Lincoln University is closing its nursing program, making the Class of May 2023 its last, write Wendy Ruderman and Abraham Gutman for The Philadelphia Inquirer. 

The historically Black college and university was the only one in Pennsylvania to offer a bachelor’s of science in nursing. When it was began in 2013, the program was hailed by the Lincoln administration as the endeavor that “will continue to propel us to new levels of excellence as we seek to be a resource to our region, state, and nation.” 

And even though the program was relatively small with an average of 15 graduates each year, it will be highly missed, as it served as a pipeline for Black nurses in the medical workforce that only has seven percent of registered nurses who are Black. 

Lincoln University President Brenda A. Allen noted that the program is being closed because the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education had withdrawn its accreditation. The main reason is the low number of Lincoln graduates who passed the national exam to become licensed nurses. 

“We still care deeply about health-care disparities,” said Lincoln’s Dean of Faculty Patricia Joseph. “We understand that we play a significant role in that.” 

Read more about Lincoln University in The Philadelphia Inquirer. 

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