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What You'll Be Doing

The Gannon University Villa Maria School of Nursing believes caring nurses make a difference in the lives of patients. Whether you are interested in the technology of an intensive care unit, the overall health of a community, maintaining the health of the elderly, promoting health in children, mothers and babies, or gaining a firm foundation for advanced nursing practice, Gannon’s baccalaureate nursing program can help you achieve your goals. If you want a career that’s intellectually challenging, if you want the opportunity to work with people and technology, if you’re looking for a competitive salary and lots of career options, if you want to make a difference in people’s lives…become a professional nurse.

The employment opportunities for registered nurses (RNs) are excellent, as a continued shortage of RNs is projected through 2025.

The average starting salary for a registered nurse in the United States is between $44,404 and $65,105. Professionals with an advanced degree earn approximately 44 percent more than those with a baccalaureate.

How will you make a difference? 

Admission Requirements

• Completion of 16 academic units at the high school level, four of which must be English; four in social sciences, at least two units of math, one being in algebra, both with C’s or higher. Two to four units of science including biology and chemistry with labs and grades of C’s or higher.
  
• Your academic course selection, grades, rank in class, guidance counselor recommendation and Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or American College Test (ACT) scores will be carefully reviewed for admission consideration.
  
• Satisfactory recommendation from high school counselor or principal.

Students requesting transfer from other universities will be reviewed and placed on a space-available basis. Nursing courses taken at other universities are not transferable.

To be eligible for clinical placements, all students are expected to meet the health requirements and performance standards. Students must submit child abuse and criminal clearances, and hold current health care provider CPR Certification. Furthermore, there are specific policies regarding physical, psychological and moral issues to ensure patient care and professional integrity. (See School of Nursing Handbook for details.)

“The board shall not issue a license or certificate to an applicant who has been convicted of a felonious act prohibited by the act of April 14, 1972 (P.L. 233, No.64), known as ‘The Controlled Substance Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act,’ or convicted substance in a court of law of the United States or any other territory, or country...The term ‘convicted’ shall include a judgment, an admission of guilt or a plea of ‘nolo contendere.’ ” (Section 6 amended Dec. 15, 1986, P.L. 1607, No. 179 of the Professional Nursing Law-Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.)

The Gannon Advantage

• Students at Gannon enjoy internships, co-ops and study abroad opportunities. In addition everyone completes our "Liberal Studies Core" -- 39 credits that will help prepare you for life.
• Gannon's Career Development Services Office reports that 97% of Gannon's recent graduates are employed or are enrolled in graduate studies.
• On our urban campus, students can enjoy all the conveniences of city living while feeling at home in Gannon's caring community.
• An overall 13:1 student to faculty ratio ensures that students receive the genuine commitment and personal attention they are seeking.
• Gannon's Career Service Center helps students search for graduate school or job opportunities, develop interviewing skills and design a professional resume.
• Over 70 clubs and organizations as well as 18 NCAA Division II athletics provide students the chance to be involved.