Nurses

Nursing continues to be the largest profession in healthcare, offering various settings in which to practice along with specialty areas from which to choose. Research, administration, practice and education are focus areas for ongoing career advancement.

The nursing programs at Reading Area Community College (RACC) train students for a challenging career as a professional nurse where they can make a difference in the lives of others through highly qualified classroom instruction taught by experienced clinical faculty members. The programs also provide exceptional clinical experience at multiple leading healthcare institutions in Berks County.

The Reading Area Community College Associate Degree Nursing Program prepares students for entry-level nursing practice in any setting and to take the N-CLEX-RN examination. The RACC N-CLEX-RN pass rate is 94 percent: exceptionally high by healthcare industry standards.

Courses in nursing are enhanced with simulation and instructor–guided clinical experiences in a variety of medical-surgical and specialty practice settings. As an Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)-accredited nursing program, RACC graduates who are granted Pennsylvania RN licensure are eligible for entry into all RN-BSN programs. Academic progression is encouraged and supported by RACC articulation agreements.

RACC offers two Associate Degree Nursing Program options to accommodate the busy lives of its students. The day program option provides classroom and patient care instruction during daytime hours. It encompasses four semesters over two years. Classroom instruction occurs two days per week (two to three hours per day), and patient care/lab experiences are two additional days per week. Patient care experience hours increase as a student works through the program.

The evening program option (beginning fall 2023) provides classroom and patient care instruction during evening hours. It encompasses seven semesters, including winter and summer sessions, over two years. Classroom instruction occurs two evenings per week (two to three hours per evening), and patient care/lab experiences are two additional evenings per week. Patient care experience hours increase as a student progresses in the program.

Students in both program options learn about the nursing process applied throughout the health-illness continuum, chronic, acute and critical care concepts across the lifespan, multiple clinical nursing skills and soft skills such as professionalism, leadership and communication.

The nursing programs also offer articulation agreements with multiple colleges and universities to allow for easy transfer of courses toward a bachelor's degree in Nursing.

To learn more about RACC training for a career in nursing, contact an enrollment specialist at admissions@racc.edu, 610.607.6224.

Penn State Berks is improving the lives of others, starting right here in Berks County. From working with local hospitals to improve health and nutrition, to initiating conservation efforts, to helping ideas become reality through our Berks LaunchBox innovation hub in downtown Reading, the college serves the community in a wide variety of ways.

Students enjoy the best of both worlds with all the benefits of a world-class university and an intimate campus setting, whether they choose to enroll in one of our 20 degree programs or begin one of Penn State’s 275+ degree programs that can be completed at another campus.

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