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Alicia Freed, left, a 2023 graduate of Pennsylvania College of Technology’s Master of Science in Nursing: nursing education concentration, works with a student in a Penn College nursing lab. The college is streamlining its Master of Science in Nursing curriculum to reduce the required number of credits. Changes will be implemented in May.
WILLIAMSPORT — Pennsylvania College of Technology is making exciting changes to its Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program. Starting in May, the school will reduce the number of required courses, making it easier and more affordable for working registered nurses to further their education.
Kelly T. Bidlespacher, the director of nursing for bachelor’s and graduate degrees, shares that the main goal is to simplify the curriculum for busy nurses. The updated MSN program will now require 34 credits instead of 37, thanks to a new combined course format. Three eight-week classes—Pharmacology, Pathophysiology, and Health & Physical Assessment—will merge into a single 15-week course. This change should lighten the load for students while keeping the quality of education high.
The MSN program, launched in 2021, aims to tackle the nurse shortage in the country, which includes a lack of qualified nursing instructors. According to Bidlespacher, “The profession is in dire need of nurse educators to shape the next generation of nurses.” Those who earn this degree can play a vital role in transforming healthcare.
Nurse educators are not just limited to academic roles; they can also take on positions in clinical staff development. The curriculum is designed for working nurses, allowing them to complete their degrees on a part-time basis within two years. Classes vary in length from six to 15 weeks, making it adaptable to busy schedules.
Penn College also offers a one-year, 15-credit post-master’s certificate in nursing education for those wanting to specialize further.
For more information about Penn College and its nursing programs, visit www.pct.edu or contact their admissions team.
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Health,Penn College streamlines Master of Science in Nursing courses
