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Nursing

King's College offers three distinct programs based on your goals, whether you are an undergraduate student looking to start a nursing career, a registered nurse seeking advancement with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, or a college graduate who wants a career change in nursing.
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Program Overview

For individuals who are inspired by helping others, there are few career paths more rewarding than nursing. Nurses are at the front lines of critical medical care, often having the first and most frequent interactions with patients in need. And as healthcare challenges across the country expand, so do employment opportunities for professionals in this field.

A career in nursing opens the door to opportunities in Adult Health, Pediatrics, Obstetrics, Psychiatry, and more. Key responsibilities include:

  • Promoting wellness and disease prevention
  • Providing education on chronic disease management
  • Coordinating regenerative and restorative care
  • Administering hospice and palliative care
Nursing students posing with a dummy on a hospital bed

Careers

According to the American Nurses Association (ANA), Registered Nurses (RNs) form the backbone of healthcare delivery in the United States. There are over 4 million RNs in the United States today, which means that 1 in every 100 people is an RN. Nurses are in every community—large and small—providing expert care from birth to the end of life. Employment of Registered Nurses is projected to grow 6% from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.

Graduates with a B.S. in nursing degree from our program gain a competitive set of skills and knowledge. They learn how to think critically, utilize clinical judgment, develop communication and leadership skills, understand and participate in nursing research, and recognize and address the health needs of global communities.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for registered nurses with a bachelor's degree was $89,651, with employment opportunities expected to grow faster than average over the next 10 years.

Nurses with a bachelor's degree can even pursue a master's degree for positions like nurse anesthetist, nurse midwife, and nurse practitioner, and nurse educator.
two nursing students talking in a pediatrics hospital setting

What Makes the King's Nursing Program Different?

The King's College Nursing Department in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., offers unique pathways to get a Bachelor of Science in Nursing:

For Students Who Have a Bachelor's Degree Other than Nursing

  • Our one-year Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing Hybrid program that allows you to take the NCLEX-RN test and begin working as registered nurses in just one year.
  • This program's hybrid component allows you to work alongside other nursing students and faculty.

For High School Graduates

  • Our 1+2+1 Dual Degrees in Nursing Program is the only one in the region that makes you eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) at the end of the third year. As a result, you can jump start your career by working part-time as an RN during your senior year while taking your remaining courses online.
  • Our partnership with Luzerne County Community College (LCCC) ensures you'll have access to state-of-the-art facilities and a variety of clinical settings, including community health agencies, clinics, hospitals, and nursing homes.
  • Students enrolled in our 1+2+1 Dual Degrees in Nursing Program achieved a 100% pass rate on the NCLEX-RN in 2023.

For Registered Nurses with a Diploma or Associate Degree

  • Our RN to B.S. Program allows you to attain bachelor's degree in as little as one year with qualifying prequisites.
  • Nursing courses are 100% online
CCNE accreditation seal


The baccalaureate degree program in nursing at King’s College is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (https://www.ccneaccreditation.org).

nurses meeting in a hospital hallway

Nursing Program Description

Your success hinges on your ability to think critically and communicate with patients and staff. King's helps you develop these skills through our interdisciplinary approach, which enhances your development with a liberal arts education. Our nursing degree curriculum also helps students learn the importance of social responsibility and the ability to make informed, ethical decisions. We place a particular focus on helping underserved patients through accessible educational programs, clinical practice, research, and public service.

Find the right nursing program for you by exploring the program details, admission requirements, and other helpful resources below!

Our Mission Statement

In preparing Baccalaureate educated nurses, the Nursing Department shares the mission and vision of King’s College. It embraces the values of academic excellence, creative pedagogy, engaged mentorship, co-curricular participation, and a collaborative spirit. The nursing program pursues the values and beliefs of nursing as a humanistic service which continues to embody the role of the professional nurse as a future leader utilizing evidence-based decision making while adapting to healthcare changes in a multicultural society.

Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing Hybrid Program

Program Description

Our Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing Hybrid (ABSN-H) program is designed for individuals who have completed a bachelor's degree in a subject other than in nursing. This rapid-paced program allows graduates to take the NCLEX-RN and begin working as registered nurses in just one year.

This program's hybrid component allows students to work alongside other nursing students and faculty. Our curriculum is carefully crafted to help you understand, apply, and retain the didactic and clinical information you need for success in this field.

In addition, you'll benefit from a hybrid schedule that incorporates both online and on-campus learning opportunities and our state-of-the-art lab. We'll also give you access to community and agency-based clinical experiences, as well as the latest in professional simulation programs.

