With a strong mission to continue growing its programs in nursing and health sciences, Iona University announced that is has renamed the school of health sciences to NewYork-Presbyterian School of Nursing & Health Sciences. This name change reflects Iona’s accreditation for its master’s degree nursing program by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing in Education in addition to its already accredited baccalaureate nursing program.
“As we grow out programs in nursing and health sciences, we do so with our students at the forefront; their success is both motivation and the foundation for what we do at Iona,” says Iona University president Seamus Carey, Ph.D.
Successful Nursing Programs Exceeding Expectations
Since launching in 2020, Iona’s undergraduate and graduate nursing programs have shown both increased momentum in enrollment rate and excellent student outcomes, including the Bachelor of Science degree in nursing education; accelerated second-degree BS in nursing; Master of Science in nursing education; and Master of Science in nursing healthcare organizational leadership. After graduating from the undergraduate program, students are prepared to sit for the National Council for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).
According to graduation statistics, 91% of May 2025 graduates from the four-year bachelor’s degree program passed the NCLEX for their first time sitting for the exam. Additionally, 86% of nursing graduates from the undergraduate program are employed within six months of graduation, and 100% of graduates are employed within a year.
“Our nursing students are thriving. They are training in world-class facilities, participating in top–tier clinicals alongside the best nurses in the country, and being actively recruited by major hospitals – even before graduation. This is a testament to the education and caliber of students at Iona,” says director of nursing Sherylyn Watson, Ph.D., MSN, RN, CNE.
A Partnership With NewYork-Presbyterian
Iona University’s strong program results post-graduation can also be attributed to its collaboration with NewYork-Presbyterian, which offers access to clinical placements and full-time career opportunities. NewYork-Presbyterian is the only healthcare system in New York with Magnet recognition (along with all its 11 hospitals) – the highest national honor for nursing excellence. Only 10% of hospitals have achieved Magnet recognition, and NewYork-Presbyterian accounts for 11 out of 51 Magnet hospitals in New York State. Additionally, it’s ranked one of the best hospitals in the nation.
“Through the New York-Presbyterian Iona School of Nursing & Health Sciences, we are providing a pathway for students to find careers caring for patients and the communities we serve,” says Dr. Steven J. Corwin, president and chief executive officer of NewYork-Presbyterian. “We are proud to collaborate with Iona University to grow its outstanding nursing and science programs and develop the next generation of exceptional healthcare professionals,” Corwin adds.
A Career in High Demand
Iona University’s 28-acre Bronxville campus offers a hands-on and immersive learning experience at the Kelly Center for Health Sciences with modern classrooms and simulation labs, as well as virtual reality to replicate real-world healthcare environments. To fulfill the demand for nurses in the U.S., Iona’s strategic partnership with NewYork-Presbyterian allows graduates to establish successful careers in nursing fields. Employment for registered nurses is expected to grow five percent from 2024 to 2034, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Additionally, Iona University has other undergraduate and graduate programs available through the school of health sciences; learn more about all the programs offered here.
Iona University is located on two campuses in Westchester: New Rochelle and Bronxville. The NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Nursing and Health Sciences is located on the Bronxville campus at 171 White Plains Road.
Related: Inside Westchester Community College’s State-of-the-Art Health Sciences Simulation Center
