1930s-40s

Villanova Bachelor of Science degree awarded to RNs through the Division of Nursing, College of Arts and Sciences, at Hallahan High School

1951

Sister M. Alma Lawler, RSM and Sister M. Margarella O’Neill, OSF appointed co-directors to develop Division of Nursing.

1953

Generic baccalaureate program in nursing for high school graduates started. First ten nursing students are admitted initiating the education of full-time undergraduate women on the campus. First female resident students are housed in Franciscan House of Studies, affectionately called “The Convent.”

1957

Nursing program receives initial accreditation from National League for Nursing. First six students graduate from the College of Nursing and awarded the BSN degree.

1960

Marion M Schrum, EdD, RN, becomes first dean of the College of Nursing. College of Nursing moves to St. Clare Hall.

1966

Installation of Alpha Nu as the 35th chapter of Sigma Theta Tau, nursing’s honor society.

1968

Dorothy R. Marlow, EdD, RN, becomes second dean of the College of Nursing. College of Nursing students reside in first residence hall for women on campus, Good Counsel Hall, called “New Dorm.” College of Nursing expands to St. Clare Annex (now Stone Hall).

1972

College of Nursing moves to St. Mary Hall.

1978

M. Louise Fitzpatrick, EdD, RN, FAAN (photo) becomes third dean of the College of Nursing. Margaret McClure, EdD, RN, FAAN is the first speaker at the Distinguished Lectureship in Nursing, initiated at College’s 25th Anniversary celebration.

1979

Program in Continuing Education for Nursing and Health Care established with federal funds under the direction of Assistant Dean Dr. Barbara Heller.

1980

Master’s Program in Nursing approved and developed with partial grant from the U.S. Public Health Service. Joan T. Large, EdD, RN is first director.

Villanova University awards first Presidential Scholarship to a nursing student – Mary Alice Rice, BSN ’84.

1982

First students graduate from MSN program.

First College of Nursing Medallion awarded to Ellen Cooper, BSN ’82.

1983

Master’s Program receives initial accreditation from National League for Nursing.

1984

Continuing Education Program receives initial accreditation from American Nurses Association.

Sandra Myers, BSN ’85, is first Villanova nursing student elected President of Student Nurses’ Association of Pennsylvania.

1985

Nursing Alumni Society founded.

1987

Community health administration component in Graduate Program established with a federal grant.

Cynthia Rich, BSN ’89 elected President of National Student Nurses’ Association.

1990

First College of Nursing Mass and Alumni Medallion Ceremony held in St. Mary Chapel.

Two-year continuing grant awarded by Federal Government for continued support of community health component of Graduate Nursing Program; continuing accreditation by the National League for Nursing.

1992

Opportunity for nursing students to study abroad through affiliation with Kings College, London, England. Michelle McInerney, BSN ’95, is the first to take part.

First international students enroll in MSN program from Jordan and the Palestinian West Bank.

1993

Grant awarded by Division of Nursing of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for initiation of Case Management option in MSN program.

The Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies provides support to establish Health and Human Values lecture series.

First student from the People’s Republic of China begins Master’s program.

First students from the Sultanate of Oman begin Master’s program.

College of Nursing conducts first summer institute for Japanese nursing students.

1995

College of Nursing conducts summer institute for Korean nurses.

College of Nursing co-sponsors 4th Middle East nursing conference in Irbid, Jordan with University of Windsor, Ontario and Jordan University of Science and Technology.

Students from Jordan, Oman, Lebanon, Peoples Republic of China, Botswana, and Taiwan are evidence of the College's appeal internationally.

College of Nursing becomes collaborating center for Operation Smile International.

1996

First nurse practitioner program established in Adult Nurse Practitioner studies.

1997

First Distance Learning initiative developed in the College.

Three-year federal grant establishes Nurse Anesthesia component in Graduate Program.

1998

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner option established in Graduate Program.

Students begin practicing health promotion at the Augustinian mission in Chulucanas, Peru.

College of Nursing receives three-year grant from Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation for Health Promotion for Women with Disabilities Project.

1999

First twenty RN students from Oman complete their BSN degrees at Villanova.

College of Nursing co-sponsors first International Nursing Conference in Beirut, Lebanon with University of Michigan and American University of Beirut.

Graduate option in Health Care Administration, in collaboration with College of Commerce and Finance (presently, the Villanova School of Business), enrolls its first students.

Villanova nursing student, Jenny Yost, BSN ’00 elected President of Student Nurses’ Association of Pennsylvania.

Four Villanova nursing students spend their sophomore year of study at the University of Manchester in England.

Geriatric Nurse Practitioner option established in Graduate Program.

2000

College of Nursing granted preferred status by U.S. Army ROTC – the only non-host school in country to gain this designation.

Continuing accreditation by the National League for Nursing. Initial accreditation granted by Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education for Baccalaureate and Master’s Degree Programs in Nursing.

2001

College of Nursing increases use of electronic teaching models.

College of Nursing receives extension of grant from Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation for Health Promotion for Women with Disabilities Project.

2002

Establishment of Doctoral Program in Nursing approved, pending funding, by University Board of Trustees.

2003

The Connelly Foundation announced an endowment of $4,000,000 to the College of Nursing on the occasion of its 50th Anniversary which was celebrated on April 26, 2003. This gift established an endowed deanship in the College of Nursing and provides resources for program and faculty development, technology related to nursing studies and Connelly-Delouvrier scholarships to help support nursing students with international and multi-cultural learning experiences.

Fourteen-month second degree program option, BSNExpress, admits first students.

2004

Inaugural class of 12 doctoral students begins the new PhD in Nursing program on June 1, 2004.

College of Nursing is one of only three schools in the nation to receive the new designation 'Center of Excellence in Nursing Education' from the National League for Nursing on October 1st.

2005

College of Nursing co-sponsors international scientific nursing conference in Beirut, Lebanon with American University of Beirut and the University of Michigan, University of Pennsylvania and University of California, San Francisco.

Graduate Nursing Program celebrates its 25th anniversary during the 2005-2006 academic year.
 

2006

Graduate Nursing Program celebrates the 10th anniversary of its Adult Nurse Practitioner track during the 2006-2007 academic year.

Site for new College of Nursing building announced in June by University President Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA. Building will be constructed on central campus on former softball field next to Health Services Building and behind Sullivan Hall.
 

2007

Construction started on new building site on March 1.

The College's inaugural Board of Consultors convenes March 24.

2008

Dean Fitzpatrick celebrated for her 30 years of leadership at the College of Nursing.

Bonnie Baloga-Altieri, a member of the inaugural doctoral class, becomes first to
graduate with PhD.