When Immaculata University welcomed its first class of nursing students in 1985, the program was created to meet a growing need for bachelor-prepared nurses. Forty years later, the University is celebrating not only its history but also the generations of graduates who have stepped into hospitals, clinics and classrooms to care for patients and shape the profession.
What began as a single RN-to-B.S.N. track has grown into a full College of Nursing and Health Professions. Immaculata’s nursing programs enter their fifth decade with fresh momentum, offering multiple undergraduate options, graduate programs and advanced practice pathways, including a family nurse practitioner (NP) specialization added in 2023. A new NP track in psychiatric mental health is also set to launch in 2026.
To date, Immaculata has awarded more than 4,836 B.S.N. degrees and 347 M.S.N. degrees, reflecting its substantial contributions to the region’s health care workforce.
Cristina Tansey, Ed.D., M.S.N., RN, has seen the growth firsthand. “As a two-time alumna of Immaculata University and a nursing faculty member for over 10 years, I have witnessed the program’s growth and how it prepares students to enter the profession as safe, holistic nurses,” she said.
That commitment to personal attention also drew Julia Hallman ’24, who enrolled in the accelerated second-degree B.S.N. program after earning her first undergraduate degree elsewhere. “You know your professors, and they know you,” she said. “They’ll encourage you and guide you in the right direction.”
The milestone anniversary celebration comes at a time when the nursing profession faces increasing challenges. Hospitals and clinics across the country report shortages of registered nurses and advanced practice providers. As health systems adapt, universities like Immaculata play a critical role in preparing graduates who are ready to lead in patient care, education and policy.
Immaculata’s impact is reflected in the thousands of degrees it has awarded and in the network of alumni serving communities across the region. The University’s nursing programs have become known for combining rigorous academics with the values of compassion and holistic care.
On Sept. 16, 2025, the College of Nursing and Health Professions hosted a reception for the 40th Anniversary of Nursing alongside the Department of Alumni Relations. Former and current faculty, nursing alumni and current nursing students came together to reconnect and recognize the importance of this historic occasion. With a special commemorative pin for attendees, it was certainly a memorable night honoring fond memories and the continual success of Immaculata’s nursing program.
The 40th anniversary is not only a time to celebrate but also a reminder of the urgent need for highly trained nurses. With new offerings on the horizon and an enduring mission, Immaculata remains committed to shaping the future of nursing—one graduate, one patient, one community at a time.
