First national ranking for the college places CNHS among the best 100 U.S. nursing schools
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In the first US News & World Report national rankings for programs offering a BS in Nursing, the UMass Dartmouth College of Nursing & Health Sciences (CNHS) has ranked nationally among the best U.S. nursing schools.
According to the recent 2022 College Rankings report, CNHS is ranked:
- 96th nationally out of 694 surveyed colleges and schools (top 14%)
- 5th in MA out of 21 surveyed programs
- 8th in New England out of 46 surveyed programs
“This achievement would not be possible without the commitment of each member of our nursing college, semester over semester and year over year. We have a great deal to be proud of in our educational programming and our commitment to outstanding student education,” said CNHS Dean Kimberly Christopher.
Graduates of the College of Nursing & Health Sciences have exceeded the national average on the NCLEX licensing exam for four consecutive years. Both traditional Bachelor of Science (BS) in Nursing students and Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) degree students in UMass Dartmouth’s Class of 2020 have scored a 95% pass rate on the national licensure exam. Students took the exam for the first time shortly after earning their nursing degrees.
“Our excellent NCLEX pass rate speaks volumes about the quality of our nursing program and how well our students are prepared for careers in nursing,” said Assistant Dean Karen Barnett. ”These rates are a key indicator that our nursing faculty and all members of our college are dedicated to graduating exceptional nurses.”
College offers state-of-the-art laboratories and clinical experiences at leading healthcare facilities
UMass Dartmouth offers the only bachelor of science degree in nursing in southeastern MA with newly renovated laboratories that enable students to gain valuable skills in the college's clinical simulation lab, physical assessment exam rooms, and state-of-the-art media center.
The college enrolls approximately 600 undergraduate students in nursing. Many nursing students are also enrolled in the Honors College, further demonstrating their academic prowess.
Each class has a faculty advisor, and classmates meet regularly as a group to share clinical experiences. In their second year, students begin to acquire the observation and communication skills necessary to assess patients and develop a plan of care while the third year focuses on clinical experience within the family unit as well as at-risk populations. In a senior year mentorship experience, students assume the role of a professional nurse under the supervision and guidance of a staff nurse mentor and RN.
Regional clinical partners include hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities such as Massachusetts General Hospital, St. Anne’s Hospital in Fall River, Southcoast Health, Rhode Island Hospital/Hasbro Children’s Hospital, and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.
After passing the licensing exam, graduates of the College of Nursing & Health Sciences have secured employment at leading national hospitals and medical centers and attended graduate school at Boston College, Georgetown University, Pennsylvania State University, and Yale University, to name a few.
Undergraduate and graduate degrees prepare students for successful nursing careers
In addition to the traditional four-year BS in nursing, UMass Dartmouth offers an online RN to BS program and a Second Degree Accelerated BS in Nursing program for students already holding a bachelor’s degree in another discipline from an accredited institution. The college also introduced an undergraduate minor in Global Health open to all majors.
CNHS offers graduate programs, including an online MS in Nursing, a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), and PhD in Nursing.
The UMass Dartmouth nursing major curriculum meets state educational requirements for professional licensure in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice program at UMass Dartmouth are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (www.ccneaccreditation.org).
The US News Bachelor of Science in Nursing program rankings are determined by the average of scores received from surveys of top academics and officials at nursing schools or departments. Schools are included and ranked in this standalone peer assessment survey if they have bachelor’s-level accreditation by either the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.
In the same 2022 report, UMass Dartmouth was named a “2022 Best College” and a top performer in student social mobility.
Full list of US News & World Report BS in Nursing rankings.