Since its creation in 1964, the Penn State School of Nursing has grown to become a nationally respected program. In 2008, the school became an independent academic unit, which provided the school with greater visibility and elevated its status with respect to its peer nursing programs at other universities. Today, the school prepares more students each year for careers in nursing than any other program in Pennsylvania. The school offers associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs to more than 1,500 students annually at 13 Penn State campuses. In addition, the school offers certification and training online, which allows the school to extend its offerings to students throughout Pennsylvania and improve the health and well-being of all citizens within the Commonwealth. The master's program includes clinical nurse specialist and nurse practitioner options that help to prepare graduates for advanced clinical practice. The doctoral program, started in 1996, is an interdisciplinary curriculum designed to develop clinical scholars, faculty, and researchers who can teach and provide leadership through scientific inquiry and innovative practice. Faculty in the school conduct cutting-edge research that focuses on reducing the impact of chronic illness across the life span. The school places a strong emphasis on gerontological research; in 2007, the school was selected as one of nine nationwide to host a John A. Hartford Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence to promote the education of high-quality geriatric nursing leaders.
