Associate degree in nursing
GEISINGER
Why consider a Geisinger School of Nursing education?
Beyond our historic Lewistown location, nestled among the rivers, farms and forests of central Pennsylvania, consider this:
Nurses are in high demand. At Geisinger School of Nursing, you can start a secure and rewarding career as a nurse in as little as two years. In fact, you can complete our advanced placement LPN-to-RN program in just three semesters.
Average RN starting salary: $73,220
Whether you’re beginning, growing or changing your career, a degree from Geisinger will put you on a flexible career path that can take you anywhere, from direct care to research and education — or even a leadership role.
Small class sizes mean highly personal experiences
Geisinger offers an affordable nursing degree program with educational excellence and handson clinical experience that will prepare you to deliver patient-centered care.
School overview
Our philosophy
Nursing is a dynamic process of caring based on a theory-guided, evidence-based body of knowledge and established standards of professional practice. The focus of nursing practice is based on the patient-family’s level of functioning, preferences, values and needs. Nurses also focus on different dimensions of patient care which promote, maintain and restore wellness, including:
• Physiological
• Psychological
• Socio-cultural
• Developmental
• Spiritual Program goals
Graduates from the Geisinger School of Nursing Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program:
• Model caring and safe nursing care in diverse settings.
• Collaborate with patients, families and members of the healthcare team to help the patient/family achieve optimal outcomes.
• Implement clinical judgment when providing patient-centered care.
• Integrate data and technology for information-gathering, communication and clinical care.
• Practice within the ethical, legal and regulatory framework of nursing and standards of nursing practice.
• Examine evidence-based research to guide nursing practice.
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About the program
At Geisinger School of Nursing, you’ll benefit from:
Hands-on training
Small class sizes
• In-depth clinical exposure
Experienced and dedicated faculty
ADN Program information
Geisinger School of Nursing offers one program of study in professional nursing. After completing the program, you’ll receive an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN). You’ll then be eligible to apply for the National Licensure Exam (NCLEX-RN) to become a registered nurse.
To graduate from our ADN program, you’ll complete 70 credits. The nursing courses, totaling 46 credits, will be offered by Geisinger School of Nursing. LPN-to-RN students will complete 54 credits in total. Of those, 30 nursing credits will be offered by Geisinger School of Nursing.
The remaining 24 credits are general education courses. We’ve partnered with HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, to offer these courses to our students, but you can take them at an accredited college of your choice.
If you haven’t completed your general education courses before starting the RN program at Geisinger School of Nursing, you’ll need to complete them in the evening during or before the semester listed. All general education courses must be completed before your final semester.
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Plan
of study Geisinger School of Nursing offers a five-semester plan of study. Year one: Nursing courses Credit/unit General education courses Credit/unit (Fall – 16 weeks) N101: Nursing Fundamentals 8 Anatomy and Physiology 4 General Psychology 3 (Spring – 16 weeks) N111: Health Promotion for the Adult 4 Anatomy and Physiology II 4 N121: Nursing Care of the Childbearing Family 6 Life Cycle Development 3 (Summer – 12 weeks)* N211: Medical-Surgical Nursing 6 Microbiology 4 N201: PN-RN Progression Course (LPN’s only) 2 Year two: Nursing courses Credit/unit General education courses Credit/unit (Fall – 16 weeks) N221: Medical-Surgical Nursing II 6 English 3 N222: Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing 4 Sociology 3 (Spring – 16 weeks) N231: Nursing Care of the Complex Patient 5 N232: Transition into Practice 5 N233: NCLEX prep course 2 *LPN-to-RN plan of study begins in the summer session. 3
Admissions requirements
You’ll be evaluated holistically for admission using the following:
• GPA
• Entrance exam
• Previous medical experience/licensure
• Previous degrees/course work
To be considered for admission into the nursing program, you’ll need to meet the following criteria:
1. High school education – You must have completed work equivalent to a high school education. An official high school transcript or GED is required.
2. Grade point average (GPA) – A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 is preferred, with a “C” grade or better required in algebra, general biology and general chemistry. C-minus won’t be accepted.
3. Testing – You may take an entrance exam. The following tests are acceptable (but not required) for consideration for admission for the program:
» The ATI TEAS test
» National League for Nursing Preadmission Examination for RN » ACT or SAT
4. Postsecondary education – If you have completed post-secondary coursework at an accredited university, you must submit a transcript(s) and detailed course description(s) for evaluation of academic achievement and possible credit transfer. Cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above is preferred.
5. Citizenship – You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the United States.
6. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required for applicants whose first language is not English.
Support services
Career and wellness:
Faculty serve as student career advisors. In addition to career planning, the advisory relationship includes mentoring and academic coaching. You may also choose to be paired with a member of an upper class for “near peer” mentoring. Wellness coaching is built into the curriculum.
Admissions and financial aid:
The Financial Aid Office staff can help you identify available financial resources to achieve your educational goals while managing the cost of attendance. You can connect with a School of Nursing financial aid advisor by emailing financialaid@som.geisinger.edu.
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Student testimonials
A caring, supportive workplace led this student to chase her dream
“Nursing is a second career for me, and I feel very strongly in motivating others toward the profession. As a supervisor, I feel a large portion of my role is to help staff understand their strengths, and how to use their talents to pursue their dreams.”
– Hannah Leach, PCA at Geisinger Lewistown Hospital
The other side of the needle: Empathy at the core of great nursing
“In class, we talk about biases. But it’s not our job to judge, just to treat. Even with some of my older patients with cancer — I don’t say, ‘I’m good, so you’ll be good,’ but I share my story with them and show that I understand what they’re going through. I have a patient advocate heart.”
– Alison Snyder, GN ’22
Contact us
Geisinger School of Nursing 400 Highland Ave. Lewistown, PA 17044 717-242-7930 Fax: 717-242-7933 nursing@som.geisinger.edu geisinger.edu/son
Geisinger College of Health Sciences is committed to nondiscrimination in all employment and educational opportunities.
Students shown are graduates or current students from the diploma program.
624623-9/22-HDAV/BF
Geisinger College of Health Sciences Geisinger Lewistown Hospital 400 Highland Ave. Lewistown, PA 17044