Newman University officials offer a proud salute to nursing program faculty, staff and students during National Nurses Week, May 6 – 12.
The nursing program at Newman is known throughout the region for the high quality of its academic and clinical instruction, and for the skills and commitment of its graduates. Newman nursing graduates are valued and sought after by employers because of their compassionate, caring attitude for their patients as well as their excellent nursing abilities.
“We are very proud of the nursing program here at Newman,” said Director of Nursing Teresa Vetter. “We have a top-notch faculty who are committed to providing the best education to students. Our nursing staff is equally committed to doing all they can to help faculty and students. And we attract the best nursing students in the area. I’m continually inspired by their interest in and commitment to nursing.”
The Newman School of Nursing and Allied Health traces its origins to the St. Francis Hospital School of Nursing, which came to the university in 1979 when the school needed a collegiate home because of increasing education requirements for state certification. Newman benefactor Marjorie “Marj” Chance, who served on both the St. Francis Lay Advisory Board and the Newman Board of Directors, played a crucial role in bringing the program to Newman.
Since that beginning the School of Nursing and Allied Health has grown to include some of the university’s most sought-after programs, including Nursing, Nurse Anesthesia, Healthcare Science, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Radiologic Technology, Respiratory Care and Sonography. Today, one-third of the university’s undergraduate student body is enrolled in nursing or allied health programs.
The Newman nursing program is a recognized leader. Over the past 10 years, Newman nursing graduates have consistently scored high on the National Council Licensure Examination and are highly sought-after for employment. In addition, Newman University ranked 15th in an article entitled “30 Great Small Colleges for an RN-BSN Degree” published in April 2015 by Best Master of Science in Nursing. Newman is the only Kansas institution to make the list.
Each year the American Nurses Association celebrates the many contributions and commitments of nurses throughout the country, and recognizes the important role nurses play in society. National Nurses Week always starts on May 6, which is designated by the U.S. Congress as National Nurses Day. It ends on May 12, which is the birthday of Florence Nightingale (May 12, 1820 – Aug. 13, 1910), who is considered the founder of modern nursing.
