Top 10 Bachelor Degree Nursing Programs

See which US schools have the top ranked undergraduate BSN degree programs

Written by Felipe on July 10th, 2011

A vital factor in furthering one’s nursing career is selecting the best nursing programs available according to the nursing candidate’s requirements. Below are Top 10 Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Degree Programs that offer students the best possible options to expand their careers paths and choices.

1. JOHN HOPKINS UNIVERSITY

Specialties: Clinical Nurse Specialist – community/public health.
Also offered is: Nurse Practitioner — family, adult, pediatrics and Nursing Service Administrator.

Degrees: offered are the traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

Awards: With numerous prestigious awards in the national and international sphere, John Hopkins is easily among the Top Ten Schools offering BSN degrees and possibly the best known.

2. UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA

Specialties: Clinical Nurse Specialist – medical/surgical, adult and psychiatrics/mental health. A Nurse Practitioner Degree – adult, gerontological/geriatrics and pediatrics is also offered. Also, available are degrees in anesthesia and mid-wifery.

Degrees: offered are undergraduate degrees for high school graduates and transfer.

Recognition: Generally recognized as one of the world’s best nursing schools, this School is considered Ivy League and is presently ranked second as a recipient of funds from the National Institute of Health.

3. UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON

Specialties: Clinical Nurse Specialist – community /public health, psychiatrics/mental health and Nurse Practitioner for adults and family.

Degrees: are two basic Bachelor programs: BSN/Accelerated BSN. Also, this excellent School offers various areas of research in nursing and comprehensive online courses.

4. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA

Specialties: Clinical Nurse Specialist – in medical/surgical, adult, community/public health and psychiatrics/mental health. Also offered are specialties such as: Nurse Practitioner – adults, family and gerontological/geriatrics.

Degrees: are basically for advanced degree graduates.

Recognition: The School was ranked #1 in 2003, 2004, 2005,and 2006 by the National Institute of Health. Moreover, the ranking encompasses numerous research grants, awards, and contracts.

5. UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN

Specialties: Nurse Practitioner – adult, family and pediatrics. Also offered is the Nursing Service Administration Degree.

Degrees: a traditional BSN and Accelerated Second Degree BSN.

6. DUKE UNIVERSITY

Specialties: Nurse Practitioner – gerontological/geriatrics, adult, family, anesthesia and pediatrics.

Degrees: an Accelerated BSN Degree. However, it was recently ranked 7th place overall in quality according to US News and World Report Rankings.

7. OREGON HEALTH AND SCIENCE UNIVERSITY

Specialties: Nurse Practitioner – family, adult, gerontological /geriatrics and anesthesia.

Degrees: both a BSN and an Accelerated BSN program are offered.

8. UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH

Specialties:
Clinical Nurse – psychiatrics/mental health and Nurse Practitioner – anesthisia, adult, family, and pediatrics. Also offered is Nursing Service Administration.

Degrees: BSN courses are offered.

Recognition: In 2009-2010, 95% of their BSN graduates passed exams on their first time around. This fact, plus its BSN program being accredited until the year 2019, makes this school a serious choice to consider.

9. UNIVERSITY OF IOWA

Specialties: Nurse Practitioner – family, adult and gerontology.

Degrees: The School offers BSN and RN BSN Degrees.

Distinguished Awards: Recently, the College Of Nursing Faculty received the Governor’s Volunteer Award two years consecutively.

10. EMORY UNIVERSITY

Specialties: Nurse Practitioner – family and pediatrics.

Degrees: The BSN program concentrates primarily on on-site settings. Its graduates typically work in intensive care, pediatrics and adult acute care. The School also has a BSN for Second Degree Students.

These recognized Schools of Nursing are distinguished, superb and represent the cream of the top. Nursing students should give serious consideration to choosing the right college or university to complete their BSN degree.