Preprofessional Nursing offers pros, cons for students

Arguably the most preprofessional of Penn's undergraduate schools, the School of Nursing offers a very specific curriculum.

While some applaud this focus, others join the school only to find it too constraining.

According to administrators, one of the most desirable aspects of Penn Nursing is that students are not limited in their academic ventures just because they are at a specialized school.

"Nursing is not limited as a career or educationally," said Carol Ladden, the director of enrollment management at the Nursing School.

Penn Nursing does not release the statistics on transfer students from the Nursing School into other areas of the University, but the number of students who transfer yearly is far from high, according to officials.

Ladden said that most students stay in Nursing because they applied already understanding the specialized nature of the school and having a general idea of what careers they want.

However, some students do feel limited when they decide that their interests have shifted and that nursing is no longer a priority.

Anna-Lisa Gradassi, now a sophomore in the College, entered Penn Nursing last year, only to discover that she felt misplaced.

"I decided I wanted to do pre-med instead," Gradassi said as one of her reasons for transferring to the College. Despite being able to complete the pre-med requirements while in the Nursing School, Gradassi said, "I would have [had] to stay an extra year, which is not financially feasible for me."

Another Nursing student, who did not want his name published, is considering leaving Nursing because of the school's heavy workload and many requirements.

"It is very laborious getting that degree," the student said, adding that the small school no longer suited his interests.

Penn Nursing does provide its students with the academic freedom to pursue interests outside of Nursing and in other disciplines. Students can take liberal arts courses, and the Nursing School offers minors.

Ladden feels that Nursing is now viewed more positively by people interested and already part of the field. She also stressed that students can specialize in different areas of nursing and should not feel limited by what careers they can have with a nursing degree.

"The point to get across is that you do need to fulfill your requirements [for the degree] but students have the flexibility to meet all the requirements and either complete a dual degree or minor," Ladden said.

"I love the Nursing School and would never switch out. I am very, very excited to be in Nursing," said Wendy Berg, a freshman in the Nursing School who is here for her bachelor's of science in nursing. "The [faculty] are extremely helpful and everyone is kind and willing to help in whatever way."

Despite the belief that Nursing may be isolated from the rest of Penn and that people may be inclined to switch out, Berg said, "I found a couple of students in my [Nursing] classes who are not in Nursing and other students who are switching into the Nursing School."

The relatively small size of the Nursing School also seems to help create a close-knit atmosphere among its students. "I think for the most part, as the four years go on, we will become closer as a class because we have so many classes together," Berg said.

"I think people are so attracted to us as a program because Penn gives them the option to pursue other passions" unlike most other Nursing programs, Ladden said.

Please note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.