Gwynedd Mercy University Nursing: Programs, NCLEX & Requirements (2026)
The Frances M. Maguire School of Nursing and Health Professions on GMercyU’s Gwynedd Valley campus offers multiple pre-licensure BSN tracks, a Direct Entry MSN, online MSN Nurse Educator and DNP programs, and extensive Philadelphia-metro clinical partnerships. NCLEX figures below come from the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing annual spreadsheet; tuition from GMercyU’s published 2026–2027 schedules—confirm every requirement with gmercyu.edu and the Board.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
GMercyU is investing in the new Frances M. Maguire Healthcare Innovation Center and highlights 100+ regional healthcare partners for clinical education. For career changers, the ABSN packs 67 nursing credits into about 16 months, while the DEMSN adds an MSN alongside RN licensure in a hybrid format—making this a strong option if you want Mercy-tradition nursing education between Philadelphia and Montgomery County.
Overview & Why Students Choose Gwynedd Mercy University
Gwynedd Mercy University is a private Catholic university in Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania, between Philadelphia and the Lehigh Valley. Its Frances M. Maguire School of Nursing and Health Professions markets decades-long nursing education and Mercy-tradition values, with programs that span traditional and accelerated pre-licensure BSN routes, a Direct Entry MSN for career changers, and online graduate options including a CCNE-accredited DNP.
Whether you are a recent high school graduate, a transfer student, or a second-degree applicant, GMercyU’s catalog separates four-year/three-year BSN choices from ABSN and weekend/part-time BSN pathways—each with different pricing on the tuition pages. Always match your background to the correct pathway before comparing costs or timelines.
According to Pennsylvania’s 2024–2025 RN NCLEX five-year spreadsheet, the row Gwynedd-Mercy College BSN lists 256 of 315 first-time testers passing (81.27%) in the Oct 1, 2024–Sep 30, 2025 column (leftmost data column). Older columns show higher percentages for different cohorts—open the PDF rather than relying on a single cell.
Reasons students choose GMercyU Nursing
Regional clinical volume
GMercyU’s accelerated nursing pages cite 100+ regional partners and emphasize hands-on rotations across the Philadelphia metropolitan area.
Multiple entry speeds
Concurrent traditional, three-year, 16-month ABSN, and weekend/part-time BSN designs let applicants pick intensity that fits work and family obligations.
DEMSN for master’s-bound career changers
The 20-month hybrid DEMSN awards an MSN while meeting pre-licensure clinical requirements—distinct from the BSN-only ABSN.
Simulation & innovation facilities
Campus maps highlight the Healthcare Innovation Center and simulation-supported learning referenced in university news.
Online MSN Nurse Educator + DNP ladder
Post-RN students can progress to an online MSN Nurse Educator track or a 39-credit DNP without relocating.
Nursing Programs Offered
The following list mirrors GMercyU’s Majors & Programs nursing table and graduate nursing pages as of this review. GMercyU also publishes online nursing prerequisite courses for applicants who need sciences before entering ABSN or DEMSN—those are prerequisites, not stand-alone nursing degrees.
Pre-licensure (undergraduate BSN)
Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Standard four-year BSN for first-degree students and transfers; nursing tuition band $43,528/year plus comprehensive fee on the 2026–27 schedule.
Three-Year BSN
Faster BSN completion option for eligible students per GMercyU’s catalog listing.
Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN)
Second-degree pathway (~16 months, 67 nursing credits) on the Gwynedd Valley campus; marketing cites three annual starts. Tuition $732/credit on the 2026–27 accelerated nursing table plus semester comprehensive fees.
Weekend / Part-Time BSN (second degree)
Part-time second-degree BSN for working adults; published per-credit rate $775 (2026–27 weekend BSN block) plus fees.
Graduate nursing
Direct Entry Master of Science in Nursing (DEMSN)
For non-nursing bachelor’s graduates; hybrid delivery with on-campus intensives noted in program marketing. Tuition $830/credit on the 2026–27 DEMSN grid plus clinical compliance and ATI fees.
MSN — Nurse Educator
Online MSN concentration for RNs advancing into faculty roles; $1,010/credit on the 2026–27 graduate nursing row.
Post-Master’s Certificate in Nursing Education
Listed on graduate tuition pages; confirm current per-credit rate where GMercyU marks TBD.
