For the first time in Loyola’s history, this past fall semester freshmen students began their college careers as nursing majors, getting straight into professional coursework as part of the university’s new Bachelors of Science program. This is all part of Loyola’s Strategic Plan for 2030, announced back in February, which focuses on the university’s future and investing into health and STEM. Also included in the strategic plan was a huge renovation of the Donnelly Science Center.
The university welcomed its first nursing cohort in fall 2025 with approximately 30 students, and plans are in place to gradually expand enrollment to about 110 students per entering class in the future. The program drew strong interest from prospective students, with Senior Director of Undergraduate Admission Andrew Cevasco noting in a past interview that more than 800 applications were submitted for just 40 available spots. As part of their education, nursing students also complete clinical rotations through a partnership with Mercy Medical Center in downtown Baltimore, a long-standing hospital recognized with an ANCC Magnet designation, highlighting excellence in nursing practice.
According to Dr. Sharon O’Neill, director of Loyola’s new nursing program, the addition of nursing reflects a broader expansion of healthcare education at the University.
“It’s opening up other avenues for Loyola because we’re building other relationships such as working with Mercy and potentially with other health care partners in the Baltimore area,” O’Neill said.
Now, after one full academic term, students in the program are beginning to reflect on what that experience has looked like so far. Gail Mnzava ‘30, a nursing major, said her first semester in the program has been a positive transition into college life and professional coursework.
“My first semester went really good. I think our professors were really impressed with how we have been doing and I’ve got to know my other fellow nursing students really well already, which has been great, too,” said Mnzava.
The structure of the nursing program focuses on intro coursework during the first year, allowing students to build groundwork before moving into more advanced nursing classes and clinical experiences. While Mnzava initially expected a faster pace into the program, she mentions beginning the basics have been just as important.
“So far it has been all intro courses until our second semester. I kind of expected it to be a little more fast paced, but I am kinda grateful that they are still guiding us through it and taking it one step at a time. So nothing has been too difficult yet,” she said.
Dr. O’Neill said Loyola’s nursing program differs from many others in the region,
“At other schools, you have to compete to get into the nursing program midway through your college career, so you don’t get admitted to the nursing program at the outset,” O’Neill said.
At many other institutions, students must compete for limited nursing spots later in their college careers, meaning admission into the program is not guaranteed. At Loyola, however, students are admitted directly into the nursing program as incoming freshmen, allowing them to begin nursing coursework immediately and progress through the curriculum with a clear, structured path. This model removes the uncertainty common at other schools and gives students the stability to focus on their academic and clinical preparation from the start.
O’Neill also emphasized the academic rigor of the curriculum, particularly in the sciences.
“The students in our program take all their sciences with all the science majors, which is not always the case, so it’s a much more rigorous program,” O’Neill said.
Along with the core requirements, nursing students also take courses that introduce them to both the academic and professional sides of the field. Mnzava described how the mix of different types of nursing courses helps students understand the career from multiple perspectives.
“We have to take two different nursing classes, one is evidence based practice, where we explore research through nursing in the medical field, and then the other one is more of learning the history of it and how that can be applicable today. So, I think that’s an interesting balance between those 2 classes,” Mnzava said.
For Mnzava, choosing nursing was a decision rooted in both her personal life and career path search, enjoying the specifics of the program that allows her to stay connected to healthcare while still exploring her long-term goals.
“I chose this major because my mom is a nurse. I knew I wanted to do something medical, but I wasn’t 100% I wanted to commit to being a doctor, so through navigating what I want through this, that kind of just stuck,” Mnzava said.
The program is closely tied to Loyola’s larger future plans, including renovations to the Donnelly Science Center. Though still not fully completed, nursing students have begun to use the updated Donnelly Science Center spaces for labs, giving students a preview of what the new facilities will bring to the program in the coming years.
“The first time we were in there was my most recent lab, right before the big snowstorm that happened. It was really nice, but I am still not adjusted to it quite yet because that’s the one time we have been there and haven’t been back yet. But I am excited now that our labs will be starting to all be in there,” Mnzava said.
O’Neill said the new lab spaces are designed to help students practice skills before entering real clinical settings.
“You actually get to practice what you’re learning in a controlled environment, and you can make the errors so that when you go into the clinical environment, you’re more comfortable,” O’Neill said.
Reflecting on the first semester of the program, O’Neill praised the inaugural cohort for adapting to being the first group of students.
“I think they’ve done an excellent job. My hat’s off to all of them because they came into the school when we really didn’t have the facilities. They’re a wonderful group of students,” O’Neill said.
Looking ahead, Mnzava said the program has already helped her begin thinking about her future in healthcare.
“I will probably apply to graduate school, and then I have to start thinking about residency and stuff like that, but the goal is to stay in this area,” Mnzava said.
As Loyola continues to expand its nursing program and complete the Donnelly Science Center, Dr. O’Neill noted that they expect a cohort of around 50 students in fall 2026. The program looks to build on the foundation laid by the inaugural cohort, offering more opportunities for hands-on learning, clinical experiences, and preparation for careers in healthcare. This continued growth reflects Loyola’s commitment to developing skilled nursing professionals and shaping the future of STEM and health education at the University.