At Duquesne University School of Nursing, you'll prepare for the challenges of nursing
today through an academic program that helps compassionate, motivated people like
you to become the best nurse possible.
Holistic Nursing
As a Duquesne nursing student, you’ll learn to consider the physical, mental, cultural,
emotional and spiritual aspects of a patient’s needs and treatment.
A national leader in holistic nursing, Duquesne is one of just 17 schools in the country
to have earned an endorsement from the American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation
(AHNCC). The core values of holistic nursing are embedded at each level of the nursing
curriculum and in a holistic nursing course.
Clinical Immersion
Our clinical immersion experience will set you apart from other applicants when you
enter the job market. It’s an opportunity to take the knowledge you will gain in the
classroom with hands-on experience in a real-world setting.
You will begin your clinical immersion in either the spring semester of your junior
year or fall semester of your senior year as part of the Clinical Immersion in Professional
Nursing course.
Working under the supervision of a professional registered nurse, you will carry out
patient care assignments, work in controlled care situations and perform established
nursing procedures for individuals or groups of patients. You will also participate
in unit-specific leadership and quality/safety activities.
Healthcare in Pittsburgh
You’ll find Pittsburgh to be a hub for medical research and innovation offering access
to world-class healthcare facilities. Engaging in diverse clinical experiences, specialized
clinics, and innovative research centers. The city’s medical community provides a
great resource-rich setting that empowers you to make a meaningful impact in healthcare.
Our traditional four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing combines classroom learning,
high-fidelity simulation and diverse clinical rotations so you graduate ready to sit
for the NCLEX and begin practice as a confident, compassionate nurse.
Already hold a Bachelor's degree? The accelerated Second Degree BSN (12- or 16-month
options) gives career-changers an intensive, on-campus pathway to earn a BSN with
focused clinical training and strong faculty mentorship to launch your nursing career.
Already hold a Bachelor's degree? The accelerated Second Degree BSN (12- or 16-month
options) gives career-changers an intensive, on-campus pathway to earn a BSN with
focused clinical training and strong faculty mentorship to launch your nursing career.
Tuition is reviewed and adjusted each year. In addition to tuition, students may also
incur technology and clinical fees. The University reserves the right to change tuition
and fee charges if circumstances require such action.
Tuition is reviewed and adjusted each year. In addition to tuition, students may also
incur technology and clinical fees. The University reserves the right to change tuition
and fee charges if circumstances require such action.
Tuition is reviewed and adjusted each year. In addition to tuition, students may also
incur technology and clinical fees. The University reserves the right to change tuition
and fee charges if circumstances require such action.
Study Abroad Opportunities
At Duquesne, all levels of the nursing curriculum incorporate a global perspective.
The University offers a wide range ofstudy abroad opportunities, which last for one week, a summer or an entire semester.
The School of Nursing also provides a number of opportunities for students to learn
more about other cultures, experience nursing outside of the United States, and make
a difference in global health care systems. For example, undergraduate students can
serve vulnerable populations in Rototan, Midwifery in Dublin and Nursing in Rome!
Our Maymester sessions in Rome are offered every other year, providing a unique short-term
study abroad experience.
The Duquesne University Maymester Nursing Rome Program gives nursing students the
opportunity to have a rich study abroad experience and stay on track with your nursing
studies. Rome is one of the great cities of the world and May and June are beautiful
months in Rome: the weather is not yet too hot, but it is warm and life in the piazzas
is in full swing.
Dublin Summer Abroad
You will develop a portfolio of research evidence and attend two mentor-led group
sessions in areas such as clinical audit, methodology, clinical research centers,
systematic reviews and clinical trials.
Do not pass up this unique opportunity to gain an international perspective while
living in vibrant Dublin, Ireland this summer!
Roatan Spring Break
This inter-professional pharmacy and nursing course provides students with the opportunity
to study and experience the healthcare system, culture, and society of a chain of
island off the coast of Honduras. Students will analyze the unique complexity and
challenges of healthcare within a global context through the lens of a Central American
Country culture and perception of health and wellness.
Full Semester Options Available
Nursing students can choose to spend a full semester in Rome or Dublin during either
the Spring or Fall term. We highly recommend the Fall semester, as it offers the greatest
flexibility within our curriculum.
Important Resources
Ready to take the next step? Take a look at these important resources to plan and
prepare for your Undergraduate degree.
Applications are accepted any time prior to the deadline. You can view semester start
dates on the University's Academic Calendar.
