BSN Degree - Undergraduate Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program
Earn your undergraduate BSN from a leader in nursing education. Whether you're about to graduate high school, a transfer student, or a college graduate looking to earn your BSN degree, we can help you become the nurse you are meant to be.
GMercyU’s BSN degree program has been accredited since its inception. It was re-accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) in 2021 for another 10 years, and has approval from the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing.
One of the most established undergraduate nursing programs in the Philadelphia area, GMercyU’s Frances M. Maguire College of Nursing and Health Professions has built a reputation for innovation and leadership in nursing that spans more than 60 years. We have a long history of preparing excellent nurses who not only have outstanding clinical skills, but are known for providing compassionate care that focuses on the whole patient.
Accreditation
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at Gwynedd Mercy University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (www.ccneaccreditation.org).
-
91.30%
first-time pass rate for NCLEX exam in 2024
-
100+
regional healthcare affiliations for clinical experiences
-
8:1
laboratory and clinical student-to-faculty ratios
-
$87,530
median annual wage for nurses in Pennsylvania in 2023 (Bureau of Labor Statistics)
-
100%
of full-time undergraduate GMercyU students receive some form of financial aid
Program Details
One of the top nursing schools in the Philadelphia suburbs, GMercyU offers personal attention in and out of the classroom from experts in the field. Our BSN program provides a strong foundation in the liberal arts, sciences, Mercy values, and professional nursing practice. A graduate from GMercyU's BSN program is highly skilled and passionate about nursing.
As a nurse generalist, you are educated to give direct and indirect nursing care in various healthcare settings to individuals, families, communities, and diverse populations. Students develop the knowledge, attitudes, and skills to contribute to a healthcare team in multiple nursing roles, such as caregiver, teacher, advocate, and leader.
We offer:
- Degree program fully approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing and accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- State-of-the-art technology, including low and high fidelity simulators and Advanced Video System (AVS) replay for improved confidence and deeper understanding
- 100+ regional healthcare affiliations
- Low 8:1 laboratory and clinical student-to-faculty ratios
- All undergraduate bachelor's in nursing courses taught by experienced credentialed faculty with clinical backgrounds (no teaching assistants)
- NCLEX preparation included throughout the program
- Associate Dean focused on student outcomes
- A professional nursing adviser who supports nursing students throughout their program
- Real-world clinical experiences in a variety of specialties and settings
- The Dedicated Education Unit, a mentoring program that pairs top senior Nursing students with an experienced RN mentor at one of 20 participating hospitals, typically one where the student would like to work post-graduation
- The Griffin Edge, which will help you ace future job interviews and launch a successful career
Licensure: This program was designed to meet national licensure requirements. Carefully review the process of your home state’s licensure requirements. For more information, please visit our Program Licensure Requirement page.
GMercyU develops nurses not just with exceptional clinical skills, but with Mercy values that create compassionate caregivers, advocates, and leaders in the field.
In addition to your general education requirements, you will complete the following courses as part of your undergraduate bachelor's degree in nursing.
| NUR 208 | Introduction to Professional Nursing | 2 credits |
| NUR 209 | Fundamentals of Nursing Practice | 4 credits |
| NUR 212 | Health Assessment in Nursing | 3 credits |
| NUR 219 | Nursing Medication Mathematics | 1 credit |
| NUR 307 | Nursing Care of Adults | 6 credits |
| NUR 313 | Contemporary Issues in Professional Nursing | 2 credits |
| NUR 316 | Nursing Care of Clients with Alterations in Behavioral Health | 4 credits |
| NUR 317 | Nursing Care of Women, Children, and Families | 5 credits |
| NUR 319 | Nursing Care of Adults with Complex Health Care Problems | 5 credits |
| NUR 324 | Pathophysiology and Pharmacological Integrated Concepts | 4 credits |
| NUR 413 | The Older Adult | 3 credits |
| NUR 417 | Genomics in Nursing | 3 credits |
| NUR 419 | Synthesis of Learning for Nursing Practice | 6 credits |
| NUR 422 | Health and Illness in the Community | 5 credits |
| NUR 423 | Global Health & Health Policy | 2 credits |
| NUR 460 | Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice | 3 credits |
| NUR 4001 | Professional Nursing: Capstone | 3 credits |
| NUR Electives | 414: Complementary and Integrative Healthcare 415: Selective Health Problems of Women and Children 459: Patient Education in Healthcare 490: Community Health Nursing in Ireland 491: Interprofessional Global Outreach |
Each 3 credits |
Total Credits = 127 credits
General Education = 63 credits
Nursing = 64 credits
A minimum of 127 credits is required for the bachelor of science in nursing degree.
This program requires a criminal background check, child abuse clearance, certain immunizations, and other health-related clearances in order to participate in clinical experiences. See the undergraduate catalog for further information.
Undergraduate Minors
Increase the value of your BSN degree by adding an undergraduate minor. GMercyU offers a wide variety of minors so you can choose the one that best meets your personal and professional goals.
Wondering what your courses will look like as a BSN major? Here is a closer look at a few, including two electives.
