registered Nurse Providing Gender-Affirming Care
Understand the value and complexities of African and African American culture and how it relates to healthcare to improve patient outcomes and address inequalities.
Registered Nurse Advocating for Health Equity in African & African American Communities
Understand how cultural differences affect healthcare experiences for patients and practitioners.
Global Health Nurse
Apply an understanding of human development, behaviors, and interactions to better support patients’ mental health.
Registered Nurse Working in Psychiatric-Mental Health
Employment of nurses is expected to increase by 6% by 2031 according the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Employment Projections.
National average annual nursing salary
96% of students graduated with a job in 2019.
Throughout your nursing education, you'll gain real-world clinical experience in a variety of specialties and settings. You'll problem-solve clinical scenarios in our modern nursing sim lab, practice quick-thinking assessments in our annual disaster simulation event, and have opportunities to give back to the local community through Widener's Community Nursing Clinics.
When it's time for clinical rotations in your junior and senior years, you'll not only feel prepared—you'll get matched within our network of the region's top hospitals and health care facilities.
The ability to study abroad as a nursing major is hard to find at most schools—but not here. As a Widener nursing student, you can study abroad in Madrid, Spain the fall semester of your sophomore year through a partnership with the Universidad San Pablo CEU.
Live and learn with fellow nursing classmates in our nursing Living Learning Community (LLC). This unique experience enables you to form even closer relationships with nursing majors in and out of the classroom. Nursing majors also have the opportunity to join various clubs and organizations to expand their network and engage with Widener nursing alums and faculty.
We want to get to know you and see you succeed. Professors will pay attention to how you learn and what you want to accomplish. Your Personal Student Success Team—faculty and peer mentors and liaisons for campus resources—will make sure your first year runs smoothly.
Without skipping a beat, you’ll have what you need to make Widener your second home. And you’ll know how to invest in the greater community, from professional opportunities in Philadelphia to volunteer experiences in your new backyard.
Lean more about faculty mentorship
Explore resources for academic & career support
Find support for health & wellbeing
"It's a really unique experience that a lot of schools don't have to offer. It’s awesome that it also involves our community that we are based within so it's like real life scenarios where we are able to relate to it cause it's around us."
"Speaking at TEDx has given me confidence to speak on large-scale social issues. I am thrilled I was able to bring awareness to human trafficking, and will devote my nursing practice to creating positive change that empowers survivors."
"When I’m here I feel I am welcomed in the community. That’s what has guided me."
"Today I'm a doctorally-prepared nurse practitioner working in trauma surgery. I wouldn't be here without the outstanding education and unique opportunities I received at Widener. My professors provided an excellent foundation and continue to inspire me. "
"My experience at Widener and its outstanding professors have prepared me for the amazing opportunities in the nursing profession. I have worked at the #1 ranked hospital in the nation, Mayo Clinic, and have seen the country while travel nursing!"
"There are so many opportunities on campus to be yourself; dance, track, and nursing are all parts of who I am. I am so blessed and so thankful for all the opportunities that Widener has given me."
Recognized for top-quality teaching and successful outcomes.
Our School of Nursing is proud to rank #28 out of more than 1,100 private institutions evaluated across the nation.
Source: Nursing Schools Almanac
Our School of Nursing was ranked 7th in Pennsylvania among private colleges.
1 of 13 schools nationwide to be recognized as a National Center of Nursing Excellence.
With an 8:1 student-faculty ratio in clinical settings, you'll practice in a supportive, individualized learning environment.
Only school nationwide to be named a Center of Excellence for advancing the science of nursing education.
You'll gain experience in a variety of clinical settings with site options at more than 60 hospitals and community agencies.
96% of nursing graduates are practicing RNs within 1 year of graduation.
As a Nurse Educator, one of the pedagogical strategies I use is experiential learning, an approach that links course objectives with activities to contextualize learning as students develop clinical judgement. Experiential learning is particularly impactful in combination with community engagement, especially for raising social awareness and emphasizing the importance of social justice in health care.
"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 approach to teaching nursing and inquiry is based on realistic situational realistic pragmatism. The most significant learning occurs when practical and meaningful educational situations relate to nurses’ practice and experience.
"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."
Getting to know students as learners and humans is vital to me. I feel the best way to support and empower learning is to understand the learner. There are many great aspects of teaching nursing and one of my favorites is watching our Widener nursing students bloom into practicing nurses. When I teach, I firmly believe in being authentic and transparent with my students
The new Anna Mosco and Marietta Borinski ’80 Simulation Laboratory boasts simulated and virtual reality technology enabling Widener nursing students to excel in clinical practice.
Undergraduate and graduate nursing students are gaining the leadership skills and experiences needed to advance their careers and transform the health care industry.
A partnership between Widener and the Coalition of Culturally Competent Providers invites new conversations about community care and creates opportunities for health and human services students.
