the university of pennsylvania school of nursing?

Columnist · Aug 5, 2011

Moved to PA Nursing Programs Discussion forum. Hopefully you get some responses here.

Good luck!

dyslexicandetermined · Sep 17, 2011

any answers!!!!!!!?

chuckster, ADN, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Sep 19, 2011

hello,
i am i high school student starting my college search. i know i want to major in nursing! I was just wondering if some people that go or have gone to Penn could give more infomation about Penn nursing.
these are the questions i have about the school:
what is the student to faculty ratio on clinicals or simulation lab?
are the class sizes overwhelmingly large?
do you enjoy going to PEnn!?
do you like the professors?
would you recomend a student to go there?
thank you for your time!

I did not go to Penn but know a number of folks who did. Their assessment of the school seemed to be overwhelmingly positive and I believe that all or nearly all the clinicals are at the U Penn hospitals. I'd suggest that you contact the school and set up a meeting and campus tour. The Penn campus is quite nice, at least compared to that of my alma maters, Temple and Drexel. Though Penn is the largest of the Ivy League schools, classes tend to be fairly small, though I don't know about nursing specifically (I was a grad B-student at Drexel and got to audit a Penn course - Drexel grad students also got to use the Penn library, a very good thing because the DU library was nothing to write home about).

Penn has a outstanding reputation for many things, though not necessarily nursing. This doesn't mean the nursing program is bad - in fact, it's probably the best in the Phila area - just that it doesn't seem to have the national reputation of Wharton or the engineering school. Some of the nursing faculty at Penn are nationally known (and many of the med school faculty are) though I suspect that they do more research than teaching. I also suspect that unlike most other new nursing grads in the area, Penn nursing grad are not having too difficult a time finding jobs. Again, the nursing office at Penn would be able to provide you with this info.

As I'm sure you know, admission to Penn is very competitive, so keep your grades up and study hard for the SAT's.

Good luck to you.

kdrose01 · Sep 20, 2011

Penn has a outstanding reputation for many things, though not necessarily nursing. This doesn't mean the nursing program is bad - in fact, it's probably the best in the Phila area - just that it doesn't seem to have the national reputation of Wharton or the engineering school.

That's actually somewhat incorrect. While you're correct that it's not known like Wharton is, Penn has one of the most well regarded nursing programs in the country and is consistently ranked among the top 10 in the country - usually it's in the top 5 (Pitt, U Wash, UCSF, Johns Hopkins, and UNC are its major competitors). That being said, do I think it's necessary to spend $50k a year to attend Penn as an undergrad to be a nurse? No, I don't. You won't make any more than I will as a soon-to-be graduate of Thomas Jefferson University's nursing program. Go with the school that you like the best and that fits you financially. $200,000 worth of debt for a BSN is insane, since it will take you a lifetime to pay off - unless you have wealthy parents who are willing to foot the bill. Explore your options and enjoy nursing school!

dyslexicandetermined · Sep 20, 2011

thank you for your time! and to Kdrose01, i see what you mean about the price of Penn! i am just realy love evrything i hear about the school. financially i cant not afford the school but when or if the time comes to make the decision of going to PENN i would apply and hope to get some grants!!!!! do you have other schools that you would recomend me to look at? i like a school that is in the city!