Rutgers University. College of Nursing. Dean's Office.

Biographical notes:

Abbreviations used in the finding aid include the following:

CN: Rutgers College of Nursing HEW: U.S. Department of Health, Education & Welfare HHS: U.S. Department of Health & Human Services NLN: National League for Nursing RN: Registered Nurse SN: Rutgers School of Nursing UMDNJ: University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey 1941 Rutgers University Colleges in Newark and Camden offered courses to professional nurses in the field of public health. 1946 Rutgers 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. 1947 Jurisdiction of pre-clinical nursing courses was placed in University Extension. 1949 The pre-clinical program was extended to two semesters. 1951 As 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. 1952 In 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. 1953 The Division of Nursing Education became the School of Nursing. 1954 The 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. 1955 The 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. 1956 The 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. 1957 The 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. 1959 Faculty 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. 1961 Additional housing was provided for 10 students at 381 Broad Street in Newark (the Colonnade Park apartments). 1962 Housing at James Street was ended, and all resident students were placed in dormitories at 351-381 Broad Street. 1963 Ella 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. 1964 L. 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. 1967 Offices and faculty moved to 87-91 Halsey Street, Newark. 1972 The 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. 1973 Dean L. Bernice Chapman resigned. 1974 Eleanor 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. 1976 Dean Eleanor Gray Knudson resigned. A Masters Program in Advanced Psychiatric Nursing was offered on the New Brunswick campus. 1977 Beverly H. Bowns was appointed dean. 1979 New 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. 1980 A registered nurse baccalaureate program was established on the New Brunswick campus. 1981 Beverly H. Bowns resigned as dean, but remained with the College as a faculty member. Dorothy DeMaio was named dean. 1988 On November 11, the Ph.D. program in nursing was approved by the Rutgers Board of Governors. 1989 On March 17, the Ph.D. program in nursing, the first in New Jersey, was approved by the New Jersey Board of Higher Education. 1990 The 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.)

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