Temple University Nursing Program: A Comprehensive Overview

Temple University offers a comprehensive nursing program designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and experience necessary for a successful career in the ever-evolving healthcare landscape. The Department of Nursing aims to be a leading force in community-engaged, collaborative efforts to achieve health equity and a quality of life for all, preparing a diverse nursing workforce who excel in leadership, practice, research, and scholarship. The program aspires to provide excellence in academic programming that is responsive to the health needs of individuals and populations, within the context of community, defined as a social and physical environment where living occurs. The program is committed to the highest level of caregiving that is prevention-oriented and evidence-based and provided in collaboration with the community and other professionals and disciplines.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Program

Temple University’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program is designed to provide students with a strong foundation for their professional nursing careers. The program offers opportunities to gain experience through direct care among diverse populations in a variety of healthcare settings. The curriculum progresses from humanities, science fundamentals, and basic nursing theory and skills to the application of this knowledge in the provision of simple and progressively more complex care. Students learn to meet the needs of individuals across the lifespan, apply sound clinical reasoning, and collaborate with a full healthcare team. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing also creates a strong foundation for students to continue into graduate-level nursing programs, such as Temple's Doctor of Nursing Practice.

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). After passing the NCLEX, graduates can practice as a registered nurse in the state in which they took the examination or transfer their license to practice in another state.

Program Pathways

Temple University’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree can be obtained through two pathways:

Traditional BSN: This is a 4-year program of study for students entering with a high school diploma. Temple’s Traditional BSN program is an eight-semester program with first-year student admission. During the first year, students examine the history of nursing and the role nurses play in the community. Courses focus on the needs of medically underserved and vulnerable populations, immersing students in ethics, health literacy, therapeutic communication, and more. Hands-on practice in the simulation lab allows students to apply concepts from class and improve their knowledge and skills in a supportive, safe, and supervised environment.
Accelerated BSN: This is a 16-month program designed for individuals who have already earned a bachelor’s degree in another major. Students in this program complete course work in 16-months with the Accelerated BSN.

Curriculum Overview

The nursing curriculum is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of nursing theory and practice. The curriculum for both the traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing program and the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is identical and designed to ensure students are well-versed in the nursing discipline and safety in practice. Courses in the curriculum include Evidence Based Practice & Nursing Research;Foundations of Nutrition Across the Lifespan;General Nursing Practice; and Professionalism, Leadership & Management in Nursing.

The program requires 124 credits over four years.

Year 1

Fall: Introduction to Chemistry I, Introduction to Chemistry Laboratory I, Analytical Reading and Writing, Public Health: The Way We Live, Work and Play, Human Anatomy and Physiology I
Spring: Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life, General Biology II, Human Anatomy and Physiology II, Introduction to Psychology, Introduction to the Nursing Profession

Year 2

Fall: Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good, Clinical Microbiology, Foundations of Nursing, Health Assessment, Pharmacology for Generalist Nursing Practice I
Spring: GenEd Quantitative Literacy Course, Foundations of Developmental Psychology, Perspectives on Lifecycle Nutrition, Pharmacology for Generalist Nursing Practice II, Medical-Surgical Nursing I: Care of the Adult

Year 3

Fall: GenEd Breadth Course, Biostatistics and Public Health, Medical-Surgical Nursing II: Complex Care of the Adult, Mental Health Nursing, Population Health
Spring: GenEd Breadth Course, Perspectives on Health, Thinking Globally, Maternal Infant Nursing, Pediatric Health Nursing

Year 4

Fall: GenEd Breadth Course, Nursing Leadership and Management, Senior Seminar I: Transition to Practice
Spring: General Nursing Practice Internship, Senior Seminar II: Synthesis of Nursing, Introduction to Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice

What Sets Temple's BSN Program Apart?

Opportunities to build experience: The Traditional BSN program is an eight-semester program with first-year student admission. The Accelerated BSN is a 16-month program. During the first year, students examine the history of nursing and the role nurses play in the community. Courses focus on the needs of medically underserved and vulnerable populations, immersing students in ethics, health literacy, therapeutic communication, and more. Hands-on practice in the simulation lab allows students to apply concepts from class and improve their knowledge and skills in a supportive, safe, and supervised environment.
A dynamic urban environment: Temple University is located in North Philadelphia and provides unique opportunities to experience nursing in an urban setting with a diverse community. The Department of Nursing partners with some of the best healthcare facilities in Philadelphia, including Temple University Hospital (Main, Episcopal, Jeanes and Fox Chase Cancer Center campuses), Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children.

Honors Programs for BSN Students

BSN students in the Temple University Honors Program can take advantage of several benefits for honors students, including priority course registration, dedicated honors advisors, and special course opportunities. Krista Schroeder is an assistant professor and serves as faculty mentor for BSN students in the Honors Program.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is competitive.

There are three entry options for BSN applicants that depend on students’ background and education level:

Freshman Option: This option is for highly qualified high school graduates. A minimum high school GPA of 3.25 is required for first-year applicants.
Transfer Option: Current Temple Students: This option allows Temple students to transfer into the BSN program from other majors. Candidates must apply for admission to the College of Public Health. Space is limited and transfer students must complete the four-year BSN program. Current Temple students do not need to re-apply to the university. However, this option requires that students begin the four-year Nursing program as first-year students. Students admitted via this option spend eight semesters in the BSN program, entering in the fall. It is recommended for Temple students with fewer than 30 college credits.
Transfer Option: External Applicants: This option is for students currently enrolled in other colleges or universities who want to transfer into Temple’s BSN program. Space is limited and transfer students must complete the four-year BSN program. Students seeking to transfer from a different institution must have a minimum GPA of 3.5 for college-level work. This option requires that students begin the Nursing program as a first-year Nursing student. Students admitted via this option will spend eight semesters in the program, entering the university in the fall. This option is recommended for transfer students with fewer than 30 college credits.

