History & Mission
History
The Conway School of Nursing traces its beginnings to the summer of 1932, when The Catholic University of America for the first time offered a group of professional courses in nursing education. Because of the demand, the work was continued during the following academic year, and in April 1933 the Board of Trustees authorized a curriculum leading to the degree Bachelor of Science in Nursing Education. The first degree was conferred in 1934. The Division of Nursing Education, which offered this program, was approved for active membership in the Association of Collegiate Schools of Nursing in June 1935. The Division of Public Health Nursing, offering a curriculum leading to the baccalaureate degree, was initiated in September 1935. In November 1935, the Board of Trustees accepted the recommendation of Bishop James Hugh Ryan that the two divisions be organized as one of the professional schools of the university. The programs of study leading to the degrees of Bachelor of Science in Nursing Education and Bachelor of Science in Public Health Nursing were approved. The school was subsequently expanded to include basic professional nursing in addition to the program for registered nurses. In 1939 the Providence Hospital School of Nursing, Washington, D.C., became the Providence Division of the School of Nursing Education and during the next decade gradually moved toward complete identification with the university. In 1949 the university assumed full responsibility for the undergraduate program.
In 1951 the degree of Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) was introduced. The current program prepares nurses for leadership positions in nursing. A doctoral program leading to the degree Doctor of Nursing Science (D.N.Sc) was initiated in 1968. It was one of the first of its kind in the country to prepare nurse scientists for leadership roles in research, education, and health care administration.
In the spring of 2006, the D.N.Sc. program was transitioned to a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) program. The focus of the Ph.D. program remains on clinical investigation and development of nurse scientists who can assume leadership positions in many different areas. In 2007 the school added a Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) program that prepares nurses for leadership in advanced nursing practice including the roles of nurse practitioner and nursing and health services administration.
The school is recognized for its preparation of excellent nurse clinicians and leaders who are grounded in faith and committed to improving the care of the most vulnerable among us.
All academic programs are fully accredited and approved by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and other appropriate external review bodies.
Mission
Strengthened by a rich heritage of Catholic teachings and Christian values, the Conway School of Nursing prepares professionally educated nurses to engage in and transform nursing practice, leadership, education, and research. Fostering a profound sense of vocation in nursing, we provide compassionate and ethical care, respecting the dignity of every person. We are committed to the advancement of nursing knowledge through moral reasoning, scientific inquiry and other scholarly activity