| 2023-2024 Course Catalog
Pathways to Nursing (BSN)
- Pathways to Nursing prepares world-ready nurses to develop the skills necessary in today’s health care system.
- Through a partnership with UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing students are educated by faculty members from both Chatham University and UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing.
- Courses in the first year will be held on the Chatham University campus. In the second and third year, nursing courses are taught on the UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing campus.
- Students are required to maintain a 2.75 GPA to enter the UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing program.
- Clinical experiences will be scheduled utilizing a variety of UPMC healthcare facilities in the local area.
- Once a student completes the nursing diploma program at UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing they become eligible to take the NCLEX-RN (National Council for Licensing Examination for Registered Nurse) to obtain a license as a registered nurse (RN).
- Students who successfully pass the NCLEX-RN enter Chatham's Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredited on-line RN-BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) program for the final year.
- Students may work as a Registered Nurse (RN) while completing the RN-BSN Program in their fourth (senior) year.
- Pathways to Nursing allows the student to complete a full four-year college experience at Chatham University while earning RN licensure, working as an RN, and finishing their BSN degree.
The RN-BSN program at Chatham University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington DC 20036, (202)887-6791.
Eligibility for Pennsylvania Nursing Licensure:
Pennsylvania law prohibits the State Board of Nursing from issuing a license to anyone who has been convicted of a felony relating to a controlled substance, unless at least ten years have elapsed from the date of conviction, and the applicant satisfies other criteria of personal rehabilitation. At the time of application for licensure, the State Board also requires reporting of any crime, felony, misdemeanor, or pending criminal charges.
All undergraduate students must satisfy the General Education requirements.
Admission Requirements
Applications for admission to the Chatham University Pathways to Nursing Program must include:
- The Chatham University online application
- The supplemental UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing application
- High School transcripts showing graduation date and 2 years of science with related lab coursework
- Post-secondary Education: all transcripts must be submitted
- Completion of the following high school courses with a “C” or higher
- 4 years of English
- 2 years of Science (Biology or Chemistry) with a related Laboratory
- 2 years of Mathematics (1 of which is Algebra)
- 3 years of Social Studies
- Recommended: Anatomy and Physiology
- High school GPA of 3.0 or greater
- SAT > 1050 or ACT > 21 or TEAS test score of 62% or higher. Offered by ATI at https://atitesting.com/Home.aspx and required for admission to UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing.
If accepted for admission to UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing, the candidate will receive a written offer of acceptance. To reserve a space in the incoming class, the candidate must acknowledge acceptance in writing per the letter offering admission to the school.
Once accepted to Pathways to Nursing, all students are required to satisfy the requirements for participation in clinical rotations including background checks and a health screening, and a current CPR certification.
All students will be provided a current checklist detailing documentation to be provided and the respective submission deadlines when attending a post-acceptance UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing Information Session.
Students not meeting the requirements to enter or remain enrolled in the UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing Program will receive written notification from the School of Health Sciences Dean's office advising them to select an academic major other than Pathways to Nursing. Students are required to complete appropriate documentation to secure a different academic major and advisor. The University Registrar’s Office will automatically change the student’s major to “undeclared” and assign a new advisor if the appropriate documentation is not completed within the timeframe designated in the notification letter.
Post-Acceptance Information Session/New Student Orientation
Attendance at a post-acceptance information session/new student orientation is required once the offer of admission has been accepted. Topics covered at these sessions include academic schedules, photo ID cards, and compliance requirements.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the Program, the student will:
- Synthesize knowledge from nursing and other related disciplines in acquisition and application of nursing knowledge, competencies, and values for professional practice.
- Demonstrate knowledge for nursing leadership, quality improvement, and patient safety in order to provide high quality care.
- Integrate evidence-based findings into professional nursing practice.
- Apply skills related to information management and patient care technology in order to deliver quality patient care Comprehend the influence of healthcare policies and finance on healthcare system operations.
- Utilize interprofessional collaboration and communication with other health team members in planning, coordinating, providing, and evaluating care.
- Apply concepts of clinical prevention and health promotion to individuals, families, and communities in a global society. Provide professional, culturally competent, and ethically congruent care that reflects dignity and uniqueness of individuals and groups in diverse global populations.
- Utilize the nursing process and health care resources in the protection, promotion, and optimization of health in care of individuals, families, and communities across the lifespan.
