Second Degree BSN

Pursuing a second degree in nursing can be a life-changing decision towards a rewarding career. By leveraging knowledge and experience from your first degree, our program is a unique opportunity to build upon your existing skillset and experiences. We provide you with a strong clinical foundation beginning in your first week of study. These hands-on learning opportunities take place in our many clinical sites and state-of-the-art Learning and Simulation Center.

By the end of the program, you will be prepared to become a Registered Nurse (RN). Our most recent class scored a 96.67% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-RN licensure exam. 

Attend a virtual information session to learn more about the Second Degree BSN program and your next steps to enrollment.

Applications for Fall 2026 open Aug 1.
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Scholarships

All admitted second degree students receive scholarships.  Scholarships are available up to $30,000.

"The second degree nursing program at Duquesne University is an opportunity for those individuals who want to be a nurse to have an accelerated program to work as that field, and we need nurses. There are an abundant number of opportunities for these individuals to make an impact on our mission of providing excellent care to our patients and families. At UPMC Children’s we love partnering with our friends at Duquesne to provide a pediatric experience for the second degree students should they choose to want pediatrics. We see the success stories and welcome the students commitment to our goals."

Paula Eicker, CNO and VP of Patient Care Services, UPMC Children’s Hospital

Gain Clinical Practice

Under the supervision of expert clinical faculty and nurse preceptors, you will gain clinical experience at hospitals and community facilities throughout the Pittsburgh area. These experiences are a great way to apply knowledge and theory gained in the classroom to your clinical practice.

Already in careers based on their first undergraduate degrees, hear why Jessica and Kelsey changed gears to earn second degrees in nursing.

Program Information

Earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in 12 or 16 months through our accelerated Second Degree BSN program. This onsite nursing program is for those who already have a non-nursing bachelor's degree.

Program Type

Major

Degree

Bachelor's

Academic Department

Undergraduate Programs (Nursing)

Duration

12 or 16 months

Required Credit Hours

67

 

NCLEX Ready

We will help you prepare to be successful on the NCLEX-RN exam, which you are eligible to take after graduation for licensure as a registered nurse (RN). Our graduates who tested in the 2023-2024 cycle achieved a 96.67% NCLEX-RN Exam first-time pass rate.

How Credits are Calculated

Transfer credits from your previous degree - 36 credits
Prerequisites* taken for the Second Degree Program - 25 credits
Credits taken at Duquesne University School of Nursing in the Second Degree Program - 67 credits
Total Credits for the Second Degree Program - 128 credits

*Prerequisites may be completed at any accredited college or university, and online coursework is acceptable. For example, we do accept credit from Portage Learning, which offers all prerequisite courses required for the Second Degree program.

Fall Semester - 22 credits

  • UPNS 119 Contemporary Professional Nursing and Technology (3 credits)
  • UPNS 218/L Health Assessment and Lab (4 credits - 3 theory/1 clinical lab)
  • UPNS 200 Fundamentals of Nursing and Clinical Ethics (6 credits - 4 theory/2 clinical lab)
  • UPNS 326 Pathophysiology for Nursing Practice (3 credits)
  • UPNS 339 Genetics in Nursing and Health (3 credits)
  • UPNS 324 Cultural Applications in Clinical Practice (3 credits)  

Spring Semester - 24 credits

  • UPNS 309 Pharmacology for Nursing Practice (3 credits)
  • UPNS 232 Adult Health and Illness I (6 credits - 4 theory/2 clinical)
  • UPNS 344 Nursing for Children’s Health (3 credits - 2 theory/1 clinical)
  • UPNS 348 Nursing for Maternal-Newborn Health (3 credits - 2 theory/1 clinical)
  • UPNS 355 Behavioral Health (3 credits - 2 theory/1 clinical)
  • UPNS 357 Population Health (3 credits - 2 theory/1 clinical)
  • UPNS 411W Nursing Ethics Across the Lifespan (3 credits)

Summer Semester - 21 credits

  • UPNS 400 Critically Ill Adult (6 credits - 4 theory/2 clinical)
  • UPNS 424 Leadership and Management in Clinical Environments (3 credits)
  • UPNS 453 Transition to Professional Practice (3 credits)
  • UPNS 349 Adult Health and Illness II: Care of the Geriatric Adult (6 credits - 4 theory/2 clinical)
  • UPNS 431 Enhancing Quality and Safety through EBP and Technology (3 credits)

W = Writing Intensive

Revisions to curricula are ongoing.

Fall Semester - 19 credits

  • UPNS 119 Contemporary Professional Nursing and Technology (3 credits)
  • UPNS 218/L Health Assessment and Lab (4 credits - 3 theory/1 clinical lab)
  • UPNS 200 Fundamentals of Nursing and Clinical Ethics (6 credits - 4 theory/2 clinical lab)
  • UPNS 326 Pathophysiology for Nursing Practice (3 credits)
  • UPNS 324 Cultural Applications in Clinical Practice (3 credits)

Spring Semester - 18 credits

  • UPNS 309 Pharmacology for Nursing Practice (3 credits)
  • UPNS 232 Adult Health and Illness I (6 credits - 4 theory/2 clinical)
  • UPNS 344*** Nursing for Children’s Health (3 credits - 2 theory/1 clinical)
  • UPNS 348*** Nursing for Maternal-Newborn Health (3 credits - 2 theory/1 clinical)
  • UPNS 339 Genetics in Nursing and Health (3 credits)

Summer Semester - 12 credits

  • UPNS 431 Enhancing Quality and Safety through EBP and Technology (3 credits)
  • UPNS 424 Leadership and Management in Clinical Environments (3 credits)
  • UPNS 349 Adult Health and Illness II: Care of the Geriatric Adult (6 credits - 4 theory/2 clinical)

Fall Semester - 18 credits

  • UPNS 355*** Behavioral Health (3 credits - 2 theory/1 clinical)
  • UPNS 357*** Population Health (3 credits - 2 theory/1 clinical)
  • UPNS 400 Critically Ill Adult (6 credits - 4 theory/2 clinical)
  •  UPNS 411W Nursing Ethics Across the Lifespan (3 credits)
  • UPNS 453 Transition to Professional Practice (3 credits)

W = Writing Intensive

Revisions to curricula are ongoing.

*** These four Specialty Courses are taken in the spring and fall semesters. Half of the 16-month students will take Nursing for Children’s Health and Nursing for Maternal-Newborn Health in the spring, and Behavioral Health and Population Health in the fall. The other half will take the reverse sequence.