Entry Level ADN & BSN Programs in Pittsburgh, PA

Pittsburgh is home to plenty of diploma and entry-level nursing programs for those just starting out in the industry. Options include the Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN) and the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

LPN to RN Programs

Licensed practical nurses who want to expand their career opportunities and take on additional patient care responsibilities may want to pursue a career as a registered nurse. For LPNs, there are special LPN to RN bridge programs that build upon their prior coursework and professional experience to prepare them for a new career as an RN. The Community College of Allegheny County offers an LPN to RN program for students with a valid practical nursing license that consists of 30 credits of nursing courses completed over four semesters of study.

ADN Programs

This basic entry-level program is most typically found at community and technical colleges in Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas. These programs typically take 2 years to complete. The Community College of Allegheny County, for example, offers a traditional associate's degree in nursing as well as an accelerated version for those with LPN training.

Direct-Entry BSN Programs

Traditional, four-year bachelor's degree programs are increasingly becoming the norm for RNs. Offered at colleges and universities, direct-entry BSN programs are designed for those who do not already hold an RN license or lower nursing degree/diploma. Carlow University offers a pre-licensure BSN as well as a second-degree BSN for those who already hold a bachelor's degree in another discipline.

Find out more about Pennsylvania Accelerated BSN Programs

Pittsburgh RN Program NCLEX-RN Pass Rates

 PittsburghPennsylvania
NCLEX-RN Students Total1,7068,441
NCLEX-RN Students Passed1,4777,450
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate86.6%88.3%

Top Ranked Accredited Nursing Programs in Pittsburgh

Listed below are the top nursing schools in Pittsburgh based on our RegisteredNursing.org RN program rankings for Pennsylvania out of 77 other accredited programs offered in the state:

  • Carlow University - #4
  • Heritage Valley Kennedy School of Nursing - #3
  • Washington Health System School of Nursing - #15
SchoolContact Information

Carlow University

3333 Fifth Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
(800) 333-2275

Citizens School of Nursing

651 4th Ave
New Kensington, PA 15068
(724) 337-5090

Community College of Allegheny County

808 Ridge Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
(412) 237-2525

Community College of Beaver County

1 Campus Dr
Monaca, PA 15061
(724) 480-2222

Duquesne University

600 Forbes Avenue , 540 Fisher Hall
Pittsburgh, PA 15282
(412) 396-6553

Heritage Valley Kennedy School of Nursing

  • Diploma Campus
  • Top Ranked Pennsylvania Program: #3 of 77
25 Heckel Rd
Kennedy Township, PA 15136
(412) 777-6161

La Roche University

9000 Babcock Blvd
Pittsburgh, PA 15237
(412) 367-9300

Robert Morris University

6001 University Blvd
Moon Township, PA 15108
(800) 762-0097

University of Pittsburgh

3500 Victoria Street, Room 350
Pittsburgh, PA 15261
(412) 624-7838

UPMC Mercy Hospital School of Nursing

1401 Boulevard of the Allies
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
(412) 232-7950

UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing

5900 Baum​ Blvd.
Pittsburgh, PA 15206
(412) 623-2950

UPMC St. Margaret School of Nursing

221 Seventh Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15238
(412) 784-4980

Washington Health System School of Nursing

  • Diploma Campus
  • Top Ranked Pennsylvania Program: #15 of 77
155 Wilson Avenue
Washington, PA 15301
(724) 225-7000

West Penn Hospital School of Nursing

4800 Friendship Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15224
(412) 578-5205

Westmoreland County Community College

145 Pavilion Ln
Youngwood, PA 15697
(724) 925-4000

RN to BSN/MSN Programs in Pittsburgh, PA

Bridge programs, also known as RN to BSN or RN to MSN programs, are popular pathways for those who already hold an RN license. These programs are typically shorter than traditional BSN or MSN programs since they take into account some courses and experiences that RNs may already have completed in their prior program.

RN to BSN Programs

The RN to BSN program allows nurses to earn a 4-year degree in a fraction of the time. The RN to BSN program through Chatham University allows students to transfer up to 90 credits of college-level courses to count towards their 120 credit requirement. Courses are taken in an online "distance learning" format, an increasingly popular option.

Learn more about Pennsylvania RN to BSN Programs

RN to MSN Programs

For those in the Pittsburgh area who know they want to enter an advanced specialty or nursing career, the RN to MSN pathway is ideal. Like the RN to BSN option, this degree type is for licensed RNs who have previously completed an ADN or diploma program. Robert Morris University offers a 37-credit RN to MSN program in which the student earns both a BSN and an MSN degree. Some RN to MSN programs do not culminate in both degrees, however.

Learn more about Pennsylvania RN to MSN Programs

SchoolContact Information

California University of Pennsylvania

250 University Avenue
California, PA 15419
(724) 938-4129

Carlow University

3333 Fifth Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
(412) 578-6108

Chatham University

1 Woodland Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15232
(412) 365-1738

La Roche University

9000 Babcock Boulevard
Pittsburgh, PA 15237
(412) 367-9300

Robert Morris University

6001 University Boulevard
Moon, PA 15108
(412) 397-6801

University of Pittsburgh

3500 Victoria Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15261
(412) 624-7838

APRN & Nurse Practitioner Programs in Pittsburgh, PA

Those wishing to climb the ranks to the highest nursing positions and nurse practitioner specialties may wish to enroll in an advanced nursing program. RNs can earn a Master's of Science in Nursing (MSN), a post-master's certificate, or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree to achieve their goals.

MSN Programs

A traditional MSN degree can be earned in roughly 2 years of study. Students typically have their choice of several tracks or specializations, and flexible full-time or part-time schedules are often available. California University of Pennsylvania offers an MSN degree with two specialty options: Nursing Administration and Leadership or Nursing Education.

Learn more about Pennsylvania Nurse Practitioner Programs

Post-Master's Certificate Programs

Also referred to as post-grad certificates, these programs are designed to help MSN-educated nurses change specialties without having to go through another full degree program. Duquesne University, for example, offers an online post-master's certificate in forensic nursing that consists of just five courses.

Find out more about Pennsylvania Post-Master's Certificate Programs.

DNP Programs

Doctoral nursing programs are at the top of the nursing chain. Students who complete a DNP are poised to enter the highest clinical nursing careers. The University of Pittsburgh, for example, offers multiple DNP pathways and specialties, including both BSN to DNP and MSN to DNP options. Specialization tracks include neonatal, pediatric primary care, adult-gerontology, nurse anesthesia, and more.

Learn more about Pennsylvania DNP Programs

SchoolContact Information

California University of Pennsylvania

250 University Avenue
California, PA 15419
(724) 938-4000

Carlow University

Dual MSN/MBA Programs
3333 Fifth Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
(800) 333-2275

Duquesne University

600 Forbes Ave
Pittsburgh, PA 15282
(412) 396-6000

Robert Morris University

6001 University Blvd.
Moon Township, PA 15108
(800) 762-0097

University of Pittsburgh

3500 Victoria Street, Victoria Buiding
Pittsburgh, PA 15261
(412) 624-4586

University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing

3500 Victoria St
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
(888) 747-0794