Introduction from Student Catalog
History In 1885, the All Saints Hospital was opened at Tenth and Campbell Streets, with a training school for nurses established in 1887. Saint Luke's Hospital was declared the legal successor of All Saints Hospital in 1903, and in 1903, the School of Nursing was established with three students under the direction of Miss Eleanor Keely. Miss Virginia Pate was the first graduate of the diploma program in 1906. The 1920's brought many changes to the School of Nursing including relocation to a new hospital and a nurses' residence at the present site, which was then Mill Creek and 44th Street. A four-story building was erected in 1946 to accommodate classrooms, laboratories, library, offices, and residence space for approximately 200 students. The library was moved to the Helen F. Spencer Center for Education in 1972, and the student residence was relocated to 4545 Washington Street in 1987. The development of Saint Luke's College began during the 1985-86 academic year when the faculty of Saint Luke's Hospital School of Nursing made an in-depth study of the issues and challenges facing nursing education in the twenty-first century. Students' and graduates' reactions regarding the nationwide movement of nursing toward baccalaureate education, and the support of the Alumni Association were instrumental in establishing a plan for a program granting a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. The first class of students was admitted in fall of 1991 for baccalaureate nursing education at Saint Luke's College. In 1992, the final class graduated from the diploma program with 3,047 students receiving their nursing diploma from Saint Luke's Hospital School of Nursing. As of 2001, nine classes have completed coursework resulting in 407 graduates from the degree program. Students Students at Saint Luke's College are a diverse group. They vary in age, gender, ethnicity, educational backgrounds, and family and personal responsibilities. The unique characteristics, abilities, aptitudes, and life experiences of each individual enhance the student body. The caliber of students who attend Saint Luke's College is reflected in a retention rate of greater than 90 percent, and a pass rate on the state board examination in excess of 95 percent. The baccalaureate nursing education will provide graduates with the basis for further education and advanced practice. Faculty The nursing education program at Saint Luke's College enjoys a rich heritage of professional education for the ever-changing and emerging health care arena. The faculty is recognized as the cornerstone of the educational program. It is their clinical and educational expertise, leadership, and progressive forethought that continues to be the underpinning for the nursing education program at Saint Luke's College. The faculty, as role models and facilitators of the learning process for students, are committed to the quality of education that is the hallmark of Saint Luke's nursing education. Each faculty member has clinical nursing experience, and several currently practice in their clinical specialty area in addition to having teaching responsibilities. All faculty participate in continuing education relative to their teaching assignments. Faculty are frequently presenters at research and practice symposiums, and scholarly activities are demonstrated by publications for professional journals, grant writing, and participation in professional organizations.