Where Rankings Matter Most

In March, we learned that the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing will retain its U.S. News & World Report ranking as the No. 1 accredited graduate nursing program in the nation for 2020. The Doctor of Nursing Practice Program also moved up to No. 1, following a No. 1 ranking for our online programs.

This is great and welcome news. I think those Hopkins Nurses who launched this institution 130 years ago would be proud of this phenomenal and unprecedented achievement in our school’s history. And so are we—of the leadership of our faculty, students, staff, and alumni, and of our commitment to excellence in all areas of nursing education, research, and practice.

As many of you have heard me say, we must remember that being No. 1 comes with great responsibility. It’s not simply about the ranking. It is more about what we can do as No. 1 in serving and speaking boldly, in embracing technology and innovation, and in working together with other schools of nursing, our interprofessional health care colleagues, and across health care institutions to advance our profession. When we collaborate, we all win.

It’s fitting with our No. 1 ranking that the stories you’ll find in this issue reflect the power, voice, and impact of Hopkins Nursing. As always, I am honored to be dean of such an amazing school. So, let’s all take a moment to be proud, reflect upon what got us here, and then get right back to work!