Fifty Years of Excellence in Nursing 

For fifty years, the Nursing program at SUNY Polytechnic Institute has been a leader in healthcare education, growing from a visionary initiative in the 1970s to a fully established School of Nursing within the College of Health Sciences.

SUNY Poly’s nursing roots trace back to the 1960s, when community leaders sought a path for diploma and associate degree nurses to earn their BS. In 1974, an “innovative nursing program” was approved, and by 1978, the first BS class graduated. Despite challenges in the 1980s that threatened its existence, alumni and faculty advocacy ensured the program’s survival. 

The program expanded in the following decades, establishing regional outreach sites, pioneering early uses of telecast technology for remote learning, and launching graduate and doctoral programs. Landmark initiatives, such as the 1-2-1 partnership with St. Elizabeth’s College of Nursing, became national models for nursing education. In 2022, the introduction of the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) solidified SUNY Poly’s commitment to advancing nursing education. 

Programs within the School of Nursing recently received initial accreditation and reaccreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and consistently boast high rankings. 

Join Us for a Special Celebration 

SUNY Polytechnic Institute invites alumni, faculty, students, and community members to a 50th Anniversary Press Conference celebrating the Nursing program’s legacy and future. 

📅 Date: Monday, March 24 
📍 Location: Student Center Multi-Purpose Room 
🕰️ Time:  11 a.m. 

Let’s celebrate the past, present, and future of nursing at SUNY Poly. We look forward to seeing you there! Details about the celebration will appear in the Fall 2025 edition of the Bridge Magazine.