The University of Northern Iowa held a White Coat Ceremony for its third cohort of nursing students on Saturday, Sept. 13. This milestone took place in UNI’s Lang Hall as part of Family Weekend with loved ones and faculty members cheering on the cohort in the audience. For the first time, 62 students donned a white coat and took the nursing oath, signifying their entry into UNI’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. 

“I chose nursing at UNI because of the new technologies and the brand-new building,” said first-year BSN student Maggie Archer, noting UNI’s cutting-edge equipment and newly renovated spaces, with a third phase under development on track to open over the winter. Using state-of-the-art and the highest fidelity medical simulators, nursing students gain experience to help them graduate ready to tackle the challenges of the modern health care environment.

In addition to the resources the program offers students, aspiring nurses get personalized attention from UNI faculty thanks to smaller class sizes. “I wanted something a little bit smaller and to be able to be more connected with all the other students and all of the teachers,” said Jackson Jaspers, a freshman.

Members of the first two white coat ceremonies also attended to serve as ushers and support their new classmates. “I chose the UNI nursing program because it’s close to home, and I am paving the way for future nurses to go to UNI,” said Indee Grassley, a second-year nursing student.

UNI established its standalone BSN program in fall 2024 beginning with just 25 students. One year later, the program has quadrupled growth with 107 students now enrolled, exceeding initial projections. 

In addition to working with nursing instructors and high-tech tools on the UNI campus, the inaugural cohort is currently completing clinical rotations at hospitals in the Cedar Valley.