For our nursing program, we maintain high academic standards. A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university is required, with a minimum GPA of 3.0 for a science degree and 3.2 for a non-science degree. Applicants who have been enrolled and were unsuccessful in a previous nursing program will not be considered for admission.   

Complete 4 prerequisite science courses and 10 core courses before the program starts. 

Upon successful completion of the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Hybrid (ABSN-H) program, a Nursing Education Verification (NEV) statement will be sent to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. Graduates will be eligible in any of the U.S. States for the National Council Licensure Examination [for] Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). This 1-year program prepares students for postsecondary success and a return on their education investment. Graduates are expected to have annual loan payments averaging no more than 8% of their total income or 20% of their discretionary income. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Median Entry-Level Pay for Registered Nurses in the U.S. is $86,070 per year, $41.38 per hour. Sign-on bonus offers vary for each employer, ranging between $1,000-$10,000 (or more) in exchange for an agreement to work for a set time period (3-5 years). Employment of Registered Nurses is projected to grow 6 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.

Admission Criteria

Prerequisite Science Courses (16 cr.,  B grade or higher) 

  • Anatomy & Physiology I + lab (4)
  • Anatomy & Physiology II + lab (4)
  • Microbiology + lab (4)
  • Chemistry + lab (4)

Prerequisite Core Courses (30 cr., B- grade or higher)

  • Normal Nutrition (3) (Instructor to be a Registered Dietitian)
  • Oral Communication (3) 
  • English Literature (3) 
  • English Composition (3) 
  • History (3) 
  • Theology (3)
  • Introduction to Psychology (3) 
  • Developmental Psychology (3) (Across the Lifespan) 
  • Introduction to Sociology (3) 
  • Statistics (3)

Other Resources

1+2+1 Dual Degrees in Nursing Program

Program Description

Our Dual Degrees in Nursing Program in partnership with Luzerne County Community College (LCCC) offers high school students a seamless and unique route to earning a B.S. in nursing in just four years.

During the program, you will earn two degrees: an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) and a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Nursing. In fact, you will even earn your A.A.S. at LCCC by the end of your third year, which allows you to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) one year earlier than traditional nursing programs. As a result, you can work as a registered nurse in your fourth year while you complete your remaining nursing courses entirely online, which is an advantage no other program in our region provides!

While you will be taking courses at both King's and LCCC, you can participate in King's NCAA sports and live on the King's campus throughout the entirety of the dual degree nursing program!

Admission Criteria

To be eligible for the King's and LCCC nursing 1+2+1 (dual degree nursing program), students must meet the following minimum admission requirements:

  • C or better Algebra II/Trigonometry level
  • C or better in Chemistry
  • C or better in Biology
  • A minimum cumulative high school GPA of 2.75
  • Endorsement of their high school
  • Students must not have been suspended or dismissed for any reason.
  • Candidates must pass the TOEFL exam with a 90% or better if English is not their native language. The passing score on the TOEFL will vary depending on the type of exam you take (internet based, computer based, or paper and pencil). TOEFL scores must be submitted within the application deadline. If you have a bachelor's degree from a U.S. college or university, you do not need to take the TOEFL

To move into year two of the B.S. dual degree program and begin the LCCC clinical phase, students must:

  • Pass the TEAS exam by December 1st of their first year with a score of 58.7 or higher (students can retake this exam every 30 days if needed)
  • Achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 by the end of their first Fall semester
  • Secure admission to the LCCC program by December 20th
  • Meet the Health Science Admissions Background

1+2+1 nursing program students should verify they've met all criteria by March 15 of their first year. All students admitted to the program who meet the matriculation requirements will be permitted to continue into the LCCC phase of the nursing program.

Transfer students must fill out an Application for Internal Transfer or Change of Major. Students must meet all high school criteria and have a college GPA of 2.75. Admission is competitive and based on available seats.

Other Resources

RN to B.S. in Nursing Program

Program Requirements

If you are a registered nurse who graduated from an accredited associate or diploma degree program, you are eligible to apply to our RN to B.S. in Nursing program. All nursing courses in this program are online, allowing you to complete the curriculum while still working as a nurse.

