Labouré Launches 'Care for the Future' Campaign to Eliminate Barriers to Nursing Education

Labouré College of Healthcare hosted 80 local healthcare industry leaders, elected officials, community partners, and neighbors during our Care for the Future campaign kickoff event on May 13th. Host committee members Michael Curry, Esq., Representative Richard Wells, and Nancy Gaden, DNP, RN NEA-BC, FAAN also spoke on the nursing and healthcare staffing crisis in Massachusetts, and the need to remove barriers to nursing education.  

There are thousands of local men and women who dream of caring for their communities. For many who are new to this country, struggle with English proficiency, or who lack a strong educational foundation, two things prevent them from joining the workforce: a lack of financial resources, and limited access to the academic tools they need to be successful in a rigorous nursing program. 

The Care for the Future campaign aims to raise funding as well as forge workforce and community partnerships to mitigate these financial and academic barriers to success. 

“We have a simple mission in not so simple times,” said Labouré College of Healthcare President Lily S. Hsu, EdD. “With federal funding cuts and uncertainty around higher education, healthcare, and services our students rely on, there is one thing Labouré can do, and that is increase access to well-paying careers for our students, giving them the opportunity to reach financial independence and security for themselves and their children.” 

Labouré provides the largest pipeline of associate-degree nurses to the Massachusetts workforce, graduating over 200 annually. While enrolled, 63% of students are at or approaching the poverty line set by the federal government. When they graduate, these students can nearly triple their income.  

Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer at Boston Medical Center Nancy Gaden, DNP, RN NEA-BC, FAAN shared her insight on what it means to be a nurse today. “Nursing is more than just the clinical skills,” said Gaden. “It is the art of truly seeing the person behind the patient, understanding their stories, and caring for them with dignity and respect. Labouré students are special when they come into our profession because they bring their whole rich history and perspective to their patients. They are empathetic, multicultural, talented, amazing people – and they are a gift to the nursing workforce.” 

Labouré graduates are changing the demographics of Greater Boston’s nursing workforce and mirroring Boston’s patient population on a scale unmatched by any program in New England.  

“A diverse nursing workforce directly improves the health of our local populations,” said Hsu. “Labouré graduates go on to fill needed positions, benefitting our students, the healthcare industry, and the millions of patients who will be served with compassion by nurses who look like them, understand their culture, and speak their language.” 

A key initiative of the Care for the Future campaign is establishing the Center for Nursing Excellence and Representation. The Center will expand the college’s current student support services by offering:   

• A new Vocational ESOL (English for Speaker of Other languages) program specifically designed for students in the nursing degree program   

• Expanded Tutoring and Mentoring services   

• Confidence building education, and   

• Standardized test practice   

Through the Center, Labouré will level the academic playing field for underserved and nontraditional adult learners entering healthcare professions.   

“Educational innovation to fill gaps in access to quality education is possible, and Labouré has proven in,” said Hsu. “The Care for the Future campaign is a call to action. We need to support these students now, so that they may care for us in the future.” 

In 2024, Labouré graduates had an RN licensure exam (NCLEX) pass rate of 91%. The Class of 2025 celebrated their Commencement Ceremony on May 31, 2025 and included 242 nurses as well as 43 clinicians across respiratory care, radiation therapy, and diagnostic monitoring.  

About Labouré College of Healthcare 

Established in 1892, Labouré College of Healthcare is home to the largest and longest-running nursing program in the Boston area. Our students are adults juggling courses with work and family commitments. More than 90% are from the local Greater Boston area, and they mirror the patient population of Boston on a scale unmatched by any nursing program in New England.  

Labouré is a private, independent, 501(c)3. Located in Milton, Massachusetts, the college offers bachelor, associate and certificate programs in nursing and healthcare both on-campus and online. Visit www.laboure.edu to learn more.