The Increasing Demand for Nurses
America needs more nurses and healthcare professionals.
It goes without saying that healthcare workers are an essential pillar of our society, keeping us upright and rising to the occasion in even the most difficult of times. They not only work tirelessly to protect those in and around their communities, but give others something to aspire to with the hope that future generations will follow in their footsteps.
Many of the values upheld by healthcare professionals correlate with the mission of St. Joseph’s University, New York and its pillars of integrity, intellectual rigor, spiritual depth, social responsibility and service. This connection is made all the more evident by the University’s nursing program on its Long Island and Brooklyn campuses.
With a rise in healthcare demands, opportunities in nursing are expected to increase by more than 40 percent by 2031, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. SJNY and its highly dedicated faculty aim to meet that demand by preparing its students for the realities of today’s fast-paced, high-tech world of medicine.
Each year, dozens of nursing students graduate from St. Joseph’s with the tools, resources and experiences to forge a path forward in their careers and make a difference in the lives of others.
“As a proud SJNY Nursing alumna, I can personally attest to the rigor, excellence and high-quality education this program provides,” said Executive Director of Nursing Athanasia Giannakas-Lafaro, DNP, AGNP-C, RN, OCN.
Those seeking to pursue a career in nursing need to look no further than SJNY. Alongside Child Study, Adolescence Education, Criminal Justice, English, Biology and several other majors, nursing is among the University’s most sought-after programs for undergraduate students looking to leave their imprint on the world at large.
Hear From Our Students
For further evidence of the University’s nursing program success, students and alumni shared how SJNY has influenced their academic and professional lives.
Michael Walters ’26
Brooklyn Campus
“Throughout my last four years at St. Joes, I always felt I had a clear direction and never felt uncertain in terms of my nursing career. In addition to career fairs that gave me the opportunity to connect with hospitals, I was always able to rely on my professors, directors and dean for support and guidance on what were the best steps to take.
“Our school’s support is the best attribute we have and has allowed for a smooth nursing program with challenging yet amazing experiences along the way.”
Vanessa Ganley ’26
Long Island Campus
“I recently passed the NCLEX and am looking forward to starting my nursing career! I believe that prospective students should choose SJNY’s nursing program because whether it be in the classroom, skills lab or at clinical rotations, the educators are extremely knowledgeable and they prepare you extremely well to succeed not only during your time at SJNY, but for your future nursing career as well.
“The faculty were always supportive and willing to help and there are so many resources available to help students. My favorite memory as a nursing student was serving as a Peer Tutor for students taking Medical-Surgical Nursing 1. It was extremely rewarding to be able to help other students, and it was an honor to be selected to do so.”
Scott Bisiani ’26
Long Island Campus
“The small class sizes are the best factor about St. Joseph’s! Here at St. Joes, you are a lot more than a “number.” You are a student that is cared about by the entire nursing department who all want to see you succeed in the field.
“My favorite thing about attending St. Joes was the connections and friends I made on campus! I made lifelong friends and appreciated that St. Joes had an environment where friendships could be created.
“I will be attending St. Joseph’s again in the fall to begin classes to obtain my Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner degree.”
Brianna Rezza ’25
Brooklyn Campus
“As a commuter from Staten Island, having a school close by gave me the best of both worlds. I could stay at home while still receiving a high-quality education. Another major factor was the reputation of the nursing program. I had heard great things about it, and what really stood out to me was the direct entry option.
“Unlike other schools that required entrance exams and had limited spots, St. Joseph’s allowed me to start the nursing program without that added pressure. That level of accessibility and support was exactly what I was looking for.”
Nursing at SJNY By the Numbers
Nursing is an ever-changing field, and as such, St. Joseph’s prioritizes adaptability, practicality and confidence to bring the best out of its students.
In fact, St. Joseph’s University, New York boasts an 87 percent NCLEX pass rate, 85 percent program completion rate and 95 percent employment rate.
For those looking to advance their education in the nursing field, SJNY offers graduate programs in adult-gerontology as a clinical nurse specialist and practitioner, nursing education and a Nursing M.S. as a family nurse practitioner.
The nursing program’s curriculum, on-site labs and extracurricular activities prepare students for the challenges they are sure to encounter in hospitals, nursing homes and other medical facilities, all while providing a controlled environment that encourages hands-on learning.
“Our state-of-the-art, high-fidelity simulation labs recreate real-life clinical scenarios, allowing students to build confidence, develop critical thinking skills, and practice delivering safe, compassionate patient care in a supportive environment,” Dr. Giannakas-Lafaro said.
Click here more information on the nursing program across SJNY’s Brooklyn and Long Island Campuses.
