Message from the Dean

Reflection, celebration, and new beginnings

At the Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing, 2025 has been a time of reflection, celebration, and bold new beginnings. Since our founding 90 years ago, Loyola Nursing has distinguished itself by educating compassionate, highly skilled nurses who bring the university’s Jesuit values—the pursuit of justice, learning, and cura personalis, or care of the whole person—into action every day.

Our commitment to academic excellence has earned us the distinction of being one of the top nursing programs in the country. This year, our Bachelor of Science in Nursing program achieved its highest-ever ranking from U.S. News & World Report, rising to #13 among undergraduate nursing programs nationwide.

Meanwhile, our four-year BSN program recorded its highest enrollment in the school’s history this fall. And we are poised for even more growth: Earlier this year, Loyola announced plans for a new building that will be home to our four-year BSN program. This state-of-the-art facility will allow us to double our BSN enrollment, expanding access to a Loyola Nursing education for even more students.

We are deeply proud not only of Loyola Nursing’s exceptional BSN program, but also of our thriving graduate and research programs that attract talented students and competitive grant funding. As we look toward Loyola Nursing’s bright future, I extend gratitude to all the students, faculty, staff, alumni, and generous donors who have laid the foundation for our success.

I invite you to learn more about Loyola Nursing, from our innovative new programs to our exceptional faculty and alumni, in the pages that follow.

Warmly, 

Lorna Finnegan, PhD, RN, FNP, FAAN
Dean and Professor
Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing