St. Francis Medical
Center School of Nursing has been educating nurses for over 100 years.
In 1905 when nursing schools were still a brand new idea in America,
the Third Order of the Sisters of St. Francis received a charter from
the State of New Jersey to establish a "TRAINING SCHOOL FOR NURSES
OF SAINT FRANCIS HOSPITAL." The seven students who comprised
the first class, and their teachers were indeed pioneers in this avant
garde venture.
St. Francis School of Nursing stands as evidence of
the Sisters of St. Francis' long commitment to quality education for
nursing students. Under the leadership of Sister Hyacintha, the School
was organized and chartered by the State of New Jersey in 1905. The
first class, seven women, graduated in 1908. Miss Anna Cunningham
was the first director of the School, which was registered by the
New Jersey Board of Nursing in 1912. Originally housed in the hospital,
the School moved to the educational building on St. Francis Avenue
in 1925. Classes were admitted annually except between the years of
1944 and 1948 when there were double class entrances.
In 1956, St. Francis School of Nursing became the first
School of Nursing in the area to be accredited by the National League
for Nursing. The program remained three years in length until 1964
when a two-year program was instituted.
During 1964, there were two graduating classes. The
School, which formerly provided residence facilities, became a commuter-only
school in 1978. The purchase of college credits for non-nursing courses
was initiated in 1980 and provided the graduates with thirty transferable
college credits and a diploma in professional nursing.
In 1998, the School developed a cooperative nursing
agreement with Mercer County Community College. In the cooperative
program, graduates earn an Associate in Science Degree from Mercer
County Community College and a Diploma in Nursing from St. Francis
School of Nursing.
Email: sfmcson@StFrancisMedical.org
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