University of Rochester School of Nursing: A Leader in Nursing Education

The University of Rochester School of Nursing, founded in 1925, has a long-standing reputation as a leader in nursing education. This article explores the school's ranking programs, its commitment to innovation, and the various educational pathways it offers to aspiring and practicing nurses.

Rankings and Recognition

The University of Rochester School of Nursing has consistently been recognized for its excellence in nursing education. U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks the school among the best in the nation. The school's bachelor's-level programs have been ranked No. 1 in Upstate New York by U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 Best Colleges rankings. The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program has also received high rankings. These rankings underscore the school's commitment to providing pathways for nurses and healthcare professionals to advance their careers and expand their impact.

Dean Lisa Kitko, PhD, RN, FAHA, FAAN, emphasizes that this national recognition is a testament to the dedication and successes of the faculty, staff, students, and preceptors. U.S. News & World Report's annual ranking comprises 285 schools with master's or doctoral nursing programs accredited by either the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.

Innovative Programs and Initiatives

The University of Rochester School of Nursing has a history of innovation in nursing education. It was among the first 50 nursing schools to introduce a Doctor of Nursing Practice program in 2007, as part of a national effort led by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing to prepare advanced practice nurses for clinical leadership roles and improve healthcare safety and quality.

An early leader in the Nurse Practitioner movement, UR Nursing was the first in the nation to introduce an Acute Care NP master’s program in the 1980s and was among the first in the country to prepare nurse practitioners in primary care. Later, it became one of the first institutions to offer a master’s degree aligned with the Clinical Nurse Leader certification and remains the only school with a CNL program in Upstate New York.

The University of Rochester School of Nursing is the first school in New York State to offer a new entry point for its Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program, reinforcing its leadership in DNP education. The school's most recent initiative is its Council for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, which has helped Rochester to earn four consecutive Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) awards.

The University of Rochester School of Nursing proudly announces its first-ever Experiential Learning Summit, scheduled for June 6-7, 2024, at Helen Wood Hall in Rochester, New York.

Program Overview

The University of Rochester School of Nursing offers a wide array of programs to meet the diverse needs of nursing students. The displayed tuition figure represents an estimated tuition cost at the University of Rochester. For a breakdown of nursing program costs, please review the Programs list below.

Bachelor's Level Programs

Traditional BSN: This program is designed for students seeking a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.
Accelerated Bachelor’s in Nursing Program: The University of Rochester School of Nursing proudly announces that its graduates from the Accelerated Bachelor’s in Nursing program have achieved a remarkable 100 percent pass rate on the Next Generation NCLEX exam. Over the past decade, 92% of students in the accelerated BSN program have passed the NCLEX licensure exam on their first try.
RN to BS and RN to BS to MS: These programs are designed for licensed RNs who hold an associate degree or nursing diploma. Students can earn a BS in as little as 16 months on a part-time flexible schedule. Those who want to go on to a MS degree can enroll in the RN to BS to MS program to make the journey shorter. Courses are presented by a hybrid learning style. Hybrid online courses are presented in some in-class sessions and some activities that are completed online. Those who would like to go on for an MS from an RN prepared with an associate's degree or diploma can save time by enrolling in the RN-BS-MS degree program.

Master's Level Programs

MSN: The school provides an MSN with nine specialty tracks. Learn more about master’s nursing programs at the University of Rochester.
Dual Degree Program: The Dual Degree program gives the option to tandem with the University of Rochester. The full time Dual Degree Programs prepare the nurse using a research-intensive curriculum. The courses are full time study and three years in length.

Doctoral Programs

DNP: The school offers a DNP with post-baccalaureate and post-master’s entry points. The University of Rochester School of Nursing is the first school in New York State to offer a new entry point for its Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program, reinforcing its leadership in DNP education.
PhD: The PhD program is open to all licensed health professionals who hold a master’s degree. The school also provides a PhD in nursing and health science.

Other Programs

Dual Degree Program: This program is designed for high school students who are contemplating a career in nursing.

Hybrid Learning Style

Courses are presented by a hybrid learning style. Hybrid online courses are presented in some in-class sessions and some activities that are completed online.

Leadership and Faculty

Leadership is a necessity in any organization, especially healthcare. Lydia Rotondo, DNP, RN, CNS, FNAP, associate dean of education and student affairs, salutes the contributions nurses and midwives have made to the health and well-being of populations across the globe. Her essay is part of the Democrat and Chronicle's tribute to National Nurses' Week.

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Michelle Morales was honored by the New York State Office of Mental Health in October for her work mentoring parents of children with eating disorders. Morales is a parent peer mentor for the Western New York Comprehensive Care Center for Eating Disorders. In her role, she teaches parents and parents how to offer support to their loved ones in recovery. She was selected to be the Family/Caregiver honoree at the What’s Great in Our State event, a forum to celebrate children’s mental health awareness, and recognized at the awards ceremony on Oct.

Research and Impact

A new study by researchers in the UR School of Nursing showed that the UR Medicine Employee Wellness Program has made statistically significant improvement in reducing the risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in participants. The study, led by Jinjiao Wang, PhD, RN, an assistant professor in the University of Rochester School of Nursing, examined the impact of specific services in Medicare-certified home health care (HHC) programs, such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and skilled nursing, on subsequent re-hospitalization among older patients.

The School of Nursing's Interdisciplinary Sexual Health and HIV Research (INSHHR) Group discussed continuing struggles and strides within HIV research, policies, and public health strategies during a panel discussion to help mark World AIDS Day on Dec. 13.

Safe Hospital Experience

A safe hospital experience for pediatric patients and staff is an important goal of Golisano Children’s Hospital. Some children who are admitted to the hospital have issues with behavior or communication that exist prior to admission.

The Importance of Nursing Education

Nursing is an excellent career choice for its stability, its variety, as well as how rewarding it is to care for people in all stages of their lives. In the United States alone, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that there will be an additional 175,900 job openings for registered nurses over the next decade, for a total of 7% growth. It also reports that nurses who hold a BSN, or Bachelor of Science in nursing, will have better employment prospects than those who have lesser certifications. However, these programs aren’t all created equal. Among other things, some schools offer more clinical opportunities, have higher NCLEX pass rates, and report better job placement rates than others.

Read also: Legacy of Fordham University

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