Elmhurst University Graduate Nursing Program moves Up in U.S. News and World Reports’ rankings

Graphic by — Abbey Mark

In March, record-setting rankings were given to Elmhurst University Master’s Program in Nursing in U.S. News annual rankings. 

The program moved up 11 spots in the U.S. News list of best graduate schools for nursing in the United States. 

EU’s program now sits at number 135 in the nation. EU ranks high and not far behind research-based institutions like the University of Illinois at Chicago and Rush University.

The Graduate Nursing Program on campus consists of multiple graduate degrees. 

These include the degrees for Master’s Entry in Nursing Practice, Master of Science in Nursing, and soon the program will include a new addition of a graduate degree for Doctor of Nursing Practice.

In the Fall semester of 2022, the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) will welcome a new graduate degree program. 

Diane Salvador, executive director of Elmhurst’s department of nursing and health sciences, reflected on this sentiment, in an article released on March 29, 2022 by the Office of Marketing and Communications.

“We are excited to again be recognized at the national and state levels for our excellence in master’s level nursing education,” Salvador said. 

The addition of the doctoral program is indicative of the work and strength of the program at EU.

“Receiving this distinction over time is an indication of consistent excellence in teaching, and preparation of students for advanced nursing roles,” said Salvador. “We look forward to recognition next year of our new DNP program as well.”

The DNP was approved by the higher learning commission in Oct. 2021 and was announced to campus the same month as part of President Troy VanAken’s 150 anniversary plans. 

The DNP will be EU’s first ever doctoral degree available to interested students.