Nursing, R.N., A.A.S.
A Respected Path Into Professional Nursing
The Registered Nursing (R.N.) program at BC3 prepares you to provide compassionate, evidence-based care to individuals, families, and communities. This two-year program combines classroom theory, hands-on labs, and clinical experience, giving you the knowledge and practical skills to begin a rewarding nursing career.
Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN licensing examination and enter roles in hospitals, long-term care facilities, home health care, and outpatient centers.
Note: This program meets licensing requirements in the State of Pennsylvania. If you intend to work in another state, additional requirements may apply.
Nursing Program Accreditation
The associate degree Nursing, R.N. program at Butler County Community College at the
Main Campus located in Butler, PA and the associate degree Nursing, R.N. program at
BC3 @ Brockway instructional site in Brockway, PA is accredited by the: Accreditation
Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta,
GA 30326, (404) 975-5000, www.acenursing.org.
The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN board of Commissioners for
the associate degree Nursing, R.N. program is continuing accreditation.
What You’ll Learn
- Apply the nursing process to provide safe, effective, patient-centered care
- Integrate critical thinking and clinical judgment in decision-making
- Collaborate with the healthcare team to support holistic health outcomes
- Administer medications and manage pharmacological interventions safely
- Prepare for licensure with strong performance on the HESI Exit Exam and NCLEX-RN
Program Overview
This program requires 70 credits, including nursing theory, pharmacology, anatomy & physiology, microbiology, general education, and clinical coursework.
Nursing courses build progressively over four semesters, each including an intensive
pharmacology component.
Clinical experiences take place in a variety of community-based and hospital settings.
Where This Degree Can Take You
This program opens the door to a broad range of entry-level nursing positions—and a pathway to more advanced degrees like the BSN.
With licensure, you can pursue roles such as:
- Registered Nurse (RN)
- Acute Care Nurse
- Long-Term Care Nurse
- Home Health Nurse
- School Nurse
Graduates are prepared to work in:
- Hospitals and emergency departments
- Skilled nursing and rehabilitation facilities
- Home health agencies
- Community and public health organizations
- Prepares you for the NCLEX-RN exam (Registered Nurse licensure)
- Graduates are expected to pass on the first attempt within 6 months
- Curriculum includes performance benchmarks like the HESI Exit Exam
Apply to BC3 Today
Start Your Journey as a Pioneer
Hear From Our Pioneers
I wanted to go to a school that had up-to-date technology and resources for us to use that were similar to what you would see in a hospital or clinical setting. BC3 is top tier.
Courtney Adamosky - Registered Nursing