Cardinal Nurse Quarterly Dean’s Message January 2026

Happy New Year, Cardinal Nurses!

2025’s Successes

As we turn the page to 2026, I’m reflecting with pride on what our School accomplished together this past year. Our programs continued their upward trajectory in national recognition, earning placement among the U.S. World Report’s top 100 for our undergraduate (#74), master’s (#68), nursing-anesthesia (#68) and DNP (#90) programs. This momentum reflects the excellence of our faculty, the dedication of our students, and the strength of our clinical and community partnerships. It’s especially gratifying to see our progress recognized alongside the university’s broader rise in national rankings—evidence that Cardinal progress is real and resonant.

One of the most energizing parts of 2025 was the way our alumni leaned in. Through the efforts of the School of Nursing Alumni Council, we saw meaningful activation, engaging with students, hosting community-building events, and rallying during Raise Some L. Our efforts to raise funding brought in record donations for the School of Nursing and caught attention across campus. Thank you to every Cardinal who gave time, expertise, and resources. You are helping shape what’s possible for the next generation of nurses.

Future Demands for Nurses

Looking ahead, the opportunity and responsibility before us has never been clearer. Demand for nurses and advanced practice providers continues to grow across care settings and communities. The latest national outlooks project sustained needs for registered nurses over the next decade and strong growth for nurse practitioners and other APRN roles. For our students and alumni, that means your education here translates into immediate impact—whether at the bedside, in primary care, in leadership, or in research that changes practice.

The Year Ahead

In 2026, we continue to build on the successes of our school by:

• Refining the School of Nursing’s strategic plan to align with university priorities
• Developing creative strategies to address new external financial influences
• Continuing our efforts to address the healthcare workforce shortage

Thank you for everything you do as clinicians, leaders, scholars, and champions of health. I’m grateful for your dedication and excited for what we’ll achieve together in the year ahead.

With gratitude,

Whitney Nash, PhD, NP-BC, FAANP, FAAN
Dean and Professor, University of Louisville School of Nursing