When Julia Darlak, who had long been interested in the nursing field, shadowed nurses as a high school student, she was surprised to meet so many who had earned their collegiate nursing education, whether it was a bachelor’s degree in nursing or graduate study, from Immaculata University.

“I was inspired by their devotion to their patients’ holistic well-being and safety,” said Darlak, a member of Immaculata’s Class of 2024. “They poured so much love and generosity into their patients.”

She made it her goal to enter the nursing profession herself.

“What a gift it would be, as a nurse, to care not just for people’s bodies but for the whole person — their physical, mental, emotional, psychological, and spiritual needs,” she said.

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The baccalaureate degree program in nursing and master’s degree program in nursing at Immaculata University prepare students academically, socially, and spiritually to provide quality care within today’s complex healthcare systems.

Darlak toured Immaculata and knew she wanted to become a student there.

“I applied to other schools, but they were just back-ups,” she said. “I could tell right off the bat this was such a welcoming, beautiful community to be a part of. It’s so comforting to know that you’re not going to be hidden in a huge lecture hall.”

Some professors had checked in with her and asked if she was OK when they sensed she was struggling. Because of Immaculata’s small classes, “professors actually know you and your learning style,” she said. “I’m really inquisitive. And no one has ever said, ‘Julia, stop asking questions.’”

Darlak’s professors provided encouragement when she needed it.

“With nursing, you have lives in your hands,” she said. “At one time, I was terrified to make a mistake. It helped to just talk with my professors about it.”

Her instructors reassured her that errors are inevitable, and the nursing simulation labs are the place to practice. When Darlak and her classmates made mistakes, their professors gently corrected them without judgment — “just sincere concern and care that we become the best nurses possible,” she said.

With their help, she learned to be patient with herself, move on, and keep learning.

For Darlak’s Nursing Fundamentals course, assistant professor Suzanne Wurster gave the class the option of discussing test answers with her. Darlak thought she had done well on an exam, but when she got her grade back, she realized she hadn’t. Wurster helped the nursing student realize she was second-guessing her answers.

“Julia, you’re smart — just go with your gut!” Wurster told her.

“It was a very affirming, encouraging moment,” Darlak said. “(At Immaculata) you’ll meet such incredible friends, mentors, and role models who will set you on a great track. You grow when you challenge yourself and continue to persevere through things that aren’t easy.”

Immaculata maintains a focus on offering academic programs that meet the evolving needs of employers. Realizing that graduates do not want to be forever burdened by college debt, the university offers competitively priced and proven undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates to traditionally aged college students, advanced degree seekers, and adult and professional learners. In fact, Immaculata’s tuition rates are among the lowest in the Delaware Valley for private institutions.

With a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio, Immaculata enables students to receive personalized attention from caring faculty in a safe and welcoming environment. Rather than massive lecture halls and impersonal instruction, Immaculata provides right-sized learning environments that facilitate personal connections.

Additionally, with college students now having a greater demand for mental health resources, Immaculata offers counseling services and gives students access to professional help when they need it most.

Whether you’re a traditional, non-traditional, or transfer student, Immaculata offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate nursing programs that equip future nurses with the knowledge, clinical skills, and leadership skills needed to provide holistic, evidence-based patient care in a field in high demand.

The university also recently added a Family Nurse Practitioner track to its M.S.N. offerings. Immaculata’s nursing students achieved a remarkable 97.2 percent first-time pass rate on the registered nurse licensure exam, or NCLEX, in the 2022-23 academic year.

Interested in learning more about Immaculata University’s College of Nursing and Health Professions? Fill out the contact form below.