Students looking for an entry-level job in registered nursing may choose to pursue this degree. Students can achieve an ASN at the Community College of Allegheny County or at La Roche College. Both schools offer a five-semester program that includes a summer semester. The curriculum at each school includes anatomy and physiology, microbiology and introduction to psychology. The NLNAC accredits both programs. The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that registered nurses holding associate degrees may face more limited opportunities for advancement than those with four-year or graduate degrees.
Those wishing to secure a four-year degree before working as registered nurses will find a few BSN programs in Pittsburgh geared for them. Schools offering these traditional BSN programs include Carlow University, Duquesne University and the University of Pittsburgh. Students need 123 to 130 credits to graduate with a bachelor of science in nursing. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education accredits each of these schools.
Achieving a master's degree in nursing prepares students for roles in management or as nurse practitioners. Pittsburgh schools offering a MSN include the University of Pittsburgh, where students can concentrate their degree in research, informatics, education, anesthesia and other areas. Those pursing a MSN at Carlow University can focus on becoming a nurse practitioner or in education and nursing leadership. Carlow's MSN programs last from one to four years, depending on the number of credits taken per semester. La Roche offers its MSN curriculum online.
Students can earn a doctor of nursing practice (DNP) at Carlow University. The University of Pittsburgh also offers this degree. Carlow says its DNP program trains students to evaluate research and evidence, then apply it to practice and decision making. Pittsburgh says its Ph.D. "prepares nurse scholars who will discover and extend scientific knowledge that advances the science and practice of nursing and contributes to other disciplines."