By Jennifer Lollar
The UAB School of Nursing continues to support nursing workforce development during the nation’s longest and most critical nursing shortage and once again, despite the challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, the School’s graduate programs are among the top ranked by U.S. News & World Report. In the 2023 edition of U.S. News & World Report’s “America’s Best Graduate Schools,” six of the UAB School of Nursing’s graduate specialties are ranked in the top ten and one in the top 15. The Master of Science in Nursing program is ranked No. 15 and the Doctor of Nursing Practice program is ranked No. 18.
The School’s seven specialties in the MSN and DNP programs that are ranked are:
- Master of Science in Nursing and Health Systems Administration – No. 4
- Master of Science in Nursing Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner – No. 7
- Master of Science in Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner – No. 7
- Doctor of Nursing Practice Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner – No. 5
- Doctor of Nursing Practice Family Nurse Practitioner – No. 6
- Doctor of Nursing Practice Adult -Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner – No. 6
- Doctor of Nursing Practice Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner – No. 11
Specialty rankings are based upon reputational assessments by nursing school deans and deans of graduate studies. Program rankings are based upon reputation/quality assessment, student selectivity and achievement, faculty resources, and research activity.
“In a time when nurses have never been needed more, the UAB School of Nursing continues to produce the next generation of nurse leaders and to offer opportunities for career advancement and excellence in nursing as science drives new treatments, drug discoveries, and vaccines, all ever changing with the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Dean and Fay B. Ireland Endowed Chair in Nursing Doreen C. Harper, PhD, RN, FAAN. “While our actions, and not rankings, are the true basis for assessing our School’s impact and influence on our community and community health, these rankings give us a chance to reflect on the great work accomplished this past year.”
This marks the third time during the 2021-2022 academic year the UAB School of Nursing has been top ranked nationally.
In November, U.S. News & World Report, the leader in college and graduate school rankings, released its first “Best Bachelor of Science in Nursing Programs” list, placing the UAB School of Nursing at No. 10 in the nation.
Then in February, the School ranked No. 6 overall and No. 2 among public schools of nursing in National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding rankings for fiscal year 2021, as published by the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research. This is a five-spot climb from its fiscal year 2020 rank of No. 11, reflecting the School’s dedication to an ever-growing research portfolio, with more than a $2 million increase in NIH funding to $8.4 million in NIH research funding for fiscal year 2021, and an annual total of $17.3 million. The latter figure recognizes the funding contributions from all missions—research, teaching, practice and scholarship.
“These rankings reflect the dedication of UAB School of Nursing faculty, staff, students, alumni and supporters,” said UAB School of Nursing Professor and Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Linda Moneyham, PhD, RN, FAAN. “As we have witnessed the courage, stamina and application of knowledges by nurses on the front lines of the COVID-19 fight over the past two years, we also have seen countless challenges to nursing education, practice and research, as well as the profession as a whole. But, the UAB School of Nursing community has remained committed to ensuring accessible, equitable care for all people by preparing the nurses who will lead innovative care and teams reaching even our most vulnerable populations.”
Harper said all of the School’s rankings are part of a larger toolkit with which progress and growth are monitored, however it is most important to continue to focus on the School’s mission to shape patient-centered health care for all persons by preparing recognized nurse leaders who excel across the care spectrum.
“As a School of Nursing, we remain dedicated to educating innovative leaders who transform health and health care and who create a culture of health in our communities and beyond by focusing on access to care, health equity and other social determinants of health,” she said.
