Nursing - Saint Francis University Nursing Department History
How long have you been educating nursing students?
The need for a baccalaureate program leading to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing was evidenced through a feasibility study conducted by the university administration in 1978 and 1979.
In July of 1980, the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing gave full initial approval to the nursing curriculum, and the first class of nursing students was admitted in the Fall of 1980. Full approval was granted by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing in the Fall of 1984. The first nursing class graduated in 1984. The Class of 2006 is the 22nd graduating class.
In March of 1987, the Board of Trustees approved an R.N. to B.S.N. track within the B.S.N. program for registered nurses. In 1996, the Department of Nursing initiated the R.N. to B.S.N. articulation plan.
In 1997, the School Nurse Certification Program, a post-baccalaureate program consisting of four master's level courses, was approved by the College and by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
In 2001, the Saint Francis University Nursing Department announced the award of accreditation of the baccalaureate program by The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) for the ten year period, 2001-2011.
In 2006, the Nursing Department passed it's mid-cycle report (5 year) from the CCNE and continues with it's accreditation.
In 2009, the Nursing Department hired a new Department Chairperson, Dr. Lisa Devineni along with four new faculty. Mrs. Cindy Drenning, Mrs. Kim Forst, Mrs. Heather VItko and Mrs. Camille Wendekier. Mrs. Trevah Panek and Dr. Jean Samii continue to serve as nursing faculty.
The Department most recently celebrated a 100% pass rate for the Class of 2009 on their State Board RN licensure exam.