College Of Nursing Description and History

The heritage of the College of Nursing dates back to 1885, when the College's first antecedent, St. Luke's Hospital Training School of Nursing, opened to offer diploma education to nurses. In 1903, the Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing accepted its first students. From 1956 to 1968 nurses were taught at the merged Presbyterian-St. Luke's School of Nursing. Before the establishment of the College of Nursing in 1972, more than 7,500 nurses had graduated from these schools. Today, over 150 baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral nursing students graduate each year.

The College of Nursing received accreditation from the National League of Nursing from November 1975 through June 1999. The most recent accreditation, done by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), was in 1999. The College was accredited for ten years through 2009, the maximum granted by CCNE.

Programs are offered in nursing from the baccalaureate through the doctoral levels. The first bachelor's and master's degrees were awarded in 1975; the first Doctor of Nursing Practice science degree was awarded in 1980; the first Doctor of Nursing Practice degree was awarded in 1990.

College of Nursing Seal and Nursing Pin Description

The College of Nursing Seal was designed originally to represent the College of Nursing on the University Scepter. A committee appointed by Dean Christman worked with Dr. Steven Economou to create the Scepter and design the seals of the various colleges.

The Seal is circular in design with the inscription RUSH UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF NURSING around the outside. The interior of the Seal is a shield divided into four sections. Each section combines the design of one of the three nursing programs offered in the past as well as the present symbol for Rush University Medical Center.

The lower left section shows the book and cross of the St. Luke's School of Nursing pin. The pin is gold with a blue Latin cross and open book with rays emitting from behind the cross. The cross is a symbol of sacrifice, the rays are symbolic of the light of the world through Christianity; the heart of compassion; the book, of the Scriptures. The Scripture reference, St. Luke, Chapter X, Verse 9, reads 'And heal the sick that are therein, and say, the kingdom of God has come nigh unto you.'

The lower right section depicts the Presbyterian School of Nursing pin. The pin is dark blue and gold with a fleur-de-lis; symbol of life, and the initials of the school.

The upper right section shows the Latin cross of the Presbyterian-St. Luke's Hospital School of Nursing. The shape of the pin is the quatrefoil, which is floral in origin. It also combines the shapes of the two schools merged to form one. The horizontal and vertical ovals symbolize this union. The four petals denote the four cardinal virtues; justice, prudence, temperance, and fortitude. The Latin cross with rays of light issuing from the center is blue, which denotes truth and loyalty. The effect of the overall design is that of a window through which one glimpse the rayed cross signifying life, sacrifice, and service.

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