National Recognition as Top School Honors Commitment to Academic Excellence
November 24, 2025
St. John’s College of Nursing has received the Top Nursing College 2025 award from Education Insider magazine, honoring its commitment to academic excellence, clinical expertise and student success.
“This award reflects the dedication of our faculty, staff and students who live out our mission every day,” said Traci M. Krause, DNP, MPH, RN, Chancellor of St. John’s College of Nursing. ”We’re proud to be recognized for our work in educating and preparing compassionate, skilled nursing professionals who make a meaningful impact on patients and communities.”
As the nation’s oldest Catholic hospital-based nursing college, St. John’s will celebrate its 140th anniversary in 2026. Founded in 1886 by 10 Hospital Sisters of St. Francis who emigrated from Germany to provide health care to Springfield residents, the college has recently seen significant growth in both enrollment and student success.
From 2023 to fall 2024, overall enrollment nearly doubled – and jumped 300% in its LPN to BSN program. Student passage rates on the NCLEX – the national test for licensure – jumped from 78% in 2023 to 95% in 2024 – far above the 2024 state and national rates of 87% and 91%, respectively.
Krause and her staff revamped the curriculum of the LPN to BSN program so it recognized the prior education and on-the-job experience of students. They also shortened the RN to BSN program from two years to one, acknowledging the expertise of working registered nurses, who can easily fit the online-only program into their busy schedule.
The college also offers programs leading to a Master of Science in nursing (MSN) and a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).
To read Education Insider’s cover feature article on St. John’s, visit here.
“This award reflects the dedication of our faculty, staff and students who live out our mission every day,” said Traci M. Krause, DNP, MPH, RN, Chancellor of St. John’s College of Nursing. ”We’re proud to be recognized for our work in educating and preparing compassionate, skilled nursing professionals who make a meaningful impact on patients and communities.”
As the nation’s oldest Catholic hospital-based nursing college, St. John’s will celebrate its 140th anniversary in 2026. Founded in 1886 by 10 Hospital Sisters of St. Francis who emigrated from Germany to provide health care to Springfield residents, the college has recently seen significant growth in both enrollment and student success.
From 2023 to fall 2024, overall enrollment nearly doubled – and jumped 300% in its LPN to BSN program. Student passage rates on the NCLEX – the national test for licensure – jumped from 78% in 2023 to 95% in 2024 – far above the 2024 state and national rates of 87% and 91%, respectively.
Krause and her staff revamped the curriculum of the LPN to BSN program so it recognized the prior education and on-the-job experience of students. They also shortened the RN to BSN program from two years to one, acknowledging the expertise of working registered nurses, who can easily fit the online-only program into their busy schedule.
The college also offers programs leading to a Master of Science in nursing (MSN) and a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).
To read Education Insider’s cover feature article on St. John’s, visit here.
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