YSU Nursing: Celebrating 50 Years of Caring

With advanced degrees, online programs and more gender diversity, YSU’s Department of Nursing has made some radical changes since it began as an associate degree program in 1967. This year, as the department celebrates its Golden Anniversary, Nursing ranks as YSU’s sixth largest program, with 405 undergraduate and graduate students and 4,556 alumni.

Nursing was considered mostly a female profession for many years, but no more – Nancy Wagner, professor and chair of Nursing, said 20 percent of YSU’s nursing students are men, among the highest percentages in the state.

The Nursing program offers two undergraduate degree options: the entry-level BSN and the new online RN-BSN, a degree completion program for registered nurses. Enrollment for that program grew 300 percent last fall with the switch to an all-online format.

Four graduate degree programs are offered: Family Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Anesthesia, Nursing Education and School Nurse, along with certificate options, including a new Adult–Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program.

Nursing graduates are in demand. Wagner said 95 percent of BSN alumni find work in their field within six months of graduation due to demand from local hospitals.

Plans are being made for a 50th anniversary celebration for YSU's Department of Nursing, Saturday, October 21, in the Chestnut Room, Kilcawley Center. For more information, call 330-941-3293.