Nightingale College Graduates Nearly 2,000 Nurses
Nightingale College, a pioneer in distance nursing education, is celebrating the graduation of 1,874 nursing students at its 2025 National Commencement Celebration on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, at the Mountain America Exposition Center in Sandy. With 632 graduates attending in person alongside more than 4,500 guests, the ceremony underscores the college's mission to create a relevantly skilled, readily available nursing workforce that is representative of the communities they serve and helps combat the national healthcare shortage.
The Nightingale student body exemplifies the changing face of health care. Data reveals an overwhelmingly diverse cohort (80% identify as a minority), comprised of experienced individuals (86% are 24 years or older) and dedicated to advancing their education to provide high-quality, culturally competent care.
"The only way we will solve the critical nursing shortage and close health equity gaps in Utah and beyond is by graduating high-quality, diverse nurses," said Jeffrey Olsen, Nightingale College president. "This commencement isn't just an acknowledgment of individual achievement; it's a celebration of thousands of future patients who will receive better care because of the dedication and perspective these graduates bring to the profession."
The college's full-distance learning model combines online instruction with localized hands-on clinical experiences, breaking down traditional barriers to nursing education. This approach enables nontraditional students — including working parents, career changers and veterans — to pursue nursing degrees without needing to relocate. Nightingale also doesn't have a waiting list for qualified applicants.
Event Details:
What: Nightingale College 2025 Commencement Celebration
When: Friday, Aug. 29, 2025 at 2 p.m. MT
Where: Mountain America Exposition Center, 9575 S. State St., Sandy, UT 84070
Media Contact
Paul Murphy
Nightingale College Public Relations Manager
(801) 971-7247
pmurphy@nightingale.edu