USU Celebrates Nursing Program in Recognition of National Nurses Month

The Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services at USU is recognizing National Nurses Month in May, which honors nurses for their dedication, compassion and essential contributions to health care. At USU, that work is reflected in its competitive and impactful nursing program, which excels in preparing nurses for their future work.

“We are proud to recognize the exceptional work of our nursing department during National Nurses Month,” said Executive Associate Dean Shawn Whiteman. “The dedication of our faculty and staff to preparing skilled, compassionate nurses not only advances health care but also upholds the highest standards of service and leadership in our communities. The excellence of our students and their commitment to learning during their studies and throughout their careers reflects the enduring strength and impact of USU’s nursing program.”

Curtis Anderson, USU alumnus, as well as founder and CEO of Nursa, a digital platform that connects health care facilities with nursing staff to fill short-term staffing gaps, has said about the USU nursing program: “We are grateful for USU’s role in preparing the next generation of nurses and are proud to stand with them in May in support of student nurses and the communities they will serve.”

Anderson and his wife, Stacie, have also established the Stacie Anderson Nursing Scholarship to support the education of Aggie nursing students.

The USU Nursing Department is a Utah leader in preparing students for careers in nursing, offering a range of programs that create multiple pathways and opportunities for students to enter and advance in the profession. Across its Bachelor of Science in Nursing and online RN to BSN programs, the Logan campus serves 165 students, with the BSN program admitting up to 60 students each year.

“Nurses rank as one of the most trusted and ethical professions in the country, which demonstrates the importance of caring for each other,” said Nursing Interim Department Head Pam Anderson. “We want our graduates to gain the knowledge and hands-on experience they need to build meaningful careers in health care, and we want to ensure they feel confident and prepared for every step after graduation.”

The Nursing Department’s emphasis on readiness is reflected in its scores for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), a national exam that is required for licensure as a registered nurse. The BSN program has maintained a 100 percent NCLEX pass rate over the past five years. It also boasts a 99 percent graduation rate and an 89 percent job placement rate.

“Not only are our NCLEX scores among the most competitive in the state, but one of our key learning outcomes is respectful caring, and we are deeply committed to instilling that in every student,” Anderson said. “Our emphasis on compassion, holistic care and serving the needs of our communities is what truly sets our program apart.”

Madi Dyal, a 2026 graduate from the USU Nursing Department, earned her BSN and is now working as a registered nurse at Bear River Mental Health. Dyal said the program provided her with strong preparation and valuable experience for her nursing career.

“My teachers, clinical instructors and preceptor taught me how to be a compassionate caregiver,” she said. “As a nurse, I get to be there for people during some of the hardest and most vulnerable parts of their lives. I walked away from USU with the knowledge and skills to be a great nurse and, more importantly, the empathy and understanding to care for these people during those times.”

In addition to the Logan campus, the Nursing Department offers select licensure programs through USU’s statewide campuses across Utah — including Blanding, Moab, Price, Tooele and Uintah Basin — and currently serves 117 students at those locations..In spring 2026, the program celebrated a milestone at the Blanding campus by graduating its first cohort of five Native American women, empowering them to give back to their communities.

“We’re dedicated to strengthening the communities we call home and serving the people who make them thrive,” Anderson said. “Our students are not just trained to be excellent nurses — they’re prepared to be active members of their communities, providing care, support and leadership where it’s needed most.”

Learn more about the USU Nursing Department.