Temple University

Temple University’s nursing education is centered on preparing a diverse workforce to tackle complex public health challenges. The Department of Nursing offers a unique "1+3" traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), where students spend their first year in a Pre-Nursing track before advancing to the three-year professional sequence. For those who already hold a non-nursing degree, Temple provides a highly competitive 16-month Accelerated BSN (ABSN). At the graduate level, the school offers a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) with concentrations in Adult-Gerontology Primary Care and Family-Individual Across the Lifespan, as well as a Post-Master’s DNP for advanced practice leaders.

The curriculum is rigorous, requiring 124 credits for the BSN, with a heavy emphasis on evidence-based practice and population health. A standout feature is the Nursing Resource Center, a state-of-the-art simulation lab that replicates high-stakes clinical environments. Students complete approximately 973 clinical hours—starting with "Community Home" rotations in their sophomore year to immerse them in neighborhood-based care. Clinical placements include premier institutions like Temple University Hospital, Fox Chase Cancer Center, and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). While the BSN program recently transitioned back to full approval status with a 2023 NCLEX-RN pass rate of 86.3%, the school remains focused on continuous improvement and interprofessional collaboration. Compared to other urban programs, Temple is distinguished by its deep commitment to North Philadelphia and its integration of nursing within a broader College of Public Health framework.