Southern University’s School of Nursing (SUSON) has been named the best nursing school in America by Nurse.org, a platform dedicated to recognizing excellence in nursing education. This honor places SUSON ahead of other top-tier programs, including Emory University, Florida State University, the University of Michigan, and the University of Washington.
Dr. Sandra C. Brown, Dean of the College of Nursing and Allied Health, credits this achievement to the school’s dedication to excellence despite challenges such as limited resources and funding. “Excellence is doing much with what you have. That is the message I try to instill in my faculty, staff, and students,” she said.
SUSON’s growing national recognition has been amplified by the increasing visibility of Black men in nursing. Last semester, a video featuring male students in the program went viral, leading to an invitation for all the male students to attend the 2025 Bart Starr Awards at the Super Bowl Breakfast. “This breakfast recognizes integrity and leadership in football, but those are the same principles we instill in our students,” Dr. Brown explained. With Black men making up less than 1% of nurses nationwide, she emphasized the importance of representation. “It’s very difficult to be what you can’t see.”
SUSON’s rigorous curriculum challenges students both academically and professionally. Kellen Anthony, a sophomore Level 1 nursing student from Baton Rouge, described the transition from prerequisite courses to the core nursing program as a major adjustment. “Most of my classes are two to three hours long, and a lot of information is given and processed at one time,” Anthony said. He credited the faculty’s open-door policy and supportive environment for helping students adapt. Reflecting on the Super Bowl Breakfast, he shared, “It felt great to be recognized… this was a big deal.” Dressed in Southern University attire, the students were proud to represent their university. “It was like we were celebrities. Alumni and guests wanted to take pictures with us,” Anthony recalled.
Dr. Rosalynn Thyssen, an assistant professor and remediation specialist, has witnessed SUSON’s impact firsthand. She noted an increase in male nursing students and credited social media for elevating the program’s visibility. She also emphasized the benefits of smaller class sizes, which allow faculty to form close relationships with students. Many, including herself, are SUSON graduates who returned to teach. “We loved our experience so much that we wanted to come back,” she said.
With an 85.5% NCLEX pass rate, SUSON continues to set a high standard in nursing education. Dr. Thyssen, faculty advisor for the Southern University Student Nursing Association, highlighted the program’s outreach efforts, with students mentoring children as young as Pre-K to consider nursing careers. “We want our message to be: you don’t have to be a basketball or football player; you can be a nurse and have a great career,” said Dr. Thyssen.
With national recognition and incredible opportunities, Southern University’s School of Nursing remains committed to its mission of serving the underserved and overlooked.
