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UPMC has three diploma schools of nursing and also is affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing.
Visit our Educational Opportunities page for more information.
Opportunities for formal and informal education are woven throughout the daily life of a UPMC nurse.
For current registered nurses who would like to obtain a degree or advanced degrees, Pittsburgh offers a variety of local options and online options. Some of these schools, with which we have formed partnerships, offer classes on our hospitals campuses.
Staff should have a broad, long term career plan before selecting an educational program and institution. Requirements for both undergraduate and graduate programs vary by institution and consequently your program choice may influence your future educational options. For example, not all RN to BSN programs fulfill the undergraduate requirements to enter an MSN program. Additionally, requirements to enter graduate specialty education will vary further by the specialty, and educational institutions vary in the types of specialty education offered. When evaluating an advanced degree program it is advisable to discuss credit transfer options with an admissions counselor. Ultimately, the educational requirements for a desired career/position will vary by the type of position and institution of employment.
Effective October 2009, Pennsylvania requires 30 continuing education (CE) credits per two-year renewal cycle for license renewal. UPMC offers many CE opportunities at the hospital and business unit levels.
One of the ways UPMC nurses earn CE credits is through our system Nursing Grand Rounds. The UPMC Center for Nursing Excellence and Innovation hosts monthly Nursing Grand Rounds, which present topics ranging from clinical knowledge to professional development. Our nurses may attend the live presentation, view it live from a work computer, or view the archived presentation at a later date.
Compared to the initial RN licensure that assures basic competence at the entry level into nursing practice, certification signifies attainment of specific criteria and knowledge, skills, and abilities in a specific nursing specialty.
UPMC acknowledges the importance of this specialized ongoing education and has built certification requirements into its clinical pathway, rewarding those who seek this additional knowledge. In keeping with that spirit, UPMC reimburses the costs for approved certifications.
