About Our Lady of Lourdes School of Nursing

The Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, New York began to plan the school of nursing in 1956. His Excellency, Bishop Justin J. McCarthy, presided at the ground-breaking ceremony on June 8, 1959. The first class of student nurses was accepted in January, 1961.

Our Lady of Lourdes School of Nursing is the only source of Catholic nursing education in southern New Jersey.

Our Lady of Lourdes School of Nursing was accredited by the National League for Nursing in 1966 and has maintained this accreditation status.

In 1980, approval was given by the New Jersey Department of Higher Education for a Cooperative Program. The Cooperative program gives every student in the School of Nursing the opportunity to earn a Diploma in Nursing and, simultaneously, earn an Associate in Science degree from Camden County College. All students are eligible to participate fully in all student activities at the college and have the same rights and privileges as all other college students.

The program is designed to continue the strong clinical component at the School of Nursing and to strengthen this component with a strong academic background in the social, physical and biological sciences.

Graduates of this Cooperative Program are eligible to apply for the State Board examinations for Registered Nurse Licensure and to enter into baccalaureate nursing programs with transfer credit.

The Philosophy of Our Lady of Lourdes School of Nursing expresses the faculty's beliefs about education, nursing, nursing education, individuals, health, and the responsibility of the school to the student and the community. This philosophy provides the foundation for the total program.

Education is a dynamic, interactive, life-long learning process. The faculty facilitates education through the development and implementation of a curriculum in which both the teacher and learner are active participants. Learning takes place in an environment of mutual respect and trust. It is manifested by growth in cognitive, affective, and psychomotor behavior.

Nursing is a caring profession, which uses concepts, theory, practice and research to assist the individual in a holistic manner to attain or maintain an optimum level of wellness. The nurse functions as caregiver, advocate, educator, and manager in primary, secondary and tertiary settings. Collaboration with other health care providers is integral to the practice of nursing in order to serve the individual, family, and community.

Nursing education is built on a strong theoretical background in the arts and sciences. This knowledge base provides the foundation for the practice of nursing.

Individuals are complex biopsychosocial, cultural and spiritual human beings with intrinsic value and inherent needs. They interact within their environment and follow relatively predictable developmental patterns.

Health is physical, social, psychological and spiritual wellness as perceived by the individual. Illness may occur when there is a deviation from health.

Our Lady of Lourdes School of Nursing is responsible for an educational program based on Christian principles, which prepares beginning professional nurses to be responsive to the health care needs of the consumer.

The diploma program in nursing education prepares the graduate for entry level practice of professional nursing. The emphasis on the clinical component, in addition to a broad knowledge base, prepares a graduate who exhibits clinical competence as a generalist. Our diploma program provides a foundation for further education. The quality of the nursing education program and the opportunity for professional advancement are enhanced through meaningful and productive interaction with other educational institutions and community health facilities.

GOAL

The goal of Our Lady of Lourdes School of Nursing is to prepare entry level professional nurses capable of practicing in a changing health care environment.

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of Our Lady of Lourdes School of Nursing is to provide an educational program based on Christian principles in accord with the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services. These principles contribute to the development of an individual who gives witness to the Gospel value of compassionate service by participating in the healing ministry exemplified by the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.

The mission statement of the school is in accord with Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center, Inc. The mission of Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center, sponsored by the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany, NY, is a community of people committed to the healing mission of Jesus. We strive for excellence in our stewardship to all. We are dedicated to serving our patients, their families, the community, and each other with dignity, love, and care in a simple, joyful, and hospitable manner.

Future Home of Our Lady of Lourdes School of Nursing

The cornerstone of the future expansion plan called for demolition of the medical center's existing School of Nursing Building located on the Vesper Boulevard side of the campus, and constructing a new state-of-the-art, 121,000-square-foot critical care tower on the same site, which will include the New School of Nursing on the 5^th floor.

Future Home of the School of Nursing

Will be located on the 5^th floor

The Lourdes School of Nursing and other offices been temporarily relocated during the construction phase, which began in early 2003. The present location of the School of Nursing is located adjacent to the St. Gregory Roman Catholic Church, 340 (A) East Evesham Ave, Magnolia, NJ. (Corner of Evesham Ave. & White Horse Pike) until construction is completed. The project is scheduled for completion in 2005.