Admission Criteria

Applicants are considered on an on-going basis. In addition to successful completion of course work, the following are required for admission:

  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00
  • Official transcripts from previously attended accredited schools, colleges, or universities
  • Evidence of RN licensure
  • Health physical, immunizations, vaccines, urine drug screen, and background checks
  • RN to B.S. in nursing candidates must pass the TOEFL exam with a 90% or better if English is not their native language. The passing score on the TOEFL will vary depending on the type of exam you take (internet based, computer based, or paper and pencil). TOEFL scores must be submitted within the application deadline. If you have a bachelor's degree from a U.S. college or university, you do not need to take the TOEFL.

Other Resources

Scholarship Opportunities

View a list of all nursing scholarship opportunities here.

Nursing Foundation of Pennsylvania

All applicants must be accepted/enrolled in an accredited nursing school in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, demonstrate financial need and have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Please see link below for each scholarship's eligibility details and application requirements. Apply here.

Nightingale Awards of PA

The Nightingale Awards of Pennsylvania is a non-profit organization sponsoring a scholarship program dedicated to supporting Pennsylvania residents who are pursuing a program of basic (LPN, Diploma, ADN, BSN, BSN Completion) or advanced degree in nursing (Masters, Doctoral), and Ph.D. education in a Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing approved program. To apply, you MUST be a resident of Pennsylvania. Apply here.

National Black Nurses Association

The National Black Nurses Association provides scholarships to students at all levels (LPN to Doctorate). You MUST be an NBNA member to apply. Apply here.

National League of Nursing

As the first national organization to fund nursing education research, the NLN is the leader in advancing the science of nursing education — furthering the scholarship of teaching and promoting evidence-based nursing education. A long record of support for rigorous, high-quality study that contributes to academic progression is reflected in the NLN's nursing education research and grants program. Apply here.

National Association of Hispanic Nurses

NAHN Scholarships are awarded annually to active NAHN members enrolled in accredited LVN/LPN, associate, diploma, baccalaureate, and graduate nursing programs. Scholarship recipients are a select group of nursing students who demonstrate promise of professional contributions to the nursing profession and who have the potential to act as role models for other aspiring nursing students. Apply here.

The Foundation of the National Nurses' Association, Inc.

Open to all currently enrolled nursing students across the country, the Undergraduate Scholarship Program awards scholarship funds based on a set of criteria established by the sponsor of the scholarship. These scholarships typically reflect a specific area of specialization within the nursing profession such as oncology, critical care, or emergency nursing or a certain population of the nursing profession that is often underrepresented. Funding is up to $10,000 per academic year. Apply here.

DiversityNursing.com

For the Education Award, you must be enrolled as a full-time or part-time student in an accredited School of Nursing in a professional registered nurse program (baccalaureate, graduate, associate degree or diploma) OR work Full-Time, Part-Time or Per Diem as a Registered Nurse, LPN, Nurse Practitioner or Nurse Leader/Administrator at a U.S. based organization. Apply here.

Registered Nursing

Scholarships and grants are available for nursing students. Apply here.

Tylenol

Each year the makers of TYLENOL® award annual scholarships to well deserving students pursuing careers in healthcare. Apply here.

Nurse Corps

Eligible nursing students can apply to the Nurse Corps Scholarship Program. If accepted, it will cover your tuition, fees, and other educational costs. In return, you will work at a Critical Shortage Facility when you graduate. Apply here.

Appleseed Scholarship Fund 

The Appleseed Scholarship Fund was established in response to the merger of the Wyoming Valley Health & Education / Appleseed Foundation into The Luzerne Foundation for the benefit of Northeastern Pennsylvania, primarily Luzerne County. The scholarship is available to rising junior or senior students in the Dual Degrees Program and students enrolled in the Accelerated Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing Hybrid (ABSN – H) Program. Students who plan to work in healthcare in Northeastern Pennsylvania (preferably Luzerne County) for at least two years post-graduation are eligible. Native Luzerne County residents are given preference.

Contact Us

Billie Burry, Ph.D., MSN-Ed, RN
Nursing Department Chair, Assistant Professor of Nursing
billieburry@kings.edu
(570) 208-5900 ext. 5205

Maria Grandinetti, Ph.D., RN, BSBA, CNE
Director, Department of Nursing, Associate Professor of Nursing
mariagrandinetti@kings.edu
(570) 208-5900 ext. 5210

Christina Lavan, MSN-Ed, RN, CWCN
Lab and Clinical Coordinator, Department of Nursing, Assistant Clinical Professor
christinalavan@kings.edu
(570) 208-5900 ext. 5896

Visit Us

We welcome all potential students and their families to visit our beautiful campus and get a taste of the King’s College experience. Feel free to schedule a personal visit or register for one of our upcoming admission events.

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