NUR 209 Fundamentals of Nursing Practice
This course provides an introduction to the fundamentals of nursing practice. Students will utilize the nursing process as a framework to apply nursing knowledge, diagnoses, interventions, and outcomes to individuals. Course concepts are grounded in evidence-based practice to promote, maintain, and restore health. Topics related to safety, oxygenation, ventilation, circulation, perfusion, ingestion, digestion, absorption, elimination, urinary, movement, sensory input and the nurse patient relationship and the roles of the professional nurse are explored. Emphasis is placed on applying knowledge and practicing skills in the nursing skills lab, simulation lab, and clinical setting.
NUR 307 Nursing Care of Adults
This course focuses on the physical, psychological, social, spiritual and cultural forces that influence the health of the adult population. Students will utilize the nursing process as a framework to apply nursing knowledge. Course concepts are grounded in evidence-based practice to promote, maintain and restore health. Topics related to safety, oxygenation, ventilation, circulation, perfusion, ingestion, digestion, absorption, elimination, regulatory, urinary, sensory input, movement and the nurse patient relationship. Emphasis is placed on application in the adult health clinical setting and simulation laboratory.
NUR 317 Nursing Care Women, Children and Family
This course examines the childbearing and childrearing families in contemporary society. The nursing process is applied to provide holistic nursing person-centered care within the context of the family. Topics are related to safety and normal and altered physiologic processes as it affects the childbearing and childrearing families. Experiences in the classroom and clinical setting enable the student to integrate cultural sensitivity, clinical reasoning, communication skills, and therapeutic nursing interventions for women, children and families.
NUR 419 Synthesis of Learning for Nursing Practice
This course focuses on preparing the graduating nursing student for transition to professional nursing practice. Preparation is achieved through synthesis of acquired knowledge with emphasis on reflective practice and application of learning. An understanding of professional nursing standards, ethical problem solving, evidence-based practice and a commitment to lifelong learning will be provided. This course provides an integrative, theoretical and clinical experience.
NUR 423 Global Health & Health Policy
This course examines globalization and its impact on the health of all populations. Emerging diseases, environmental safety and health risks are addressed. Health care policy and the socioeconomic, geopolitical, ethical and cultural variables that influence health are explored. Critical analysis of selected global and national problems is examined within the framework of professional nursing practice. The importance of cultural sensitivity and ethical judgment are emphasized.
Sample Electives
NUR 414 Complementary & Integrative Health
This course will provide a comprehensive and clinical relevant coverage of complementary and integrative medicine. It will cover the history, philosophy, and mechanisms of integrated therapies and includes a thorough review of the clinically controlled trials, indications, and contraindications of each therapy.
NUR 490 Community Health Nursing in Ireland
This course explores the healthcare of individuals, families and aggregates in a variety of community settings in Ireland. The concepts of community health nursing and the roles of the professional nurse in the community of Ireland are critically analyzed and compared to the US Public health System. The impact of the health care delivery system of Ireland is presented. Health promotion, health protection and disease prevention are examined. Critical thinking is emphasized in assessing the community of Ireland. A variety of community settings as observational experiences are utilized including home care, hospice, extended care facilities and population focused settings.
For all GMercyU BSN program course descriptions, please refer to the undergraduate catalog.
Jane Hsiao-Chen Tang, PhD, RN, NE-BC
Position: Dean, Frances M. Maguire College of Nursing and Health Professions
Did You Know? Dean Tang's research and scholarship focus has been primarily in the areas of Evidence-Based Practice and Nursing Services Administration, including the nursing workforce, job satisfaction, nurse retention, and turnover.
Read bio
Mary Hermann, EdD, MSN, RN
Position: Professor, Nursing
Did You Know? Dr. Hermann’s clinical background spans intensive care and medical surgical nursing.
Read bio
Kristin Meloche Sagedy PhD, RN, CEN
Position: Associate Dean of the Frances M. Maguire College of Nursing and Health Professions
Did You Know? Dr. Sagedy is currently the President of Region 5 of the New Jersey State Nurses Association, sitting on the Board of the NJSNA.
Read bio
Laraine Amoia-Watters, EdD, MSN, CRNP
Position: Associate Professor, BSN Program Coordinator
Did You Know? Dr. Amoia-Watters is a member of Sigma Theta Tau, the National Honor Society for Nurses. She coordinates GMercyU's annual spring break trip to Jamaica, a unique service learning opportunity for BSN and Social Work students.
Read bio
Patricia Brown O'Hara, RN, PhD
Position: Professor
Did You Know? Dr. O'Hara runs the BSN program's Ireland study abroad program and was recently appointed to the Wolters Kluwer’s NCLEX Advisory Board.
Read bio
Pamela Lynn, EdD, MSN, RN
Position: Assistant Professor
Did You Know? Dr. Lynn was once a staff nurse in the medical step down unit, medical intensive unit, medical-surgical, and oncology. She is also the author of two nursing textbooks.
Read bio
Study Abroad Opportunity in Ireland
GMercyU offers undergraduate nursing students the unique opportunity to study abroad while earning 6 credits. Our three-week program takes place in early summer at the University of Limerick in Ireland. Financial assistance is available.
