By Pareasa Rahimi
The University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program remains a top nursing program in the country, tied for No. 3 among public schools and tied for No. 13 among 686 nursing schools in the U.S. News & World Report 2024 “America’s Best Colleges” rankings.
“Achieving a top ranking among nursing programs nationally reflects our commitment to producing skilled, compassionate nurses who are ready to lead and innovate in the field,” said Dean and Fay B. Ireland Endowed Chair Maria R. Shirey, PhD, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, ANEF, FNAP, FACHE, FAAN. “This recognition inspires us to continue striving for excellence in every aspect of nursing education.”
U.S. News evaluates programs based on a combination of factors, including accreditation, peer institutions and more. The School’s MSN and DNP programs also are consistently highly ranked by U.S. News, and boast six graduate specialties ranked in the top 10 for 2024.
“The School upholds high standards of performance for its students, and this ranking emphasizes the dedication of faculty and staff to ensure we are preparing the next generation of nurse leaders to make a difference in their communities and beyond, ” said Assistant Professor and Interim Associate Dean for Undergraduate and Prelicensure Education Katie Parris, DNP, RN, CNE.
More than one out of four nursing graduates in the state of Alabama across all programs—bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral—have graduated from the UAB School of Nursing since 2016. The School also received a second designation as a National League for Nursing Center of Excellence in September, distinguishing itself for the teaching expertise of faculty. The School received its first designation as an NLN Center of Excellence in 2017, cited for sustained efforts to enhance student learning and professional development.
