The 20 registered nurses receiving bachelor’s degrees in nursing from the University of Rhode Island Dec. 17 are pioneers of a sort. They are the first graduates of the College of Nursing’s online RN to BS program, the only one in the state offered by a public university.

The College congratulates nurses Angelita Hensman and Pamela McCue, who are pursuing their doctorates at the College through the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Future of Nursing Scholars program.

Beginning with the current academic year, we are privileged to welcome several new faculty members. Each brings impressive credentials, a strong commitment to nursing education and a desire to inspire our students to make a difference in health care.

The College hosted a Nursing Diversity Day during the University’s 20th Annual Diversity Week in September.

Professor Betty Rambur of the University of Rhode Island’s College of Nursing has been recognized by two national organizations for her work advancing the profession and for efforts addressing the cost and quality of health care.

The College of Nursing recently hosted Catharina Gillsjo. Ph.D., who was visiting from Sweden.

Every holiday season for many years, inmates at Rhode Island’s Department of Corrections Women’s Facilities in Cranston have received small gifts in colorful bags tied with ribbon. For many, the packages of travel-size toiletries are the only presents the women receive.

Rick Brooks, Rhode Island’s director of Healthcare Workforce Transformation, told nursing leaders gathered at the University of Rhode Island that higher education is the linchpin in the evolution of health care professions and the entire health care system.

Rachel Hobbs, a senior at the University of Rhode Island, spends time at Wyman School as part of her community clinical. During lunchtimes, she and school nurse Bernadette McDowell bring a “treasure chest” full of prizes like pencils, bubbles, necklaces and coloring books for kids who get caught eating healthy foods.