Rita Offutt, Editor

On Sept. 13, U.S. News and World Report released their 2022 “Best Colleges” report, which included the first-ever ranking of Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Programs; out of 694 programs, La Salle was ranked #288. According to U.S. News and World Report, “The rankings are based solely on the judgments of deans and senior faculty members of nursing schools and departments at institutions around the country.” Those judgments, classified as peer assessment scores or reputation scores, were recorded on a 5-point scale, ranging from outstanding (5) to marginal (1). La Salle received a reputation score of 2.9. 

Because the 2022 BSN rankings were based solely on reputation score, and did not include objective metrics such as licensure exam results, many institutions tied. More than forty  universities received a reputation score of 2.9, and because other metrics were not used, they all share the #288 ranking. Other Philadelphia-area schools were also included on the list, including Villanova University (#23), Thomas Jefferson University (#58), Drexel University (#96) and Temple University(#120). The University of Pennsylvania was ranked number one, with a reputation score of 4.6. 

On Jan. 4, 2021, La Salle shared that “Undergraduate students in La Salle University’s nursing program achieved a 94.64-percent first-time pass rate of their national licensure exams for registered nurses…The pass rate posted by La Salle’s nursing students exceeded the national (86.76 percent) and state (91.99 percent) averages for this same cycle, according to the National Council of State Board of Nursing.” Following the “Best Colleges” report, Interim President Tim O’Shaughnessy told La Salle News, “La Salle’s undergraduate nursing program is one of our hallmark undergraduate degree programs, one of which we are incredibly proud. Not only does our BSN program cultivate future leaders of the nursing profession, it trains our graduates in the delivery of compassionate care for the most-vulnerable populations.”

When asked about her experience in La Salle’s nursing program, senior Addison Frazier said, “The program is challenging, but an appropriate amount — I definitely feel like La Salle prioritizes National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) prep. The faculty are very supportive and truly want to see us succeed. I’ve had great clinical experiences so far and I feel well prepared from our simulations and classroom preparation. La Salle students are very fortunate to work in a wide variety of clinical sites and be so close to so many highly regarded medical centers.” After reviewing the 2022 “Best Colleges” report, senior nursing major Renata Qunito echoed Frazier’s sentiments, saying, “I’m extremely proud of La Salle’s BSN program. I find it unfair that the schools were ranked based on reputation alone. Other quantifiable measures, such as NCLEX first time pass rate, would better represent the success of La Salle’s students, faculty, and overall program. La Salle produces stellar nurses who go on to accept the same, if not better, job offers as students from other, higher ranking Philadelphia universities.”