Traditional BSN Program
Regular Decision Freshman: You must deposit by May 1 to secure your spot in Nursing
Transfer Student for Spring 2026 Semester: Apply by October 15, 2025
Transfer Student for Fall 2026 Semester: Apply by May 1, 2026
Second Degree BSN Program
Fall start only: Apply by Apply by June 1, 2026
BME/BSN Program
Students interested in the BME/BSN program must apply first to the BME program. If
accepted and enrolled in BME, students can then declare the BME/BSN dual major in
the second semester of their sophomore year: Apply by December 1, 2025
Duquesne's Financial Aid office recommends applying for all scholarships, grants and Federal Loans before resorting
to Private Education Loans. After pursuing all Federal Loans, you can research a Historical
List of Private Education Loans that Duquesne students have used.
Duquesne has partnered with Nursing Scholars programs offered by several health systems
for BSN and Nursing Anesthesia students. These programs allow you the opportunity
to achieve your educational and career goals while reducing or eliminating student
loan debt, including student loan debt acquired prior to attending Duquesne.
Through these programs, you may receive up to $65,000 through Guthrie Nursing Scholars,
up to $40,000 through Penn Medicine Nursing Scholars, Temple Health Nursing Scholars
and Penn Highland Nursing Scholars, and up to $37,500 through WellSpan Nursing Scholars.
After graduation, if selected, you will transition into a full-time nursing role within
your approved health system with an employment commitment of 2-3 years.
You may apply to these programs at any point during the course of your nursing education
whether you’re just beginning or are graduating in the near future. However, you are
encouraged to apply early as spaces are limited.
Start an application or learn more by visiting the links below:
The School of Nursing receives a number of scholarship notifications throughout the
academic year from various local, regional, and national foundations and organizations.
This information is forwarded to all students via email. It is the individual student's
responsibility to apply for each scholarship if interested.
Jewish Scholarship Service of Greater Pittsburgh
The Jewish Scholarship Service of Greater Pittsburgh provides financial support to as many eligible students in our community as possible.
Demonstrated financial need is a primary criterion in evaluating applicants. Financial
information is considered along with other pertinent facts such as family size and
the number of children/siblings in college.
The Pittsburgh Foundation and The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County
The Pittsburgh Foundation and The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County oversee
more than 325 scholarship funds including:
The Nursing Foundation of Pennsylvania, a supporting organization of the Pennsylvania State Nurses Association (PSNA), has
the following scholarships that may be of interest to Duquesne's accepted students:
The School of Nursing has a growing number of endowed scholarships and resource funds
that are available to undergraduate and second degree students each year who have
completed 30 credits in their program of studies. Scholarships are awarded prior to
the start of the academic year. Eligibility criteria vary for each scholarship or
resource fund. Applications are made available to students in May of each year with
a submission deadline of mid-July. Some of the awards are listed below:
Mary Ann Bellisario McQuade, R.N. and James P. McQuade Family Endowed Scholarship
Joan Kip Richardson Dunn Endowed Nursing Scholarship
Margaret Swank Guyaux Endowed Scholarship
Joseph W. Hauser Endowed Scholarship
Herbert Schreiber Endowed Scholarship
Thomas Blaise Leskanic Endowed Scholarship
Ruth C. Maszkiewicz Endowed Scholarship
Ella McGovern Endowed Scholarship
Bethany Hospice/Linda Peterson Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Connie Miller Endowed Scholarship
Adele Petraitis Endowed Scholarship
Nursing Undergraduate Endowed Scholarship
Mildred and Raymond Scannell Endowed Nursing Scholarship
Andrejcio Balinski Endowed Nursing Scholarship
Nursing Alumni Association Endowed Scholarship
Ann Lantzy Glazener Term Scholarship
Lois Marie Wygonik Term Nursing Scholarship
William and Deborah Rieland Family Term Scholarship
Patricia Schlicht Endowed Scholarship
Endowed Resource Funds
Janet Pozzuto Polas Term Resource Fund
Jessica-Marie Tisak Endowed Student Resource Fund
Robert and Veila Vota Endowed Resource Fund
Richard Behan Student Leadership Endowed Resource Fund
Beatrice Marino Endowed Resource Fund
Dr. Shirley Powe Smith Endowed Nursing Resource Fund
Dean Eileen Zungolo Endowed Resource Fund
Mary Ann Bellisario McQuade, R.N. and James P. McQuade Endowed Student Resource Fund
Paul O'Connor Endowed Student Resource Fund
Nursing School Endowed Resource Fund
Additional Scholarships
Several additional scholarships for nursing students are administered by the Office of Financial Aid. These scholarships are need and merit-based and include:
