Whether you imagine yourself as a nurse in a traditional patient care setting like a hospital, in the home, a medical office, community clinic, or school; or you see yourself conducting research, working with computers, or being a nurse anesthetist, nurse practitioner, or nurse educator-- opportunities are abound in the field of nursing. Of course, some of the fields mentioned above require specialized education and training at the master's or Ph.D. level. But, the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program prepares you initially for a wide range of possible career paths and acts as a springboard for later specialization, should you so desire it. At the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, all three levels of study are available: the BSN, the MSN, and PhD in Nursing. Here is some more detailed information about the BSN program. Size The School of Nursing enrolls over 500 students within the University's overall undergraduate student body of about 16,000 full-time students. So, nursing students enjoy access to the wide variety of resources available at a major university, such as support services, student activities, and outstanding facilities, while benefiting from the close personal and professional associations made possible by being part of a small incoming class of about 100 freshmen and 20 transfer students. UPMC Heath System The School of Nursing is associated with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Health System, an internationally renowned medical center which includes six schools of the health professions and six major teaching hospitals on the University's 132 acre campus. Students benefit from this association with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, where research and medical innovation are ongoing. For example, UPMC is one of the leading organ transplant centers in the world-a transplant operation is done every 16 hours. Western Psychiatric Institute is one of the leading centers in the world for the diagnosis and treatment of mood disorders. Of all medical schools in the country, Pitt has the largest increase in percentage share of research dollars awarded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) over the past decade, and is one of the only three schools to house a human simulation lab. These are just a few examples of what makes the University a great place to study the health professions. Students also benefit from proximity to more than 50 additional community hospitals and health care agencies used for clinical experiences. Accreditation The School of Nursing is accredited by the Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and has full approval by the State Board of Licensing. Clinical Focus and Licensing Pitt nursing students begin their clinical studies at the sophomore level, after a year of freshman studies focusing on the sciences and theories related to understanding nursing practice. At the sophomore level, clinical study centers on health promotion and risk factor identification, basic nursing skills, and physical assessment and nursing care of the adult. Juniors focus on the care of individuals and families of all ages who are experiencing the stress of illness, and seniors synthesize knowledge gained in prior years, focus on individuals, families, and communities, and provide care to those with more complex illnesses and problems. Students who graduate with the BSN degree are eligible to take state licensing examinations which qualify them to practice nursing as registered nurses (RNs). Location University of Pittsburgh students benefit from the University's location in the city of Pittsburgh, which has a reputation as a very livable city. In Pittsburgh, students have access to all the benefits of a major city--ballet, opera, museums, shopping, and professional sports--along with free and easy access to city transportation.