Johnson & Wales University Celebrates First Nursing Degree Graduates

PROVIDENCE, RI — Johnson & Wales University (JWU) celebrated its first graduating class for its accelerated second degree bachelor of science in nursing last month, presenting nursing pins to 18 students.

University officials said the group began the 16-month program in Fall 2023.

"We are so thrilled to celebrate the first class of this innovative new program," JWU Chief Nursing Officer David Hudson said. "JWU set out to help address the major workforce shortages in the health care industry with this degree, and we look forward to the exciting careers our graduates will embark upon."

The pinning ceremony featured remarks from Hudson, College of Health & Wellness Dean Maura Daly Iversen, Providence Program Director Kiley Medeiros, and nursing student Krysta Bouchard. Students received their pins and recited the nursing oath.

During the ceremony, a posthumous degree and pin were awarded to the family of student Jaiden Andrews, 24, of Plymouth, Massachusetts, who died in a crash during the third semester of the program.

Johnson & Wales University launched it new, accelerated second degree bachelor of science in nursing program in October 2022, after receiving approval from the Rhode Island Board of Nursing Registration and Nursing Education. The accelerated, four-semester program is intended to be a secondary degree program for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree.

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