BSN PROGRAM (Pre-licensure)
The NEW Nursing Program at Chestnut Hill College offers students an intellectually rigorous program of study to become skilled and compassionate providers of nursing care through a transformative holistic nursing curriculum rooted in the charism of the Sisters of Saint Joseph and devoted to the College mission and service of the needs of the “Dear Neighbor.”
The 4-year, 120 credit program is designed for traditional undergraduate students. It features a modern, hands-on curriculum delivered in beautiful, state-of-the-art facilities, designed with the flexibility to meet the needs of a wide range of both traditional and non-traditional students. Upon graduation, students will receive a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and will be eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).
Resilience and self-care serve as integral, unique components of the CHC program, providing nurses with tools and strategies to care for themselves so that they may effectively take care of others—a key differentiator from other programs in the market today.
Having experienced a multi-faceted approach to holistic care, Chestnut Hill College nursing graduates will be able to:
- INITIATE and adapt to change
- ENGAGE in critical thinking in health care innovation
- PRACTICE bold leadership in pursuit of individual, family, community, and environmental and professional advocacy
- SEEK knowledge wherever it presents itself in pursuit of a global culture of health
Coming Soon: Accelerated BSN Program will be available in Fall 2025
Why Study Nursing at CHC?
The values-based education provided at Chestnut Hill College, with its authentic integration of mission, academics, creative liberal arts, and commitment to diversity and inclusion, set the College apart from competitors. The Nursing program further distinguishes itself from others in three key areas:
- Immersion-Based Baccalaureate Nursing Education
The CHC nursing curriculum adopts an immersion-based approach to clinical Baccalaureate nursing education. Unlike the traditional model, where students spend most of their time in classrooms, this program condenses classroom instruction into an intensive 3-4-day format within the first 6 weeks of the semester; after which students can then engage in consecutive days of patient care for the rest of the semester. This aligns with the AACN recommendation for immersive nursing education, which emphasizes hands-on experience and diverse patient care scenarios to build nursing proficiency. Chestnut Hill is collaborating with Saint Joseph’s Villa on their immersive program.
- Holistic Healthcare Education in Response to Pandemic Realities
In response to the profound changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, the CHC nursing curriculum stands out by prioritizing the holistic preparation of future healthcare professionals. The program goes beyond traditional nursing education by recognizing the unprecedented challenges faced by today’s healthcare providers, and subsequently leveraging the services of CHC’s Counseling Center, curating appropriate courses in its marquis Master’s and Doctoral Psychology program, and integrating current research on nursing resilience and coping mechanisms to produce nursing students equipped with the skills not only to handle the demands of the profession, but also to identify and manage stressors while practicing self-care.
- Intentional Focus on Current and Emerging Health Needs Specific to Adults As They Age
The US 2020 census revealed that the population under the age of 18 is in decline, while the 65 and older population is growing “rapidly.” This CHC Nursing Program includes coursework that specifically and intentionally addresses social, economic and lifestyle issues of the over 65 population. This instruction will educate students on the specific needs of the senior population, as well as the health promotion and pathology unique to senior citizens.
Career Outlook
The United States is facing a critical shortage of nurses. According to the projections of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), there will be a shortage of more than one million registered nurses by 2030. In the mid-Atlantic region, Pennsylvania offers the second highest number of positions for nurses with 152,000 jobs available. In fact, registered nurses are the most sought- after professionals in Pennsylvania, with demand most heavily concentrated in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.
Pennsylvania and Philadelphia County are both projected to see an increase in nursing-related jobs by 2032, by 4% and 3% respectively, an increase of 7845 jobs in Pennsylvania and 1592 jobs in Philadelphia county, with the Mid-Atlantic region seeing an increase of 9% overall. For Registered Nurses alone, Pennsylvania is projected to see a 13% growth in jobs, 4 percentage points above the national average. Launching a Nursing Program will have an immediate impact on improving healthcare access and outcomes for the underserved populations in our region.
Nursing offers a stable and rewarding career path with good earning potential. Students can benefit from a rewarding profession with sound economic benefits, while also contributing positively to the overall economic growth of the region.
Contact Info
If you are interested in becoming a Nursing major at Chestnut Hill College, please email Susan Apold, Director of Nursing at apolds@chc.edu
The CHC Nursing Program is pending approval by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