Service Trip Opportunity in Jamaica
Spend spring break in Jamaica helping to develop teaching sessions for the caregivers of a local nonprofit. Many students return year after year and serve as mentors to new students, describing the experience as “life changing."
Real-World Opportunities
Through GMercyU’s 100+ regional health care affiliations, you’ll benefit from diverse, real-world clinical preparation featuring actual patient care and interaction with health care professionals in a variety of specialties and settings.
Here’s where our undergraduate nursing students have recently completed clinicals – and landed jobs after graduation:
- Abington-Jefferson Health
- Doylestown Hospital
- Grand View Hospital
- Chestnut Hill Hospital
- Paoli Hospital
- Bryn Mawr Hospital
- Nazareth Hospital
- Holy Redeemer Hospital
- Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital
- Mercy Suburban Hospital
- Einstein Montgomery
- Foulkeways at Gwynedd
- Montgomery County Emergency Services
- Aria – Jefferson Health
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
- Mercy Medical Center
- St. Christopher's Hospital for Children
- Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic
Where Nurses Work
- Hospitals
- Home care
- Hospice
- Long-term care facilities
- Health clinics
- Schools
- Pharmaceutical companies
- …and more!
Top Jobs for Nursing Majors
Registered Nurse
In 2024, U.S. News ranked this career in their 100 Best Jobs list and as a Best Healthcare Job.
Description: Registered nurses work with other health care professionals to provide and coordinate patient care. They offer emotional support to patients and their family members, and they educate patients and the public about health care.
Degree Requirements: Hospitals prefer a bachelor’s degree in nursing over an associates degree
Average Salary: The annual median salary in Pennsylvania was $87,530 in 2023 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Source
Nurse Manager/Supervisor
Description: These nurses have administrative duties – hiring and managing staff, maintaining schedules and budgets, ensuring that hospital protocols are followed, and more.
Degree Requirements: A bachelor’s degree; a master’s degree preferred
Average Salary: The national median salary in 2023 was $110,680 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Source
Nurse Practitioner
In 2024, U.S. News ranked this career as the #1 job in America.
Description: With advanced clinical skills, nurse practitioners provide primary care. They assess and diagnose patients, treat illnesses, and can prescribe medications. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that of all nursing career paths, nurse practitioners have the fastest rate of employment growth and is projected to be one of the top 10 fastest growing occupations in the U.S. economy.
Degree Requirements: Master’s degree
Average Salary: The national median salary in 2023 was $129,480 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Source
More Nursing Jobs to Consider
- Cardiac Nurse
- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
- Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
- Critical Care Nurse
- Emergency Room Nurse
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
- Geriatric Nursing
- Perioperative Nurse (Surgical/OR Nurse)
- Mental Health Nurse
- Neonatal Nurse
- Nurse Educator
- Nurse Manager
- Nurse Midwife
- Nursing Administrator
- Oncology Nurse
- Orthopedic Nurse
- Pediatric Nurse
- Public Health Nurse
- Travel Nurse
*Some of these specialties require additional education.
Nursing Faculty Member Appointed to Wolters Kluwer’s NCLEX Advisory Board
Nursing Students in Ireland Student Blog 2024
Nursing and Social Work Students in Jamaica Student Blog 2024
BSN Students Participate in Poverty Simulation
Nursing Students Attend Health Fair at Meadowood Senior Living
Aubrey Cook '18
Critical care nurse and recipient of The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses
I have the best job in the world.
Brooke Balkiewicz '24
Registered Nurse, Surgical Step Down Unit at Einstein Montgomery
I had the opportunity to meet with government officials and was a part of important University decision-making. [My campus experiences] provided philanthropic fulfillment and helped me make lifelong friends and mentors.
Dan Martin '22
Registered Nurse, Main Line Health
Smaller schools and programs like GMercyU really make you feel as if you have mentors and people looking out for your well-being instead of being just a number.
Madison Weand '22
Mother-Baby/Postpartum Unit Nurse at Reading Hospital
I love educating new parents on how to care for their babies and themselves through this new stage of their life. Having the privilege to be the emotional and physical support for these women through such a vulnerable part of their life is extremely rewarding.
Kohler Setley '21
Med-Surg/Telemetry Unit Nurse at Reading Hospital
All of the groundwork that GMercyU laid out for me helped me build my budding nursing career into something with a lot of promise. I accepted my job in mid-December of my senior year.
Meet a Nursing Major
Meet more GMercyU students — watch our episode of The College Tour!
Nursing Student Receives McLean Scholarship
Congratulations to BSN student Erica Brace '25, just one of just eight students across Pennsylvania selected to receive the McLean Scholarship for Nursing and Physician Assistant Majors for the 2024-25 academic year!
Scholarships
GMercyU is grateful to offer multiple scholarships just for Nursing students, including the Maguire Scholars Program, thanks to generous donations from our community.
Transfer
GMercyU offers multiple options for transferring to our BSN program for second-semester freshman, sophomores, and juniors. No TEAS scores are required to apply.
