BY ERIC CASSIDY
STAFF REPORTER
The Sacred Heart University College of Nursing has earned nationwide recognition, being ranked among the top 10 percent of nursing programs in the country by College Factual.
According to their website, College Factual “is a leading source of college data analytics and insights, with a strong focus on student outcomes.”
Sacred Heart offers undergraduate, graduate, online, and certificate programs for those seeking a profession in the medical field.
The nursing program anticipates 1600 applications for the upcoming fall semester. They expect to mail 800 acceptance letters and have approximately 200 students join the program.
“Our classes are challenging, but the teachers are always there to provide any help when needed,” said sophomore nursing student John Stevens. “I can tell after these four years of schooling, I will be a well-rounded individual in this demanding field.”
With the new addition of the Center for Healthcare Education, students are exposed to many resources to enhance their learning experience. The building comes equipped with modern laboratories along with other facilities for more hands-on exposure.
“The labs are beautiful. They provide functioning equipment that resembles a realistic patient scenario,” said senior Abby McCarthy.
“It’s helpful to practice on a manikin to gain skills and confidence needed for the nursing field,” she said.
The College of Nursing also offers courses abroad. The Nursing Leadership program gives students the opportunity to travel to Ireland for two weeks to complete clinical hours in a foreign hospital.
“I really enjoyed the courses abroad. We had a lot of one-on-one time with the professors and were able to do our clinical for health assessment at the Bons Secour Hospital in Tralee, which was so interesting to be able to get a glimpse of global health care,” said junior Katie Potter.
The program is also involved in a number of service trips around the world, including their most recent trip to Guatemala, to which they travel twice a year. During their time there, the students provided free medication and clinics to those in need.
In this past year, students of the nursing program were required to take the NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination). This exam determines if the student can become an entry-level nurse. The College of Nursing had a 98 percent passing rate, earning their program high national recognition.
Clinical hours give the students real-world experience. The school works with Yale New Haven Hospital, allowing students to build connections with the staff as well as patients.
“Sacred Heart’s connections with Yale New Haven Hospital gave me the opportunity to become a nurse there right after graduation,” said alumnus Angie Carrier.
“Their program has prepared me so well for joining the medical field. I am proud to say I am a graduate of such an amazing program,” she said.
“I am so proud to be a student of this program and I am confident that nursing has prepared me to enter the professional field and show the world what Sacred Heart has to offer,” said senior Nick Rivera.
