Lancaster General College of Nursing & Health Sciences is a private, co-educational, Middle States-accredited, four-year college offering a variety of associate and baccalaureate degree programs as well as certificate programs in healthcare.  The College is located in Lancaster, Pa., a city of 56,000 situated in the heart of picturesque Lancaster County. A select group of more than 900 students study with faculty who are experts in their specialty areas. Lancaster General College is the educational arm of the Lancaster General Health system. The clinical facilities of the Hospital enrich the learning environment for students. Hands-on learning is the College’s key to developing competent healthcare practitioners. The current state of the College is documented in our Annual Report (see the link on the left side of this page).

On this page you will find introductions to our academic programs, the history of the College, the mission and goals of the College, educational outcomes expected of our graduates, the academic philosophy of the College, links to the accreditations for our programs and for the College, our non-discrimination statement, the location of the College and links to directions and maps, links to College events and a College directory and information about all our facilities, including educational facilities, clinical facilities, the library, the computer learning center and housing.

Our academic programs are introduced on our Academics page (link on the left side of this page) and described in detail on the individual program pages. Our programs include:

• Cardiac Electrophysiology
• Cardiovascular Invasive Specialty
• Clinical Laboratory Science
• Diagnostic Medical Sonography
• Emergency Medical Technician
• General Education
• Health Sciences
• Healthcare Administration (Starts fall 2010)
• Nuclear Medicine Technology
• Nursing
• Paramedic
• Radiography
• Respiratory Care
• Surgical Technology

Links to each of these programs can be found both on the Academics page and directly on the Quick Links at the top of this page.

The administration and faculty of Lancaster General College of Nursing & Health Sciences believe the individual is unique, adaptable and possesses intrinsic worth. Integrity and self-motivation for intellectual growth and character development are valued. This individual evolves within society, shaping and being shaped by culture and heredity. Society is global and dynamic, consisting of individuals, families, groups and communities that coexist in an environment articulated by the symbols of language, thought and history.

Health is a dynamic and holistic process. Health promotion, maintenance and restoration activities influence the individual's present level of wellness. Optimal health reflects the peak functioning of physiological, mental, emotional, sociocultural and spiritual dimensions throughout the lifespan.

Healthcare requires collaboration and competency from all practitioners within a complex spectrum of primary, secondary and tertiary delivery systems. The individual has the right to seek and receive quality, affordable healthcare.

Learning occurs in an interactive atmosphere that encourages and provides opportunities for self-direction and critical thinking. The learning environment is nurturing and promotes the cultivation of global perspectives, self-awareness and intelligent citizenship. Education challenges individuals to adapt to new experiences and clarify life values. The curricula are developed to promote the acquisition of knowledge, skills, and attitudes that enable learners to become professionally competent and socially responsible.

Mission
Lancaster General College of Nursing & Health Sciences creates a dynamic learning environment that ensures an effective health care community by designing, developing and deploying curriculum; educating competent, caring and socially responsible individuals who contribute to the health of the community; and providing continuing learning opportunities for healthcare professionals.

Vision
To ensure quality health care through education, the College will evolve around a scholar practitioner model. The model will foster state-of-the-art clinical education, effective leadership, quality management, continuous innovation and practical research.

Educational Outcomes
Upon completion of the curriculum at Lancaster General College of Nursing & Health Sciences, the graduate will be prepared to:

• Use analytical decision-making skills in all healthcare settings.
• Demonstrate collaboration and competence in the promotion, restoration and maintenance of health.
• Integrate liberal arts, sciences, and professional education to make positive contributions to society.
• Provide culturally sensitive care through respect for cultural differences, values, beliefs and practices.
• Model productive citizenship and civic responsibility.
• Pursue opportunities for lifelong personal and professional development.
• Exhibit conduct consistent with professional values and ethics.

Founded in 1903, the Lancaster General Hospital School of Nursing was established to provide educational advancement for the hospital's nursing staff and to fulfill the needs of the local community with qualified healthcare providers. As Lancaster County grew, so did the school. More than 4,000 nurses have now graduated from this program.

In 1952, Lancaster General Hospital (LGH) renewed its commitment to education and the community by developing Allied Health programs. The first major to be added was Medical Laboratory Science (now known as Clinical Laboratory Sciences). A program in Radiology Technology was added in 1960, followed by Surgical Technology.

As advances were made in healthcare, a need developed for more specialized healthcare practitioners. Since 1982, programs in Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Cardiovascular Invasive Specialty, and Nuclear Medicine have been added.

In 1994, the Lancaster General Hospital School of Nursing and allied health programs combined to form the Lancaster Institute for Health Education. The Pennsylvania Department of Education granted approval for private school licensure.

The Institute petitioned to the Pennsylvania Department of Education in 2001 and was granted approval to form the Lancaster General College of Nursing & Health Sciences. The parent organization of the College remains Lancaster General Hospital. The College now offers associate degrees, diploma and certificate programs.

As of 2006, Lancaster General College of Nursing & Health Sciences is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. The College received approval from the Pennsylvania Department of Education in 2009 to offer baccalaureate education.  See our Accreditation page (link on the left side of this page) for details on this latest chapter in our history.

Throughout its long history as a premier institution of higher education, the College has remained dedicated to its mission of educating competent, caring and socially responsible healthcare practitioners.

Our Accreditation page (link on the left side of this page) contains details about our accreditation by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, as well as a complete list of accreditations for each of our programs. The College operates under the Certificate of Authority from the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Our Degrees Offered page (link on the left side of this page) contains a complete list of degrees, diplomas and certificates offered by the College.  You might also want to view the College Catalog or the Academics page of our website (links on the left side of this page).

The College is located at 410 N. Lime St., Lancaster PA. Please see our Directions and Map page (link on the left side of this page) for detailed directions and a map to the College.

Lancaster General College of Nursing and Health Sciences is located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. With a population of 56,000, Lancaster City has the amenities of a major metropolitan city, but the atmosphere of a small town. Named for Lancashire, England, Lancaster has an appreciation for its past while embracing the future. Lancaster City was the nation's capital for one day in September 1777. It also was home to James Buchanan, the only bachelor President of the United States and the only President from the state of Pennsylvania. The area is rich in cultural activities, including live theater productions and symphony concerts. For the sports enthusiast, Lancaster City is home to a minor league baseball team. The stadium is conveniently located within walking distance of the campus. For those people who enjoy shopping, there are several outlet malls located within minutes of the campus. The towns of Hershey and Gettysburg are both within a short driving distance. New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, D.C. are located within a three-hour drive.

The Lancaster Airport is only minutes from campus; Harrisburg International Airport is less than 30 miles from the College. For those students traveling by train, the train station is located within five minutes of the campus.

Educational Facilities
The Haupt Building houses classrooms, the learning resource center, computer laboratory, student health office and student lounge. The Flory Center provides additional classrooms, laboratories, as well as the new state-of-the-art Clinical Simulation Laboratory. "Smart classrooms" are available to enable faculty to make multimedia and Internet presentations and participate in videoconferencing.

Clinical Facilities
The College firmly believes in the value of quality clinical practice. By reinforcing didactic learning through clinical learning, the College educates competent healthcare practitioners. The low student/faculty ratio permits instruction on an almost one-to-one basis. Students have the opportunity to participate in clinical environments throughout Lancaster, Lebanon and York counties as well as additional counties throughout the state. In addition to hospital experiences, students have the opportunity to work with home health agencies, long-term care facilities, outpatient clinics, schools, industries and community health agencies.

Established in 1893, Lancaster General Hospital, the College's major clinical affiliate, has grown from a one-ward, seven-bed hospital to an ultramodern 590-bed tertiary care and trauma center facility. Ranked by U.S. News and World Report as one of the nation's top 50 hospitals in various specialties, Lancaster General Hospital has earned several Solucient 100 Top Hospital awards and the prestigious ANCC Magnet recognition for nursing.

Lancaster General Health offers a wide range of specialties including cardiology, neonatal intensive care, mental health, pulmonary, orthopedic, urology, oncology, vascular surgery and neurosurgery. Within these specialties, the hospital provides a comprehensive spectrum of patient care services that include wellness, early detection, diagnostics, treatment, rehabilitation and clinical research.

Clinical Simulation Laboratory
For information about the Library, visit the Clinical Simulation Laboratory page (see the link under the Quick Links at the top of this page).

Health Sciences Library
For information about the Library, visit the Health Sciences Library page (see link under the Quick Links at the top of this page).

Content of this Website Disclaimer

This website was prepared on the basis of information that was current at the time of publication. All information, including statements of fees, course offerings, and admission and graduation requirements, is subject to change without notice or obligation. This website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract.

No Smoking Policy
Smoking is prohibited on all College properties.

Drug-free Workplace
The purpose of the College is to provide quality education and quality client care in a safe environment. Students who become impaired in their ability to adequately perform in the classroom or clinical environment due to drugs or alcohol may impede the College from achieving its purpose. Accordingly, student use of alcohol, illegal drugs or misuse of prescription drugs in the classroom and/or clinical laboratory, on or off the College campus, will be cause for appropriate discipline, up to and including immediate suspension or expulsion from the College.

Student Right-to-Know and Jean Clery Act
In accordance with the Student Right-To-Know and Jean Clery Act, the College is required to make readily available information regarding graduation rates and campus safety information. Graduation information is obtainable from the Registrar, while campus safety information is filed in the Office of the Dean of Student Services and is available from the Student Services page (link on the left side of this page).

Lancaster General College of Nursing & Health Sciences offers ongoing events for prospective students, current students, faculty, staff, alumni, the public and the community. Please see our College Event Calendar (click any date on the calendar on the left side of this page) for more information.

For more information about the faculty, staff, and administration of the College, please use our Faculty and Staff page (link on the left side of this page), where you will also find the College Directory, available online as a PDF file.

Updated 5/13/10