When Carolyn Moglia receives her diploma this May, she will be part of the first graduating class from St. John’s University’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. The nursing program began in 2022 to address the rising need for healthcare professionals worldwide.
“In the beginning, I wasn’t sure whether I was certain about becoming a nurse or where I was heading in life,” Moglia said. “The more time I spent with my peers and our amazing faculty, the more I realized the path ahead of me.”
Moglia described how students were included in shaping their education from the start. “As a new program, we have always been included in decisions about our education, and our faculty value our opinions,” she explained. “Everyone is willing to help and support one another through hard times. I know that my peers and faculty will always have my back, no matter what.”
Initially, the cohort did not have a permanent facility and moved between campus spaces until the St. Vincent Health Sciences Center opened.
During her sophomore year, Moglia lost her father—a moment that deeply affected her academic journey. “I honestly didn’t know if I could power through the end of that semester, let alone the two years I had left in the program,” she recalled. “My friends and faculty were so full of love and support. Several of my professors even came to his wake to support me. To this day, some of them still pull me aside and check on me if they notice I’m down or having a rough day.” She added: “My dad always wanted me to be a nurse, and I keep going to make him proud, but also because of the amazing support system I have behind me.”
Currently working as a Nursing Assistant at Cohen Children’s Medical Center in New Hyde Park, NY, Moglia was recently recognized with a DAISY Award for excellence in nursing care.
“It was an amazing honor for me. It showed that I have made an impact on someone’s life, and that makes me want to continue my journey to become a nurse,” she said. “Hopefully, one day I will be a pediatric intensive care unit nurse, just like the nurses who nominated me for this award.”
As graduation approaches, Moglia feels ready for professional practice after gaining experience during her studies at St. John’s University.
“They always say that until you’ve worked a real 12-hour shift as a nurse, you can’t really know what it’s like,” she admits, “but I’m excited to take everything I’ve learned over the past four years and put it into practice.”
St. John’s University operates as a Catholic and Vincentian institution dedicated to liberal arts education according to its official website. The university supports multicultural initiatives locally and globally through various centers and institutes as detailed online. Its main campuses are located in Queens and Manhattan with additional international sites in Rome, Paris and Limerick. The university offers over 100 undergraduate programs across six schools per its website.
Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P., has served as president of St. John’s University according to official information.
