The selection of applicants is based on each individual's potential to successfully complete The Western Pennsylvania Hospital School of Nursing's curriculum. 

Each applicant is considered in relation to past personal and educational experiences.

The School is committed to the provision of equal opportunity. The School's facilities are accessible to the handicapped.

Inquiries regarding applications and admission policies should be directed to:

Admissions Office
The Western Pennsylvania Hospital
School of Nursing
4900 Friendship Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15224
Call toll-free: 1-877-33NURSE
E-mail: sonadmissions@wpahs.org

Applications from high school students should be sent during the second semester of the junior year or the first semester of the senior year.

Applications are processed after all requirements for application and a $50 non-refundable fee have been received. In order to hold a place in the incoming class, all required information (application, official transcripts, and references) must be submitted by May 1 of the year of admission. All applications received after that date will be held for consideration as space permits.

Acceptance into the School of Nursing is based on academic, personal and health requirements, as well as availability of class openings.

Applicants should preferably rank in the top two-fifths of their high school graduating class with a preferred cumulative GPA of 2.5.

A General Equivalency Diploma (GED) may be used to meet high school requirements. An algebra course and a chemistry (with laboratory) course must be completed with a "C" or higher grade if not completed before leaving high school.

Scores from the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) of the College Entrance Examination Board must be sent to the School of Nursing.

The Western Pennsylvania Hospital School of Nursing CEEB Code Number is 2983.

 The School prefers:

Applicants who completed a high school GED 5 years or longer before applying to the School must demonstrate successful completion of college courses. Completion of science courses is preferred.

Clarion University requires an SAT/ACT score for applicants who graduated less than 3 years ago and have not attended a college.  For applicants who have attended college, Clarion University requires a cumulative QPA of 2.0 or higher.

Official transcripts of courses taken at any school after high school must be sent to the School of Nursing.

• Must be citizens of the United States or have Permanent Resident status with the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) may be required. A composite score at or above 500 is preferred.
• Must send four personal references from individuals other than relatives to the School of Nursing, preferably from a recent school and/or employment experience.    To speed your application process, please go to the link below and print out at least (4) copies  of the form.  One form is needed for each of at least (4) references.  If you cannot or choose not to print the form from the link below, the School will send you (4) copies of the form upon receipt of your application and fee.
• Must schedule a personal interview with a School representative after all admission information has been received.

Click to download Reference Form

• Must apply, if a Pennsylvania resident, for Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance and Pennsylvania State Criminal History Report.  If residing outside Pennsylvania for more than one (1) year immediately preceding enrollment, must apply for a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Background Check.
• Must obtain professional liability insurance coverage and show validation of current personal healthcare insurance and cardiopulmonary resuscitation certification (including adult, child, infant, and automatic external defibrillator [AED]).
• Need to know that felonious acts may prohibit licensure in Pennsylvania as determined by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing.

• complete physical examination
• eye examination
• complete blood count
• serology (RPR)
• varicella titre (vaccination required for negative titre);
• rubella titre (vaccination required for negative titre)
• rubeola titre (vaccination required for negative titre)
• Mantoux (PPD) tuberculin test
• chest x-ray, only if Mantoux tuberculin test is positive
• urinalysis
• additional diagnostic studies as indicated

On each accepted applicant, a urine screening test for illegal drugs will be performed by the School. Any follow-up testing expense for a positive result will be charged to the applicant. Continuation in the program is contingent upon results of the follow-up testing.

After enrollment, students are encouraged to receive the hepatitis B vaccine series "at cost" through the Hospital Employee Health Services. A declination form must be signed if the student does not wish to receive the vaccine.

Enrollment

• Enrollment is contingent upon successfully meeting academic, personal, and health requirements.

• To confirm enrollment, a $95 non-refundable fee by check or money order must be sent to West Penn School of Nursing within the specified time frame.

A joint application for admission to The Western Pennsylvania Hospital School of Nursing and Clarion University of Pennsylvania must be submitted to the West Penn Hospital School of Nursing.  The application may be requested from the West Penn Hospital School of Nursing (1-877-33NURSE, sonadmissions@wpahs.org) or downloaded in Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) format by clicking on the icon below (if you do not have the free program Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer, please download this program for free from www.adobe.com).

Click to download Application form in PDF format