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
39-credit online DNP with practicum hours for master’s-prepared APRNs; CCNE accreditation statement on the program page.
GMercyU’s public program finder centers on pre-licensure BSN variants plus graduate nursing; it does not list a dedicated RN-to-BSN completion program in the same nursing table. If you are already an RN seeking a bachelor’s completion, confirm whether another GMercyU track meets your needs.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
Pennsylvania publishes aggregated first-time NCLEX-RN outcomes for each approved pre-licensure program. In the Board’s downloadable RN five-year spreadsheet (linked from the nursing education hub), programs still appear under the historic label “Gwynedd-Mercy College.”
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| BSN — Oct 2024–Sep 2025 column | 315 tested, 256 passed — 81.27% (row “Gwynedd-Mercy College BSN”) |
| BSN — prior column (example) | 207 tested, 189 passed — 91.30% (next column in same workbook row) |
| DEMSN — Oct 2024–Sep 2025 column | N/A in leftmost column; next column 90.00% (9/10)—confirm headings in PDF |
| Source | PA DOS — 2024–2025 RN NCLEX five-year spreadsheet (PDF) · Nursing education programs hub. Confirm current cohorts with the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing and GMercyU. |
NCLEX outcomes change by cohort and program. Five-year spreadsheets contain multiple annual columns—always open the latest PDF from the Board and match the program name to your pathway (BSN vs DEMSN).
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
Requirements for international students and internationally educated nurses vary by institution and state. Use the points below as a checklist; verify everything with Gwynedd Mercy University and the Pennsylvania Board of Nursing.
- English-language proficiency: TOEFL, IELTS, or other requirements and minimum scores for this school.
- Transcript / credential evaluation: WES, CGFNS, or other evaluators required by the school.
- Pennsylvania Board of Nursing: For RN licensure (with or without a U.S. degree), confirm NCLEX eligibility and document requirements with the Board.
- Immigration & visa: Program eligibility for F-1 or other visa types and impact on clinical placements.
Policies change frequently. Verify with Gwynedd Mercy University’s international office and the Pennsylvania Board of Nursing.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
GMercyU nursing pathways use different admissions offices: traditional undergraduate applicants work with main-campus admissions, while ABSN, Weekend BSN, and DEMSN applicants typically coordinate through the accelerated nursing recruitment team (phone and email listed on those microsites). Nursing is clinically intensive—expect prerequisite science rigor, compliance screening, documented health requirements, and possible entrance diagnostics tied to ATI resources.
Application timeline (ABSN illustrative)
| Entry Term | Start date (GMercyU marketing) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | January 12, 2026 | Three annual ABSN cohorts; verify future years on accelerated.gmercyu.edu. |
| Summer | May 11, 2026 | Confirm deposit and document deadlines with enrollment. |
| Fall | August 24, 2026 | Prerequisite sciences must meet GPA windows stated on the ABSN page (e.g., C+ or better in sciences, recency limits). |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing-specific) | Not publicly disclosed |
| Minimum GPA (ABSN example) | 3.0 cumulative bachelor’s GPA stated on accelerated program page; other tracks may differ. |
| TEAS / HESI | Not stated on the ABSN overview cited here; tuition pages reference ATI / ExamSoft assessments embedded in courses—confirm whether a standalone entrance exam is required for your term. |
| Compliance | Criminal background, drug screening, immunizations, CPR, liability insurance, and HIPAA training are standard once admitted (per ABSN checklist). |
Honest tips
If you pursue ABSN, finish most sciences before the file review date—the program notes that at least four science prerequisites should be complete before an admissions decision. DEMSN applicants should budget time for hybrid intensives even though much coursework is online. For every pathway, screenshot the catalog requirement page you relied on; nursing program technical standards change frequently.
