No matter where you are in the world, you can pursue a nursing degree online through Penn State World Campus. Our programs are taught by expert faculty from Penn State’s Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing — and backed by a world-class reputation and accreditation, a student support team, and a powerful network of students, mentors, and alumni.
High-Quality Nursing Degrees and Certificates
As a registered nurse, you focus every day on taking care of others. Find the time to take care of yourself by preparing for more challenging and rewarding positions through one of Penn State's online nursing programs.
With our online learning format, you won't need to quit your job or change your life to earn a high-quality nursing degree or certificate from Penn State's well-regarded Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing.
Explore our site to learn more and to request information on the online nursing program that best fits your needs.
Graduate Programs
Nursing Practice – Leadership
(Doctor of Nursing Practice)
Prepare for the highest level of clinical nursing practice in this professional, practice-focused online doctoral degree program. The DNP–Leadership degree has two entry pathways based on your previous education and nursing experience: directly from the B.S. in Nursing or post–Master of Science in Nursing.
Nursing Practice – Nurse Practitioner
(Doctor of Nursing Practice)
Prepare to provide direct and specific client care through an expanded nursing role in this online nurse practitioner doctoral degree program, available exclusively to nurses who are licensed to practice professional nursing in Pennsylvania. Choose from four specializations.
Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
(Graduate Certificate)
This certificate is designed for nurses who are licensed to practice nursing in Pennsylvania, have already earned a graduate degree in nursing, and want to expand their scope of practice to care of older adult patients in acute care settings as an adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioner.
Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
(Graduate Certificate )
This certificate is designed for nurses who are licensed to practice nursing in Pennsylvania, have already earned a graduate degree in nursing, and want to expand their scope of practice to care of older adult patients in primary care settings as an adult gerontology primary care nurse practitioner.
Family/Individual Across the Lifespan Nurse Practitioner
(Graduate Certificate)
This certificate is designed for nurses who are licensed to practice nursing in Pennsylvania, have already earned a graduate degree in nursing, and want to expand their scope of practice to patients across the lifespan and prepare for certification as a family nurse practitioner.
Nursing
(Master of Science in Nursing)
Prepare for nursing leadership or educational positions with the CCNE–accredited MSN program. This online master's degree program is designed for registered nurses who already hold a bachelor’s degree in nursing.
Nurse Administrator
(Graduate Certificate)
Expand your knowledge of the business of health care, covering topics including economics, fiscal planning, and data management within a health care context. This online certificate program can provide you with the decision-making and problem-solving strategies necessary to succeed in nursing administration.
Nurse Educator
(Graduate Certificate)
Gain the skills you need to influence the success of the next generation of nurses. This online nurse educator certificate program can prepare you to meet the diverse needs of students in classroom, clinical, and online educational settings.
The flexibility of the course offerings via an online format allowed me to work full time as a Clinical Nurse Specialist. The program also enabled me to apply the education I was receiving directly to my own practice environment.
Undergraduate Programs
Nursing
(RN to BSN)
Advance your knowledge of theory and your clinical skills while making yourself more marketable in the current health care industry. This online degree program is for currently licensed Registered Nurses (RN) with an associate degree or diploma who would like to continue their education with a BSN.
Nursing Management
(Undergraduate Certificate)
Gain a better understanding of the administration of nursing services and learn to manage budgets, data, and nursing staff. The courses in this online certificate program give you the opportunity to acquire the latest techniques and skills, which you can apply in your health care organization.
Nursing Informatics
(Undergraduate Certificate)
Learn to support the implementation and use of informatics tools in technology-rich health care environments. The curriculum in this online certificate program includes courses in electronic health records, clinical decision support tools, and other topics geared specifically for registered nurses who work directly with technology.
Nursing Forensics
(Undergraduate Certificate)
Gain the tools you need to provide specialized services for victims and perpetrators of traumatic events. Learn about evidence collection and preservation; forensic documentation; the recognition of domestic violence, assault, and stalking; and legal and ethical issues.
The program enabled me to work full-time, thus giving me the opportunity to incorporate my studies with real-life situations. With the knowledge that I have attained from Penn State, I am better placed to thrive in my current role and aspire to new and exciting opportunities.
Penn State's Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing is approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing. The bachelor's, master's and DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington, D.C. 20036, 202-887-6791.