The application deadline for all options is February 1.

Read also: Is Temple a Good Fit?

Clearance Requirements

Students enrolled in courses that require clinicals or internships must submit updated child abuse, criminal background, and drug clearances every year. Majors in the undergraduate Nursing program must also submit additional medical documentation. All Temple students are also required to pay for coverage under the Temple University Accident Plan.

Applicants should be aware before both applying to and entering the BSN program that the Board of Nursing may refuse to license a person who has been found guilty of, or pleaded guilty to, felony charges. The Board of Nursing application for licensure asks, “Have you been convicted of a misdemeanor, a felony, a felonious act, an illegal act associated with alcohol, or an illegal act associated with substance abuse(s)?” Deceit in the submission of criminal background checks and child abuse clearance forms is cause for dismissal.

Students attending Temple University College of Public Health are required to submit to Temple University Student Health Services proof of immunizations and proof of immunity for MMR, Varicella and hepatitis B, proof of being fully vaccinated to COVID-19, TB screening, and a physical exam prior to matriculation. Annually, an influenza vaccine is required. Some affiliates may also require annual TB screening and urine drug screenings. All students who attend programs that have a clinical / practicum / field education experience will be required to purchase access to the EXXAT - APPROVE compliance module.

Laptop Requirement

Laptops are integrated into the curriculum at the Barnett College of Public Health to improve opportunities for active learning and provide greater access to specialized software and required tools in and out of the classroom. Incoming students are required to have a laptop that meets certain minimum hardware specifications.

Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing

The Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at the Christopher M. Barnett College of Public Health, is designed for those who have already obtained a non-nursing bachelor’s degree. This 63-credit bachelor’s degree program provides you with the extensive knowledge, skills and experience required to become a registered nurse over the course of 16 months. By participating in clinical and field education opportunities at facilities both on campus and in the Philadelphia community, you’ll be able to work with and care for a diverse population of people in various healthcare settings-preparing you for the challenges, demands and environments of today’s world of nursing.

Read also: Affording Temple

Upon completion, graduates will be eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) for Registered Nurses. After passing the NCLEX, you can practice as a registered nurse in the state in which you took the examination or transfer your license to practice in another state.

Learning Objectives

Held on Temple’s Main Campus, the accelerated nursing degree program curriculum places a significant emphasis on basic nursing theory and skills and the ability to apply this knowledge in order to provide simple-and progressively more complex-care to patients. Through this program, you will learn the following:

The application of evidence-based practice and research findings to improve nursing care and the healthcare system.
Collaboration with a full healthcare team to achieve optimal health outcomes.
Engagement with clients to improve outcomes through health promotion across the lifespan and the continuum of care.
How to foster healthy communities through advocacy that is informed by local and global perspectives.
The use of primary, secondary and tertiary levels of prevention to maximize quality of life and prevent disease.

What Sets Apart the Accelerated BSN?

A dynamic urban environment: Located in North Philadelphia, Temple University provides unique opportunities to experience nursing in an urban setting with a diverse community. The Department of Nursing partners with some of the best healthcare facilities in Philadelphia, including Temple University Hospital (Main, Episcopal, Jeanes and Fox Chase Cancer Center campuses), Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children.
A unique, expedited program: The Nursing program provides students with the tools required to earn a nursing degree in a focused, 16-month time frame that benefits students, faculty and healthcare employers. It also offers adult students an opportunity to join a program that recognizes and values the life experience, knowledge and skills they gained while earning previous degrees-giving students a unique learning experience no matter their educational background.

Student Life and Resources

Student Organizations

All students are eligible to join Temple’s chapter of the Student Nurses’ Association of Pennsylvania (SNAP), which is the official professional organization for nursing students. All students are encouraged to join and have the opportunity to engage in community service activities throughout the year, as well as to participate in local, state, and national meetings to gain information about careers and professional growth. Students can also engage with peers and find leadership opportunities in student-led clubs and organizations in the Barnett College of Public Health.

Study Away

Students can become informed, active global citizens and enrich their education by studying away. Temple offers study abroad opportunities, including information about specific programs and visas, as well as resources on cultural adaptation, diversity matters, and health and safety.

Advising

The Barnett College of Public Health offers extensive, personalized advising services to students in each department. Beginning in the summer before their first year, students meet with academic advisors who schedule time with them regularly throughout the nursing program to review their progress, and provide additional guidance and referral to student resources and services, as needed.

Nursing Resource Center

The Nursing Resource Center at Temple's Health Sciences Center campus is a simulation-based learning environment that utilizes state-of-the-art technology to aid in student skill development, critical reasoning, and teamwork. Students participate in real-life situations in a safe and controlled simulated setting with guidance from faculty. Clinical sites may include but are not limited to Temple Hospital Main, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Jeanes Hospital, Episcopal Hospital, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children.

Accreditation

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing and doctor of nursing practice program at Temple University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. The program is approved by the State Board of Nursing, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

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