HISTORY OF THE SCHOOL OF NURSING
St. Joseph Hospital officially opened its doors to patients in
May 1908.
At the same time, a school for “professional” nursing was established and
in 1910 it graduated the first class of four. The original RN program was discontinued in
1963.
In 1964, after studying community needs, St. Joseph Hospital established a practical nursing program. In the state of New Hampshire, the practical nurse works under the direction of an RN or physician.
The need for practical nurses in today’s changing health care environment is greater than it has ever been.
St. Joseph School of Nursing Practical
Nursing Program is fully accredited by the National League for Nursing
Accrediting Commission, Inc. having received the League’s longest approval rating of eight years in
March 2004. In addition, the
practical nursing program is fully approved by the
New Hampshire Board of
Nursing
and licensed by the New
Hampshire Postsecondary Education Commission.
Present enrollment in the practical nursing program is approximately 75
students.
In addition, the School offers an Associate of Science in Nursing degree program
beginning in September of each year, as well as a transition course
for licensed
practical nurses beginning
in May. The ASN program is fully approved by the
New Hampshire Board of
Nursing and has received initial licensure from the New
Hampshire Postsecondary Education Commission.
St.
Joseph School of Nursing is accredited by the
Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). The Accrediting Commission of Career
Schools and Colleges of Technology is listed by the
U.S. Department of Education
as a nationally recognized accrediting agency.
Present enrollment in the Associate of Science in Nursing program is
approximately 50 students in the freshmen and senior classes.
The
percentage of St. Joseph graduates who pass state board examinations for
licensure on their first attempt is above the national average.
Copyright 2010 St. Joseph
School of Nursing
