Nursing Programs

You’ve decided on a nursing career, and now it’s time to choose where you will earn your degree. To make the most of your career, it pays to have a bachelor’s. More and more employers demand it, to ensure you’re well-prepared for this challenging profession. And a BS with nursing major from a liberal arts college is especially valued; a liberal arts education will give you vital communication and critical thinking skills and a well-rounded background.

Now, how do you know which college is right for you? Here are some factors to consider:

Accreditation—Your school should be accredited by either the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Eduation (CCNE) and approved by the state nursing board.

Cedar Crest College is fully accredited by NLNAC, a member of both NLN and AACN, and approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing.

Quality of faculty—Look at the number of full-time (vs part-time) faculty members and how many are doctorate-level. Make sure they represent a full range of nursing specialties including medical-surgical, maternal-newborn, pediatric, geriatric, mental health and community health.

Cedar Crest College has 17 full-time faculty in all nursing specialties plus advanced areas like nursing informatics and nursing administration. All hold a master’s or doctoral degree, and the proportion of doctorates is high.

Pass rate on licensure exams—A high-quality nursing school will prepare you thoroughly for your exam to become licensed as a registered nurse, as evidenced by a high pass rate among its students.

Cedar Crest College graduates consistently score above the State Board of Nursing mandated pass rate on their licensing exams.

Facilities—Nursing study involves hands-on education as well as classroom time, and up-to-date facilities will make a real difference in the quality of your learning. Ask about multimedia labs, simulation centers and a variety of care settings.

Cedar Crest College offers state-of-the-art facilities that are some of the finest in the region.

Location—Make sure your clinical study opportunities include top-quality hospitals and a variety of other settings, both urban and rural.

Cedar Crest College students perform their clinical studies at the region’s top-rated facilities; most just minutes away from campus.

Learn how you can transfer up to 90 credits with our generous transfer policy.

You can also speak to your SAGE adviser to learn about earning your general education requirements here at Cedar Crest College.

A fully accredited curriculum
The nursing programs offered by SAGE at Cedar Crest College are accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, Inc. (NLNAC) and approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing.

Above-average pass rates for NCLEX exam
On the NCLEX examination, our graduates consistently score above the state and national means, and the program maintains a pass rate well above the state-mandated rate of 80%. Please contact the Nursing Department for the most recent data on NCLEX pass rates.

Strong faculty with real-world experience 
Our nursing faculty have published and presented regionally, nationally and internationally. Many of them hold doctoral degrees. They spend many hours outside the classroom advising and assisting their students. Several faculty members have established research programs. Our faculty also participates in study-abroad opportunities with our students.

Full or part-time programs
Besides the traditional full-time program beginning in the fall semester, bachelor’s level nursing students can choose to study part-time year-round with winter or summer entry.

State-of-the-art facilities 
Our Nursing Learning Resource Center is one of the best-equipped in the region, with three state-of-the-art multimedia labs, highly specialized simulation manikins, a community health lab that replicates a home environment and two simulation centers with streaming video.

Premier region for health care 
You’ll do your clinical study at some of the nation’s best hospitals. We’re affiliated with more than 50 clinical sites (urban to rural) including home health, hospice, prison, community and school settings.

A variety of opportunities 
Research, leadership and community service are an integral part of your nursing education at Cedar Crest. We also offer study abroad in Central America, Ghana and Sweden.

At Cedar Crest College, all of the nursing courses are taught by highly experienced and credentialed professionals with experience and connections in a variety of settings. Our faculty members have been published and have presented regionally, nationally and internationally. Many hold doctoral degrees. Several faculty members have established research programs.Our faculty members also serve as advisers and mentors to our nursing students. They spend many hours outside the classroom advising and assisting their students. Our faculty also participates in study abroad opportunities with our students.As a SAGE student, you will be paired with a faculty adviser who will guide and inform your decisions throughout your studies. You will also have the opportunity to develop professional connections that can assist you in growing your career after graduation.

» Read full profiles of faculty members.

As a nursing student at Cedar Crest, you’ll perform your clinical education in some of the finest, best-equipped laboratory facilities in the region. Our Nursing Learning Resource Center includes:

• Three state-of-the-art multimedia labs. In the Health Assessment Lab—a setting similar to a doctor’s office—you’ll learn basic skills such as listening to the heart and lungs and taking blood pressure. In the Center for Maternal/Child Health you’ll learn how to assess and care for infants, toddlers and adolescents. The Center for Adult Health simulates a hospital setting complete with medication and utility room. You can video yourself practicing and mastering more advanced nursing skills.
• Several highly specialized simulation manikins. In each of the multimedia labs, you’ll be able to practice real-life scenarios using sophisticated SimMan equipment of various genders, conditions and ages from infant to adult. One of our manikins can even simulate a pregnant woman giving birth.
• A Community Health Lab set up to replicate a home environment. Here you’ll have the opportunity to simulate a home care visit and experience the unique aspects of community-based and public health nursing practice.
• Two simulation centers with streaming video and separate control room. You’ll work with a realistic and interactive “patient” in the form of a high-fidelity simulator manikin with variable breathing, heartbeat and other signs. As students apply care techniques based on the scenario they’re working with, a faculty member can control the manikin’s reactions in response. This enables students to practice low-frequency, high-risk scenarios without risk to a real patient.
• A computer lab, two student lounges and six flexible classroom and meeting spaces.

» Read full descriptions of courses.

Your nursing degree from Cedar Crest College gives you the foundation to pursue an advanced degree or to specialize in a number of areas. With additional training, you may become a nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist, nurse midwife or pursue other paths. Nurses also enter the fields of quality assurance, communications, product management and marketing/sales.

Employment opportunities for an RN are many and varied. A bachelor’s degree is preferred, if not required, for most of them, and some require a graduate degree.

Staff nursing— For a hospital, physician office, rehab center, hospice or psychiatric facility. Specialties include medical/surgical, labor and delivery, pediatrics, emergency, operating room and critical care.

Community nursing— For a public health department or agency, hospital outpatient department, home health service, day care center and mental health center.

Long-term care nursing— For a rehab center, nursing home, retirement facility and residential day care.

Government nursing— For the armed services, Veterans Administration, Indian Health Service and Peace Corps/VISTA.

Nursing education— For a teaching hospital, wellness center, vocational program, or for a college or university (with an advanced nursing degree).

Nursing research— For a teaching hospital or national organization, or for a college or university (with an advanced degree).

International nursing— For a military base, government agency, private organization, international business, and church-related mission service.

Independent nursing— As a self-employed practitioner with a physician group, HMO, public health agency, and industry.