Graduate entry nursing students at pinning ceremony

Year in Review

Explore stories, milestones and achievements from the 2025-26 academic year that reflect the impact of the College of Nursing students, faculty, staff and alumni.

Dean Karen Rose and Brutus Buckeye

Message from the Dean

As I reflect on the past year, I am proud of the progress we have made together. Amid growth and change, our focus remains on preparing the next generation of nurses, advancing research that improves lives and communities, and strengthening the nursing profession through service, leadership and innovation. 

I am grateful to our faculty, staff, students, alumni and supporters for their dedication. Together, we continue to answer our calling to care.

Karen Rose, PhD, RN, FGSA, FNAP, FAAN
Dean and Professor 

Academic excellence

Preparing nurses the world needs now

  • #1 Bachelor of Science in Nursing (among public institutions)
  • #1 Online Master of Science in Nursing
  • #3 Master of Science in Nursing

The College of Nursing earned top national rankings across undergraduate, graduate and specialty programs in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report rankings. Specialty program rankings include: No. 3: Family Nurse Practitioner, No. 4: Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, No. 5 Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, and No. 5 Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.

Students working on nursing mannequin

New BSN pathway

New accelerated nursing program: Helping degreed students pivot to a career in nursing.
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Making global impact

Doctoral nursing students across four countries shared research, exchanged ideas and explored solutions to improve healthcare and education worldwide.
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Leaders in NIH-funded research

  • #1 in Ohio and the Big Ten
  • #6 in the nation
  • $12.8M in funding

Communicating Pain

​Michelle Failla’s research on pain in autistic people has surprising findings
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Innovation

Building a culture of creativity, courage and connection

Shane Gahn

Every nurse is an innovator

We want our students and faculty to look deeply at problems, think creatively and develop meaningful solutions. The Connie Hahn Sharpe and Gary Sharpe Innovation Center offers a unique place to bring ideas to life.
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students work in innovation studio

Advancing innovation in nursing education

Faculty advanced the national conversation on nursing education by advocating for innovation competencies in nursing curricula that prepare future nurses to lead change, solve complex challenges and improve healthcare delivery.
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For Ohioans

Access to healthcare closer to home

Peyton Mast with Head Start patient

Local Outreach: Helping Head Start

Master’s degree students and faculty provide health screenings and exams
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Community health workers at career fair

Expanding access to care

Ohio State trains community health workers to bridge care gaps and improve lives statewide
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Students using dementia simulation materials

Simulating dementia

Simulation builds empathy and understanding in students and caregivers
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Celebrating the class of 2026

  • 343 bachelor's degrees
  • 276 master's degrees
  • 65 doctoral degrees

Behind Brutus Buckeye

Bachelor of Science in Nursing graduate Caleb Kies shares his unforgettable experience as the university’s mascot.
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Caleb Kies, 2026 BSN graduate

Alumni in action

Jackie Buck

Buckeye Inspiration: Jackie Buck

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Hannah Henry

Alumni in Action: Hannah Henry

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Diana Kupchella

Military Nurse and Scholar, Diana Kupchella

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Faculty achievements

Growth for the future

Building on a record of excellence, the College of Nursing is preparing to nearly double enrollment to meet growing demand for Ohio State-prepared nurses. This expansion will increase access to top-ranked nursing education while maintaining the college’s high-quality learning environment.

You can support nursing students through a gift to the college's scholarship fund.

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