Abbreviations used in the finding aid include the following:
CN: Rutgers College of NursingHEW: U.S. Department of Health,
Education & WelfareHHS: U.S. Department of Health &
Human ServicesNLN: National League for NursingRN: Registered NurseSN: Rutgers School of Nursing UMDNJ: University of Medicine and
Dentistry of New Jersey1941Rutgers University Colleges in Newark and Camden offered courses
to professional nurses in the field of public health.1946Rutgers absorbed the University of Newark, renaming it the
Newark College of Arts and Sciences. The University of Newark had established a
Division of Nursing in 1943 that offered a one-semester pre-clinical program.
1947Jurisdiction of pre-clinical nursing courses was placed in
University Extension.1949The pre-clinical program was extended to two semesters.1951As a result of lobbying by the New Jersey Board of Nursing,
the New Jersey State Nurses' Association and the New Jersey League for Nursing,
$120,000 in state Civil Defense funds was granted for the development of the
following nursing programs at Rutgers: 1. a four-year baccalaureate program that did not require
previous nursing experience, the first of its kind in the state; 2. a two-year experimental program, the first of its kind
in the nation (three-year programs were the norm); 3. a baccalaureate program for registered graduate nurses;
and 4. a pre-clinical Preparation to Nursing program for
students enrolled in hospital schools of nursing.To administer the new programs, the University created the
Division of Nursing Education, as one of four divisions of the Newark College
of Arts and Sciences, moving it from the Division of Natural Sciences. Ella V.
Stonsby, a faculty member since 1946, was named director of the
Division.1952In July, the first six students were admitted to the two-year
experimental program. In September, the first ten students were admitted to the
four-year baccalaureate degree program. 1953The Division of Nursing Education became the School of Nursing.
1954The New York State Examining Board approved registration of the
two-year experimental program as an Associate Degree program. Five students
graduated in October with the A.S. degree, the first two-year degree awarded by
Rutgers.1955The School of Nursing received accreditation for its programs
from the National League for Nursing; its two-year program was the first in the
country to receive full accreditation.Faculty increased from three full and one part-time member to
24 full-time members.1956The School of Nursing became the College of Nursing.The eight-year design of nursing education was implemented, a
"career ladder" of four two-year blocks. All students were admitted into the
associate degree program, to continue into the baccalaureate, masters and
doctorate programs, with the option of exiting at the two-year interval that
fulfilled their career goals.The Mental Health Institute of the U.S. Department of Health,
Education and Welfare awarded a $260,000 grant to implement a graduate program
in psychiatric nursing, the first of its kind in the nation.The pre-clinical program was dropped.1957The College of Nursing Department of Student Life and the
Alumni Association were formed. Because of growing space needs, faculty offices and some
classrooms moved from 40 Rector Street to 18 James Street (one of the
Ballantine mansions) in Newark.1959Faculty agreed to continue the eight-year design of nursing
education for a trial period of five years (through 1963/64). The Graduate
Courses of Study Committee began developing a proposal for a nursing Ph.D.
program to complete the final two years of the program.The first dormitory housing (for 15 students) was established
in a renovated building at 21 and 25 James Street, Newark.1961Additional housing was provided for 10 students at 381 Broad
Street in Newark (the Colonnade Park apartments).1962Housing at James Street was ended, and all resident students
were placed in dormitories at 351-381 Broad Street.1963Ella V. Stonsby stepped down as Dean.The eight-year design of nursing education was discontinued.
In September, the last class was admitted to the Associate Degree
program.1964L. Bernice Chapman was named the second dean of the Rutgers
College of Nursing.A generic baccalaureate program was instituted, and the first
students were admitted.The Continuing Education Program for Nurse Practitioners was
established. 1967Offices and faculty moved to 87-91 Halsey Street,
Newark.1972The Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Program (the first joint
Rutgers College of Nursing/College of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey
program) was established. This was the first post-baccalaureate primary health
care program for nurses offered in New Jersey.1973Dean L. Bernice Chapman resigned.1974Eleanor Gray Knudson was appointed Dean.The Graduate Program in Nursing was expanded to include the
clinical specialties of parent-child, medical/surgical and community health
nursing.A new curriculum was instituted.The College of Nursing moved to 392 High Street in
Newark.1976Dean Eleanor Gray Knudson resigned.A Masters Program in Advanced Psychiatric Nursing was offered
on the New Brunswick campus. 1977Beverly H. Bowns was appointed dean. 1979New departments were created: Primary Care Nursing, Acute Care
Nursing and Chronicity Nursing. Learning modules were developed as a
semi-independent study teaching tool for registered nurse
baccalaureates.1980A registered nurse baccalaureate program was established on the
New Brunswick campus. 1981Beverly H. Bowns resigned as dean, but remained with the
College as a faculty member. Dorothy DeMaio was named dean. 1988On November 11, the Ph.D. program in nursing was approved by the
Rutgers Board of Governors. 1989On March 17, the Ph.D. program in nursing, the first in New
Jersey, was approved by the New Jersey Board of Higher Education.1990The graduate program in nursing was extended to the Camden
campus.From the guide to the Inventory to the Records of the Rutgers University College of Nursing Office of the Dean, 1952-1994, (Rutgers University Libraries. Special Collections and University Archives.)