Of the top nursing programs in the nation, some programs, like those at the University of California in San Francisco, do not offer traditional BSN programs. Some schools focus almost exclusively on graduate education and research. Some of the schools near the top of the list of the nation's best nursing programs do, however, offer the traditional BSN program. One of those schools is the University of Michigan, which was ranked No. 5 among all of the nation's nursing schools in 2007 by "U.S. News & World Report" in 2007.
The traditional BSN program at Michigan is designed for high school and transfer students working on their first baccalaureate degree. Admissions guidelines are fairly stringent. Michigan admits only the top applicants to the program because many students will go on to pursue advanced degrees in the field later on. Michigan's program, although traditional, is geared toward providing students with a foundation for graduate study.
Students pursue a variety of course offerings in fields such as biological chemistry, pharmacology, health and social justice, health promotion and risk reduction, disability issues, women's health and pathophysiology, among others.
University of Michigan
School of Nursing
400 North Ingalls
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
734-763-5985
nursing.umich.edu
A second top school offering a traditional BSN program for both transfer students and entering high school graduates is the University of Pennsylvania (Penn). Penn is world-renowned for many of its academic programs in the medical sciences. Its nursing program ranked No. 3 among all U.S. nursing programs in 2007. Penn's nursing program, like that at the University of Michigan, is traditional but geared toward graduate study with its rigorous courses of study. The school does offer accelerated programs as well for those who wish to finish their education in less than the traditional four-year format.
Courses of study include areas such as psychiatric mental health nursing, nursing care of older adults, pediatric nursing, basic concepts of therapeutics and pharmacology, human physiology and anatomy and promoting healthy lifestyles.
University of Pennsylvania
School of Nursing
420 Guardian Drive
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6096
214-898-8281
nursing.upenn.edu
A third option for traditional BSN degrees is offered by the nation's top nursing program at the University of Washington (UW). UW is known for its emphasis upon primary care as evidenced by the fact that its highly rated medical school is considered one of the best primary care medical schools in the nation (as opposed to a research emphasis). Students are expected, however, to take courses in both research and clinical training as part of the BSN program.
Students are admitted to the nursing program after completing the general education requirements of the university. Areas of emphasis within the UW program include family nursing, neonatal nursing, pharmacotherapeutics, psychosocial nursing practice and gerontology.
University of Washington
School of Nursing
1959 NE Pacific St.
Seattle, WA 98195
206-543-8736
son.washington.edu