School of Nursing

Simmons’ School of Nursing is home to one of the country’s first university-based nursing programs and we are proud to remain among the best programs in the field, recognized for clinical excellence, and preparing future leaders in health care through undergraduate and graduate nursing degree programs, including the online Nursing@Simmons programs. We educate nurses to provide compassionate and evidence-based care, advocate for patients and communities, lead interprofessional teams, and advance research.

Prepare to be a Future Leader of Healthcare with our Nursing Degrees

Students in a nursing simulation lab

Faculty in the Simmons School of Nursing are passionate educators, clinicians, and researchers, and our location in Boston’s renowned medical area provides unparalleled training for our campus-based students in our nursing programs. Our BSN students in both the traditional four-year and accelerated second degree programs receive outstanding undergraduate education, while graduate programs offer paths for direct-entry, advanced nursing, and doctoral education.

Our School of Nursing is a pioneer in public health nursing and in training Family Nurse Practitioners, one of health care’s fastest-growing specialties. We are guided by values of social justice, teamwork, compassion and excellence, and we embrace Simmons’ tradition of science and practice for the social good.

Onground Nursing Programs

As home to the country's first university-based nursing program, Simmons University is among the best nursing programs in the field. Our location in the Longwood Medical area in Boston, MA, along with our faculty and alumnae/i connections at the world's leading hospitals provide ample opportunities for our students to pursue research, clinicals, and job opportunities.

Online Nursing Programs

USNews badge for Best Online FNP program 2022

Empowering and educating nurses since 1902, Simmons University offers online nursing programs that extends our esteemed Boston-based programs to students across the country through a dynamic, online learning platform.

Nursing School Requirements

For our undergraduate and graduate Nursing programs, our admission committee takes a holistic approach to reviewing applications. We consider your personal, professional, and academic experiences as a whole in order to evaluate your preparedness and potential for success in the program.

Learn more about applying to our Nursing programs as an undergraduate or graduate student.

Highlights of the Simmons Nursing Program

  • Nursing@Simmons, our premier online program, engages students nationwide.
  • We offer interactive classes and a student-centered learning environment.
  • Simmons nurses perform above national averages on NCLEX-RN Licensure and FNP Certification Exams. More information on accreditation and licensure can be found here.
  • Nursing students are leaders in athletics, student government, and campus organizations.
  • The Dotson Bridge and Mentoring Program serves and empowers African American, Latinx, Asian, and Native American nursing students.
  • Nursing students are engaged in research, publishing, and presenting their work with faculty in peer-reviewed journals and at regional and national conferences. 
Student in the nursing simulation lab

About

Our strengths include nationally acclaimed faculty, alumnae/i who are recognized leaders in their fields, and an ideal Boston location in the Longwood Medical Area.

Nursing students examining a mock patient

Clinical & Careers

Our students learn in our labs and classrooms, as well as health care facilities that are literally in our backyard. Graduates of the School of Nursing pursue a range of different occupations in the healthcare field. 

Two nursing students perform an exam on a nursing mannequin

Dotson Bridge and Mentoring Program

The Dotson Bridge and Mentoring Program is designed to address the social and academic barriers faced by many first-generation and ALANA nursing students, as well as to prepare them for the workplace through the mentoring relationship.

Learn More

Nursing student in a patient room

Alumnae/i from our Nursing Programs

The School of Nursing has been educating health care providers for over a century. You'll graduate with a network of alumnae/i who are committed to helping you succeed.

Alumnae/i

School of Nursing in the News

Recipients of the 2024 Faculty Awards, along with President Wooten, Provost Cosner and Associate Provost Doherty.

2024 Simmons Faculty Awards Celebrates Stellar Researchers and Educators

Simmons faculty from various disciplines received awards in undergraduate and graduate teaching, research, service, and a commitment to DEI at the 2024 Faculty Awards.


A close up photo of a marijuana plant. Photo credit: Mohammad Faisal Pirzada, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Simmons Faculty Research Student Perception of Medical Marijuana

A research paper by School of Nursing faculty Clark Cassone and Patricia Rissmiller was highlighted in the HempGazette, “Survey Finds US Nurse Practitioner Students Support Medical Cannabis.”


A mother holding her baby. Photo by Anna Keibalo on unsplash.com.

Nursing Instructor Helps Parents Support Parents

Simmons School of Nursing Adjunct Laura Behm is the co-founder and co-owner of Milky Moms, which offers lactation services and counseling services to mothers. We spoke to Behm about her approach to this work and what she loves about teaching Simmons students.


Boston Children's Hospital Main Entrance

School of Nursing Students Train to Work with Children with Developmental Disorders

Simmons School of Nursing students Rachel Takes ’24MSN and Elizabeth Strager ’19 ’21MSN, FNP- C, ’25DNP were recruited into the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities Program (LEND Boston) at Boston Children's Hospital’s Institute for Community Inclusion.


A student sits on a bench outside a building on the Simmons University campus

Honoring National Nurses Week

National Nurses Week, May 6-12, 2024, offers a time to reflect with respect and gratitude on the work of nurses. In recognition of the week, here is a round-up of recent stories on the School of Nursing at Simmons.


The Cupola

Simmons School of Nursing Advocates for the Nursing Profession in the Nation’s Capital

School of Nursing Dean Heather Shlosser and Nursing Student Amanda Whitbeck attended Capitol Hill Day, where they advocated for crucial funding and support with several congressional offices, including those of Representative Ayanna Pressley, Senator Elizabeth Warren, Senator Ed Markey, and Representative Seth Moulton.


Photo of Simmons in the Spring

Simmons School of Nursing Joins National Campaign for Health Workforce Well-Being

The Simmons University School of Nursing was accepted as part of the inaugural cohort in the National Academy of Medicine's Change Maker Campaign for Health Workforce Well-Being.


Nisha Wali '21FNP teaches class on bone marrow transplants to nurses at Dhaka Medical College Hospital

Nursing Faculty and Alumnae/i Receive Award for Advancing Palliative Care in Bangladesh

Professor Emerita Anne-Marie Barron and Associate Professor of Practice Kelly Marchant, along with collaborators Emily Erhardt, Jocelyn Hulburt ’08BSN, and Nisha Wali ’21FNP, recently received the 2023 Award of Excellence from the End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium (ELNEC).


Upcoming School of Nursing Events