This week, Northeastern University formally opened its Fall River campus where it will expand its bachelor of science in nursing program. The university first announced its Fall River plans 11 months ago.

In a release from Northeastern, Saint Anne’s Hospital President and Chief Nursing Officer Carole Billington said the nationwide nursing shortage “is expected to intensify as our baby boomers age and the need for healthcare grows. We know that there are really motivated, enthusiastic learners in our community who want to become registered nurses.”

According to Northeastern, the Fall River program will host three 35-student cohorts each year. Students will learn in classrooms and experiential simulation labs as well as outside the traditional academic setting. They will have access to training labs provided by Bioskills of Northeastern along with hands-on experience through placements at Saint Anne’s Hospital.

University, hospital, and political officials attended a ribbon cutting on Wednesday.