Are you an empathetic person who cares about the wellbeing of others? Do you have an interest in how the body handles and overcomes illness and injury? If you are looking for a career that allows you to make a difference in the lives of others, nursing might be the right fit for you!
HACC’s Nursing program can put you on the path to earning your license and finding a position in a healthcare facility. After completing our program and earning your Associate in Science (AS) in nursing, you will be qualified to register for the NCLEX® licensing exam, which is required by the state of Pennsylvania for you to practice as a Registered Nurse (RN).
Our program is approved by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing and is fully accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
All students interested in this program must begin in the Pre-Health Professions Program. Then, students may apply for admission into this program once they meet the requirements to apply. Students will discuss these admission requirements as part of their advising process.
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Once you pass the NCLEX® licensing exam and obtain your license, you’ll be prepared to begin an entry-level position as a registered nurse (RN) in a variety of healthcare delivery settings, such as acute-care hospitals, rehabilitation facilities and long-term care facilities, among others. Many of our graduates take positions in medical, surgical, critical-care, obstetrics, oncology, pediatrics, mental health and emergency departments.
As an RN, you will have an influence in your community and make a difference by:
Students who are best suited to become an RN have:
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Our Nursing program is a dynamic, concept-based nursing curriculum taught by faculty who are experts in their field. You will be able to apply your nursing knowledge in a variety of healthcare settings. In fact, our graduates are highly sought by local healthcare employers.
Throughout our program, our compassionate, empathetic professors will teach you how to:
You will also be taught how to develop and manage nursing care plans, instruct patients and their families in proper care and help individuals take steps to improve or maintain their health. In addition, high-fidelity simulation scenarios will prepare you to handle high-risk situations that you may face when caring for patients.:*
Note*: You must be able to demonstrate competency in dosage calculations throughout our program to advance through the courses. Mathematics is considered an essential safety skill. We do offer a dosage calculations course to help you if you need to strengthen your skillset in this area.
HACC developed the following program outcomes from the four core concepts and nine key components of the Nursing program’s Conceptual Framework (pdf). The curriculum will prepare you to demonstrate:
Professionalism - Possess a sense of professional identity, a spirit of inquiry and a commitment to the profession of registered nursing.
Communication - Communicate effectively, in a therapeutic way with the patient, promoting human dignity, integrity, and human flourishing across the life span
Critical Thinking - Demonstrate the ability to recall and comprehend information to problem solve using the nursing process, evidence-based practice and concepts foundational to quality registered nursing practice
Caring - Engage in caring behaviors to provide a safe, compassionate, nurturing environment that promotes human flourishing
*Adapted from Educational Competencies for Graduates of Associate Degree Nursing Programs, NLN, 2010. Bold and italicized words are concepts that thread throughout the HACC Nursing program Conceptual Framework (pdf).
Please note that our program is selective. Acceptance in to the College does not guarantee admission into the Nursing program. There are specific entry-requirements you must meet to be accepted. For a list of those requirements, nursing application and admission cycle, please visit the Health Careers webpage or email us at start@hacc.edu.
The Associate Degree Registered Nursing Program at Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC, Central Pennsylvania's Community College), located at One HACC Drive, Harrisburg, PA 17110-2999, is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta GA 30326 (Phone: 404-975-5000), www.acenursing.org
Yes! Conveniently YOURS, our degree programs are designed to be flexible enough to transfer to a wide variety of four-year colleges and universities with no loss of credit. However, each individual college has its own unique program. We encourage you to select a four-year school as soon as possible. This will allow you to learn the transfer college’s program requirements so that you can take the proper classes at HACC.
It is important to note that the current trend in nursing is to mandate that all nurses obtain a Bachelor’s of Science in nursing (BSN). At HACC, you will complete your basic education, obtain your licensure and be able to find employment so that you can work while continuing to pursue your education.
Our various transfer options for you are:
Central Penn College: | RN to BSN (pdf) |
Eastern Mennonite University (Lancaster): | RN to BSN (pdf) |
Grand Canyon University: | Nursing to BSN Concurrent Enrollment (Fall Start) (pdf) |
Grand Canyon University: | Nursing to MSN Concurrent Enrollment (Fall Start) (pdf) |
Grand Canyon University: | Nursing to MSN Concurrent Enrollment (Spring Start) (pdf) |
Grand Canyon University: | Nursing to BSN Concurrent Enrollment (Spring Start) (pdf) |
Messiah University: | Associate Degree in Nursing to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (pdf) |
Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences: | RN to BSN (pdf) |
Thomas Jefferson University: | FACT-1 Year and FACT-2 Year Programs Prerequisite Guide (Center City and Dixon Campuses) (pdf) |
Thomas Jefferson University: | Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences & Biotechnology Prerequisite Checklist—BS and MS Programs (pdf) |
Thomas Jefferson University: | Traditional BSN Program Prerequisite Guide Center City and Dixon Campuses (pdf) |
Villanova University: | RN to BSN Program Information (pdf) |
York College of Pennsylvania: | RN to BSN (pdf) |
You can complete the entire program at our Gettysburg, Harrisburg, Lancaster, and York campuses.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, please visit this webpage to review the most up-to-date details about how courses are being offered.
Yes! HACC has approximately 200 scholarships available through the HACC Foundation. Before you submit your application, we encourage you to learn the guidelines and steps to follow.
You can enroll in HACC classes for the spring, summer and fall, and you can apply online anytime! When you submit your application, you must include the unique program code 3456 to ensure you are applying to the correct program.
Clinical application is a separate process. Find information on applying for clinicals here.
Please remember that the program is selective. Acceptance in to the College does not guarantee admission in to the Nursing program. There are specific requirements you must meet to be accepted. For the specific requirements, nursing application and admission cycle, please visit the Health Careers Nursing webpage or please contact an Admissions Counselor, by phone at 800-ABC-HACC, or by email at start@hacc.edu.
Compassionately YOURS, we want to help you succeed in your studies and to be your education partner. Please contact an Admissions Counselor, by phone at 800-ABC-HACC, or by email at start@hacc.edu.
“I have always wanted to go to college and HACC was a right fit for me.”