Stonehill College Establishes Nursing Education Program

The Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing (BORN) has granted Stonehill College initial approval to establish a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. Applications are now open, and classes will start during the 2026–2027 academic year. 

Establishing a nursing degree is a key initiative outlined in Stonehill 2030: Building Together, the College’s five-year strategic plan unveiled in August 2025. The plan emphasizes the development of programs that enable students to lead and serve with purpose.

 “Stonehill 2030: Building Together is off to a strong start with the forthcoming launch of our BSN program,” said Rev. John Denning, C.S.C., president of Stonehill College. “This degree will enhance the future of healthcare by preparing skilled nurses whose practice is rooted in a desire to serve the common good. I look forward to welcoming our first cohort to campus next fall, ensuring they have the support and resources needed to thrive as compassionate caregivers.”

Fostering Empathy & Experience

Combining innovative clinical practice and empathy-centered education, Stonehill’s BSN degree will equip nursing students to serve a wide range of patients. Supporting their full potential and impact, the program will align with the College’s Catholic and Holy Cross values, as well as the principles of the Skyhawk Core Curriculum, which fosters inquiry, exploration and discovery as students develop their knowledge, skills and character. 

This foundation will be strengthened by clinical and simulation learning experiences that complement classroom instruction and allow students to participate in authentic treatment scenarios involving obstetric, neonatal, pediatric, adult and older adult patients. 

“The introduction of the BSN program marks the start of a transformative period for the College,” Vice President for Academic Affairs Peter Ubertaccio said. “As we elevate Stonehill’s academic offerings through this bold initiative, we remain committed to nurturing a student-focused community that prioritizes moral and intellectual growth.”

Enhancing the Future of Healthcare

The BSN program has been developed with the intention of addressing critical workforce needs. Over the next several years, employment growth in healthcare “is expected to be driven by both the aging population and a higher prevalence of chronic conditions,” according to a 2024 report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. It is also projected that BSN positions will increase by 9% from 2020 to 2030. 

To ensure Stonehill graduates can successfully navigate a shifting healthcare landscape, the College has enlisted Susan Taylor to serve as Interim Dean of Nursing. She assumed this role in July 2025 following her previous work as a nursing education consultant during the 2024–2025 academic year.

Taylor has several decades of experience working as a nurse educator, clinician and administrator. Most recently, she held roles with Signature Healthcare/Brockton Hospital School of Nursing, including academic administrator and dean. Under the direction of the Chief Nurse Officer of Signature Healthcare, she oversaw the planning, operation, control and evaluation of all school programming and activities. 

“Now that Stonehill College has received the greenlight from BORN to launch the BSN degree, I am excited to continue collaborating with campus colleagues and members of the healthcare community to further develop this dynamic degree program,” Taylor said. “Guided by Stonehill’s philosophy of educating the whole person, we will cultivate nursing leaders who rely on both integrity and reason to help advance the field.”