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
GMercyU publishes 2026–2027 rates effective August 15, 2026. Nursing students also pay ATI, ExamSoft, Hurst Review, nursing kit, compliance-vendor, and (where applicable) partnership-deposit fees—see each program’s accordion on the tuition pages.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Traditional / standard nursing undergraduate (12–18 cr / year) | $43,528 tuition + $1,450 comprehensive fee; part-time $909/credit + $33/credit comprehensive |
| ABSN (second-degree entry) | $732/credit nursing courses; prerequisite credits $396/credit; semester comprehensive fee $725 (12–18 credits) per published table |
| Weekend / part-time second-degree BSN | $775/credit weekend BSN row; prerequisites $396/credit |
| DEMSN | $830/credit + semester comprehensive $725 (12–18 credits) + acceptance deposit $500 |
| MSN Nurse Educator | $1,010/credit + $33/credit comprehensive + per-semester nursing technology fees |
| Housing & aid context | GMercyU states 100% of full-time undergraduates receive some financial aid (excluding second-degree students per footnote); confirm net price with the financial aid office. |
| Sources | Undergraduate Tuition & Fees · Graduate Tuition & Fees · ABSN cost snapshot |
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
Outcome reporting splits among the Pennsylvania Board (NCLEX), GMercyU consumer disclosures, and career-outcomes surveys. Treat marketing-page percentages as snapshots until you verify cohort years.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time (BSN, PA DOS) | 81.27% (256/315) Oct 2024–Sep 2025 column—see NCLEX section |
| NCLEX-RN (DEMSN, PA DOS) | N/A in leftmost column; next column 90.00% (9/10)—see NCLEX section |
| University communications | A December 2023 GMercyU news article cited a 91.39% first-time BSN pass rate surpassing Pennsylvania and national averages as stated in that article—use for historical context and confirm against Board data. |
| Employment / salary | Not broken out for nursing on this page; the Career Development office publishes institution-wide outcomes PDFs on the Student Achievement hub. ABSN marketing cites BLS Registered Nurse median wage data for general labor-market context—not a GMercyU graduate salary guarantee. |
Is Gwynedd Mercy University the Right Fit for You?
GMercyU Nursing fits students who value a suburban Catholic university with direct access to major Philadelphia clinical markets and who are ready for structured compliance, ATI-supported assessment, and rapid sequencing in accelerated tracks.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Want multiple BSN speeds (traditional, three-year, ABSN, weekend) within one institution.
- Are second-degree applicants aiming for a 16-month ABSN or a DEMSN with master’s coursework.
- Prefer Mercy-tradition nursing education with new simulation/infrastructure investments on campus.
- Plan to stay in Southeastern PA / NJ for clinical rotations tied to regional health systems.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Need the lowest possible tuition (private nursing tuition is higher than many public options).
- Require a fully online pre-licensure program (GMercyU’s ABSN/DEMSN still require substantial on-campus presence).
- Are seeking an RN-to-BSN completion-only pathway not expressly listed in GMercyU’s nursing finder.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Gwynedd Valley sits in Montgomery County, with straightforward access to Philadelphia’s academic medical centers and large community-hospital networks. GMercyU openly markets 100+ regional clinical affiliates; your assigned sites rotate by term and program. Always treat public examples (below) as illustrations of the regional depth—not a guarantee of placement.
| Region / System | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Philadelphia academic corridor | Teaching hospitals and Level I trauma centers in Philadelphia provide high-acuity learning opportunities within an hour of campus (traffic dependent). |
| Montgomery & Bucks County networks | Community hospitals, specialty institutes, and ambulatory centers near Routes 309/476 support med-surg, pediatrics, behavioral health, and chronic-care experiences. |
| Suburban community health | Rotation variety often includes faith-founded systems that align with GMercyU’s service-oriented mission. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
The main campus spans 145 acres in Gwynedd Valley; admissions visitors are directed past the Frances M. Maguire Healthcare Innovation Center toward the Admissions House—highlighting how prominently nursing facilities feature in the campus tour. Nursing students typically engage with high-fidelity simulation, skills labs, and interdisciplinary experiences alongside other health professions housed at GMercyU. Student life blends NCAA Division III athletics, campus ministry rooted in Mercy values, and proximity to Philadelphia internships.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Campus location
- Gwynedd Valley, PA
- Address
- 1325 Sumneytown Pike, Gwynedd Valley, PA 19437, US
- Main office
- +1-215-646-7300
- Undergraduate admissions
- +1-800-342-5462 or +1-215-641-5510
- Contact email
- accelerate@gmercyu.edu
- Website
- gmercyu.edu
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Visit the official Gwynedd Mercy University nursing website and download the current program brochure or student handbook if available.
