St. Margaret School of Nursing
Founded in 1910, the School of Nursing offers a 76-week diploma nursing program enabling a graduate to take the NCLEX-RN, the licensure examination to become a registered nurse (RN).
Program Goals
The school provides an educational program that assists its graduates to acquire the competencies needed for the practice of professional nursing. The goals of the program are to:
- fulfill the role and responsibilities of a professional nurse in providing safe and effective care.
- possess the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to assist in meeting the health care needs of the patient, family, and community.
- enhance the quality of professional nursing practice and collaboration with the health care system.
Nursing Courses
The first level of the nursing program consists of three sequential basic nursing courses. Second-level courses involve more complex and interrelated nursing and/or health problems, which affect individuals of all ages. The second level concludes with a nursing issues and management course.
College Courses
Eight college courses are required. These courses must be taken at an accredited college with a passing grade of a "C" or above:
- English Composition
- Introduction to Psychology
- Anatomy and Physiology I with lab
- Anatomy and Physiology II with lab
- Nutrition
- Microbiology with lab
- Introduction to Sociology
- Human Growth and Development
The courses Anatomy and Physiology I with lab, English Composition, and Introduction to Psychology must be taken prior to applying to the nursing program. These are the prerequisites that must be completed prior to entering the program. The other college courses may be taken prior to entry or sequentially during the nursing program. To get more information, visit RN program Catalog/Handbook on the RN webpage or e-mail us at smhsonrninfo@upmc.edu.
Educational Facilities and Resources
UPMC St. Margaret campus:
Clinical practicum experiences take place at UPMC St. Margaret.
UPMC McKeesport campus:
Clinical practicum experiences take place at UPMC McKeesport.
Clinical facilities include, UPMC Presbyterian-Shadyside, Seneca Place, Child's Way, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, and UPMC Passavant. Students are also provided with a variety of experiences in various health and community agencies.
The school of nursing is a commuter school. The Blawnox campus is located 1.8 miles from UPMC St. Margaret. The UPMC McKeesport campus is located on the fourth floor of the Kelly Building on the UPMC McKeesport hospital campus. Each campus has classrooms, conference rooms, a demonstration-learning laboratory, faculty offices, and a computer center.
Accreditation and Approval
St. Margaret School of Nursing is fully approved by the State Board of Nursing of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission Inc. (NLNAC).
National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, Inc.
3343 Peachtree Rd., NE
Suite 850
Atlanta, GA 30326
800-669-1656 ext. 153