Our admissions and financial aid teams are here to support you every step of the way. Have a question? Ask away!
Applying to Widener is easy—and free! Simply complete our Widener Application or the Common Application. You'll also need your official high school transcript and either an admissions essay or your SAT/ACT scores. We're a test-optional school, so there's no need to submit both.
Know you're interested in applying to Widener but unsure if you're ready to zero-in on a major? You can apply as an Exploratory Studies student with an undecided major. This program will help you start your college journey on the right foot while you explore which undergraduate program is the right fit for you.
We accept applications on a rolling basis—there are no hard deadlines. Apply when you're ready and we'll take a look as soon as we receive your app.
Key dates to keep in mind:
Once we receive your application and all materials, you can expect to hear back from us quickly. Along with your application decision, you'll also find out about any merit-based scholarship awards. You're automatically considered for merit scholarships as soon as you apply—you don't need to apply separately.
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 apply before November 1, you are considered an Early Action applicant which comes with benefits like:
All applications are non-binding, so why wait? Apply today!
Our BSN program fills up fast! If you're admitted and ready to say YES to joining the Widener pride, be sure to make your deposit early. Once our program reaches capacity, we cannot guarantee a spot.
Widener offers two transfer pathways for nursing students—a traditional transfer student with a few completed credits as well as an advanced transfer student with 60 or more completed credits.
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.
Seat availability for the nursing program is limited. Once seat capacity is reached, students may be placed on a waiting list and will be notified as seats become available. 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.
Widener University serves as a "second home" for students from around the world. We are located just outside of Philadelphia and close to New York City and Washington, D.C.—offering many unique professional and personal opportunities to explore.
Want to know what it's like to be an international student on campus or need assistance navigating English proficiency requirements? We're here to help, and our international admissions director will support you through the application process.
This support doesn't end with admissions—our International Student Support team will serve as a valuable resource throughout your Widener journey—meeting Visa/immigration requirements, getting acclimated to campus, and much more.
Learn more about applying as an international student
Learn more about life at Widener as an international student
International applicants, immigrants to the U.S., and U.S. permanent residents are required to submit the results of an English proficiency test taken with 2 years, unless they are from a TOEFL-exempt country.
Because Widener is a private institution, we're able to offer financial assistance that brings an exceptional education within reach. Complete your admissions application today to determine your financial aid package, including scholarships and grants.
Submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first step to getting you the financial assistance to make the cost of college—an investment in your future—affordable. This free, online application is the gateway to grants, loans, and other forms of financial aid. Every year, the U.S. Department of Education offers billions of dollars in financial aid to eligible students. Widener gets in on the action, too, annually awarding aid to students with need.
You and at least one parent or caregiver will need a separate FSA ID to access the Federal Student Aid's online system and serve as your legal signatures. Make sure to create your unique FSA IDs before you get started. Our school code is 003313.
Nearly 100% of new full-time undergraduate students receive significant financial aid offers that reduce out-of-pocket costs and make a Widener education not only affordable, but well worth the investment. In fact, once your total financial aid is calculated, the cost of a Widener education is often equal to if not lower than other competitive universities–but with far superior outcomes for your career and earning potential.
The first step to see how much aid you qualify for is submitting the FAFSA.
Funding you don't have to pay back after graduation? That's a win-win! Scholarships and grants are a way for the university and other organizations to honor the academic, merit, and talent-based achievements of our students.
If you're transferring into Widener's BSN program with 60 or more qualified transfer credits, you may be eligible to receive significant savings. You'll kick-off your coursework at a reduced summer Adult & Continuing Studies tuition rate and be eligible for for a transfer scholarship. This ends up saving an average of $6,000—not to mention quite a bit of time!
In the 4+2 BSN+MSN program, you'll complete three graduate courses as an undergraduate major at no additional cost. This adds up to significant savings—both in time and tuition! Interested students can apply for the 4+2 program in the fall of their junior year to enroll in any of our MSN degree options.
Cadets in the ROTC program are given the opportunity to have a significant portion of their education paid for through scholarships—as high as 100% full-tuition coverage. If eligible, the scholarship program has numerous benefits for cadets including room and board, a monthly stipend, and more.
After graduation, cadets also have a direct pathway to a paid career with the option to advance into the military as a commissioned officer.
To visit Widener is to fall in love with the place. But don't take our word—experience it for yourself. Plan a visit to connect with our students, faculty, and staff.
We offer a variety of events to get to know Widener—from virtual sessions, workshops, and private tours, to the big splash of our signature open houses.
Have a question about Widener? Drop us a line and an admissions counselor will be in touch. We're always happy to help!
Applying online is easy—and it's free! We also accept the Common Application. Take the next step toward joining the Widener Pride.
Select "nursing" as your major, regardless of the BSN pathway you'd like to pursue.
Muller Hall
University Pl
Chester, PA 19013
Founders Hall
Room 308