- Review the prerequisite course list in the school catalog and compare it to your transcripts.
- If required, register for the TEAS, HESI, or other entrance exam. Confirm on the admissions page which test and minimum scores apply for your target semester.
- Draft a list of questions for an admissions counselor or the nursing program advising office.
- Reach out to current nursing students or alumni (e.g. via LinkedIn) to ask about clinical experiences and satisfaction.
- Begin outlining your personal statement (graduate programs) or prepare interview talking points (pre-licensure applicants).
- Check the application deadline for your target term and set reminders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Gwynedd Mercy University offer both ABSN and DEMSN?
Yes. GMercyU lists a campus-based ABSN (second-degree BSN, about 16 months) separately from the Direct Entry MSN, which awards an MSN while preparing non-nursing bachelor’s graduates for RN licensure. Compare prerequisites, tuition bands, and hybrid intensity before choosing.
What is the NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate for GMercyU’s BSN?
Pennsylvania’s 2024–2025 RN NCLEX spreadsheet lists Gwynedd-Mercy College BSN at 81.27% first-time (256 of 315) for Oct 1, 2024–Sep 30, 2025 (leftmost data column). Older columns show different cohorts—open the PDF. Confirm with the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing and GMercyU.
How is DEMSN NCLEX data reported?
On the same PDF, the DEMSN row shows N/A in the leftmost column and 90.00% (9 of 10) in the next column—small denominators shift quickly. Compare multiple years and confirm with the Board.
What tuition rate applies to Gwynedd Mercy nursing undergraduates in 2026–27?
GMercyU’s undergraduate tuition page lists $43,528 per year for nursing undergraduate tuition at a 12–18 credit load plus a $1,450 comprehensive fee (2026–27). ABSN and weekend BSN use different per-credit rows—open the ABSN and “Weekend BSN” accordions.
Does GMercyU publish an RN-to-BSN online completion program?
GMercyU’s primary nursing finder emphasizes pre-licensure BSN options plus graduate nursing. A dedicated RN-to-BSN completion program is not listed in the same nursing table—verify directly if you already hold RN licensure.
What GPA does the Gwynedd Mercy ABSN expect?
The accelerated BSN page states a 3.0 cumulative GPA on the prior bachelor’s and science prerequisites at C+ or better with recency rules—confirm updates on accelerated.gmercyu.edu.
Are clinical rotations only in Montgomery County?
No. Marketing cites 100+ regional partners and Philadelphia-metro access. Actual placements vary by cohort; GMercyU assigns sites—do not assume a single hospital.
Who can I call about accelerated nursing at Gwynedd Mercy?
Main campus switchboard: 215-646-7300. Accelerated pages also list dedicated enrollment lines such as 877-499-6333 plus accelerate@gmercyu.edu for those pathways.
Where are GMercyU nursing programs accredited?
GMercyU states CCNE accreditation for its nursing programs on public pages (ABSN, DNP). Confirm each program’s status with CCNE and the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing.
References
- Gwynedd Mercy University Nursing / program pagegmercyu.edu nursing school page
- Pennsylvania Board of Nursing — pass rates / licensurePA State Board of Nursing — NCLEX reports
- National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)ncsbn.org
- Pennsylvania DOS — RN NCLEX five-year spreadsheet (PDF)2024–2025 RN NCLEX 5-year spreadsheet
- GMercyU — Accelerated BSN programaccelerated.gmercyu.edu/ABSN
- GMercyU — Majors & Programs (nursing table)gmercyu.edu/academics/programs
- GMercyU News — NCLEX outcomes (Dec. 2023)NCLEX rates article
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Registered Nursesbls.gov/ooh
Editorial Standards & Review
About the author: Francesco Di Siena, RN, writes evidence-based nursing education guides for NurseOnShift.
Review: This page was reviewed by Araceli Collado, RN, for program-list alignment with GMercyU’s published majors table, tuition-table figures (2026–27), and Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing NCLEX spreadsheets.
Disclaimer: This page is for general reference only. It does not constitute professional, admissions, or financial advice. Requirements, deadlines, tuition, and policies change; always verify with the institution and the Pennsylvania Board of Nursing.
Published: 2026-03-31 · Last reviewed: March 31, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy