Nursing Careers at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP) was established in 1874 as the nation's first teaching hospital. As one of the premiere academic medical centers in the U.S., the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania's team of professionals provides excellent care and service to patients and communities in a holistic, compassionate and respectful environment.
As a leading Level I trauma center in an academic environment, the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania values its commitment to advancing knowledge and career through dedication to clinical excellence, education and research.

Nursing at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania has achieved Magnet status, the highest honor awarded for nursing excellence from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). To achieve Magnet status, a hospital must undergo a rigorous review process demonstrating it is committed to sustaining nursing excellence, improving professional practice, and transforming the culture of a work environment.
Department of Nursing
Committed to the advancement of nursing, the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania has instituted a Nursing Model of Excellence in Professional Practice. This model demonstrates the critical relationship between each element, and how they are integrated to ensure that Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania nurses define world-class patient care.
It encompasses the principles that underlie the practice of nursing including:
- Critical thinking
- Effective communication
- Finding, managing and using information
Consistently one of the nation's top recipients of NIH funding, the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania is continuously at the forefront of advancements in health care. Even more exciting is its dedication to evidence-based practice in nursing. The division of Translational Nursing Research facilitates excellence in nursing practice through research, evidence-based practice, technology transfer, quality improvement and effective communication.
The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania also offers monthly nursing grand rounds as well as programs to develop nurses at every stage of their career. Programs such as Charge Nurse Day, Preceptor Day, advanced dysrhythmia, chemotherapy certification and CCRN review are just a few offerings. Additionally, the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania supports nurses through its Nursing Network Center.
The Clinical Advancement Recognition Program (CARP) is designed to recognize all clinical nurses for their contributions to quality patient care, as well as their clinical knowledge and professional achievements. The Gateway to Critical Care and Gateway to the Operating Room programs were created to facilitate the professional development of RNs.
These programs teach nurses how to become safe and competent in the critical care and OR specialties. The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania has also implemented a clinical residency program for "new-to-practice" nurses that helps them excel in fostering professional development throughout their career. New graduates and experienced nurses will find the right role at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
Shared Governance
The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania's Department of Nursing follows a Shared Governance model that gives nurses the ability to collaborate on decisions that impact clinical care, quality improvement and nursing practice. Building on that basic premise, the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania strives toward world-class nursing care utilizing six key elements:
- Integrated primary nursing as the nursing care delivery system
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- Clinical and non-clinical supports
- Advancement, recognition, and compensation programs
- The encouragement and celebration of professional activities
- An evidence-based management team

HUP Nursing Shared Governance
The Nursing Network Center
The Nursing Network Center (NNC) at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania is a haven for nursing staff needing support from the demanding, fast-paced environment of patient care.
It is a place to network with colleagues, get information on a variety of topics from professional licensure to parking, or do a quiet Web search in the computer café.
Nurses at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania are part of a long and proud tradition of outstanding nursing care. Join the team and discover ongoing education, an exceptional compensation program, and prepaid tuition assistance that is among the best in the region. Nurses at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania helped to write the history of nursing and continue to create its future. They are pushing the limits of today's knowledge and are searching for answers to tomorrow's questions.
Specialties
Within the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, nurses can grow and excel in the following areas:
