Nursing Programs in Pittsburgh, PA
A nursing career is a great opportunity for those in Pittsburgh wanting to enter or grow within the healthcare field. Luckily, there are many educational options throughout the city to fit just about every need.
To get started in nursing or to advance your nursing career, check out our accredited program listings sections below:
- Entry-Level Registered Nursing Programs
- RN to BSN/MSN Programs
- Nurse Practitioner & Advanced RN Programs
- Top Ranked Nursing Programs
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
| Pittsburgh | Pennsylvania | |
|---|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN Students Total | 1,546 | 7,676 |
| NCLEX-RN Students Passed | 1,426 | 7,061 |
| NCLEX-RN Pass Rate | 92.2% | 92.0% |
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 - #3
- Community College of Allegheny County - #23
- Duquesne University - #21
- Heritage Valley Kennedy School of Nursing - #12
- Washington Health System School of Nursing - #13
| School | Contact 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
| 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
| 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
| School | Contact 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
| School | Contact Information |
|---|---|
California University of Pennsylvania MSN ProgramsGraduate Certificate ProgramsDual MSN/MBA Programs
| 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 MSN Programs
| 600 Forbes Ave Pittsburgh, PA 15282 (412) 396-6000 |
Robert Morris University DNP Programs
| 6001 University Blvd. Moon Township, PA 15108 (800) 762-0097 |
University of Pittsburgh DNP Programs
| 3500 Victoria Street, Victoria Buiding Pittsburgh, PA 15261 (412) 624-4586 |
University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing MSN Programs | 3500 Victoria St Pittsburgh, PA 15213 (888) 747-0794 |
Pittsburgh, PA Related Topics
RNs can pursue a number of job opportunities in Pittsburgh and the surrounding Western Pennsylvania region. Potential employers include area hospitals, outpatient medical facilities and clinics, and home health organizations.
Pittsburgh has a number of hospitals and acute care facilities that hire experienced nurses, including the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) network that is one of Pittsburgh’s largest employers. Other hospitals in the area include St. Clair Hospital, Jefferson Regional Medical Center, and the Allegany Health System network.
Other potential job opportunities for Pittsburgh nurses include outpatient clinics, home health agencies, and jobs with local and state government organizations such as the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Additionally, RNs in the region can become school nurses or travel nurses.
Many factors can influence an RN’s salary level, including experience level, type of employer, and geographic location. In areas where the cost of living is relatively low, the salary levels for nurses will also generally be a bit lower than the national average. According to the latest available data (May 2019) from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average annual salary for registered nurses in Pittsburgh is $67,870 per year. The mean hourly wage for RNs in Pittsburgh is roughly $32.63.
Nurse practitioners generally earn higher salaries than RNs due to the additional education required and additional years of experience. This is true in Pittsburgh as well, where NPs earn $99,130 on average per year according to BLS data. The mean hourly wage for NPs in Pittsburgh works out to around $47.66.
Keep in mind that these figures are the result of nationally reported salary numbers and are averages, meaning some RNs will earn more or less than these salary numbers. Your individual experience level, educational background, and the demand for nursing jobs in your area will also influence how much you can expect to earn as an RN in Pittsburgh.