Central California Center for Excellence in Nursing
California State University, Fresno History of the School of Nursing
The 50s
- Department of Nursing established in College of Life Science, 1956.
- Norma Beckman appointed department chair in 1957; succeeded by Fannie Gardner in 1958
- Initial program consisted of 128 units in nursing, 62 units in nursing
- First class, 46 nursing majors, admitted Fall, 1958
- Lois Pisano, member of the first class, designed school logo and nursing pin.
- Students joined the Student Nurse Association of California; Kathleen Kalstrom served as president of local chapter
The 60s
- Proposal for a Master's of Science program in nursing submitted to Chancellor's Office; approved for implementation, Fall 1968, becoming the first department in the state college system to offer graduate education in nursing.
- Dorothy Maxson appointed first graduate program coordinator, succeeded by Molly Goldberg
- First option in graduate program: Psychiatric mental health nursing with role development as educator, clinical specialist, or administrator
- Annual nursing research colloquia initiated, mostly student presentations
- BSN program units increased from 128 to 130
- First class of BSN students graduated Spring 1962
- Rapid increase in full time enrollment: 325 students
- Alternate program designed for RN students
- First pinning ceremony held June 1962
- Initial NLN accreditation achieved in 1964.
- NIMH funding received for integration of mental health concepts in undergraduate curriculum
- Federal traineeship funds to enhance full time graduate study
Department relocated in to School of Professional Studies, 1966
The 70s
- Dr. Nani Rabago appointed graduate coordinator, 1971-1978: Dr. Patricia Kasmarik succeeded in 1979
- Changes in departmental leadership
- Fannie Gardner
- Dr. Mary Patterson
- Dr. John Martin (1 semester)
- Dr. Shirley Good
- Eleanore Greene (interim)
- Helen Sprengel
- Dr. Patricia Kissell
- General systems theory selected as conceptual framework
- Autotutorial and Skills Laboratory established in 1973 with federal Capitation funds.
- Overall planning by Sandi Kindell; renamed Nursing Resource Center in 1978.
- Computer laboratory added to NRC under leadership of Chris Banigan.
- Senior course in critical care nursing designed by Eleanor Stittich
The 80s
- Department Chairpersons
- Dr. Patricia Kissell
- Dr. Karen Nishio
- Dr. Pauline Kliewer
- Dr. Mary Ivan appointed graduate program coordinator; followed by Dr. Joan Fiorello Heron
- Eleanor Stittich, undergraduate program coordinator
- Over 700 nursing majors (includes premajors, undergraduate, and graduate students)
- 34 full time faculty and 24 part time faculty; increasing number of doctorally prepared faculty
- Implementation of Senior Focus (clinical interest selected by students) coordinator: Dr. Michael Russler
- Curriculum revision to improve sequencing of content from wellness to complex health needs
- Continued accreditation/approval of programs (BSN, MSN, School Nursing)
- MSN program units increased from 30 to 36 units (fall, 1988);
Initiation of pediatric and family nurse practitioner programs, funded by federal grant - Sigma Theta Tau International, Mu Nu Chapter, established on campus
- Development of innovative programs for second degree students, eg. Alpha program
The 90s
- Department Chairpersons
- Dr. Mariamma Mathai
- Dr. Ruth Wilmington
- Increased use of interdisciplinary and service learning
- Increased use of innovative teaching strategies to facilitate teaching-learning of diverse student population
- Emphasis on problem based learning, critical thinking and research
- Use of diverse clinical sites
- Integration of technology to facilitate teaching-learning processes
- Post-master's Nurse Practitioner Program approved by Board of Registered Nursing
- Curriculum revision to reflect complex societal health needs
- Emphasis on evidence-based practice
- Increased emphasis on health care needs of diverse groups
- Increased use of extramural funds for program development and support
The 2000s
- Department Chairpersons
- Dr. Mariamma Mathai
- Dr. Patricia Nuttall
- Dr. Michael Russler
- Dr. Cricket Barakzai
- Dr. F. Ndidi U. Griffin-Myers
- Approval/accreditation status of programs
- Baccalaureate in Nursing, including articulation program accredited by CCNE
- Master of Science in Nursing accredited by CCNE
- School of Nursing Credential Program, approved by Commission on Teacher Credentialing
- Post-Baccalaureate School Nurse Services Credential Program with MSN option approved by Commission on Teacher Credentialing and AACN
- Eleven full time doctorally prepared faculty; seven FT lecturers
- Song-Brown grant received to expand BSN and NP programs
- Curriculum emphasis on evidence based practice
- More than 250 FNP and PNP completed NP program from inception of program
- Marie Haddad, professor emeriti of nursing, bequeathed largest donation to date for scholarship program in nursing
- Nursing Alumni Chapter is among the largest chapters within the CSUF alumni groups
- Top Dogs
- Carol Smittcamp Copeland 2004
- Bette Rusk Keltner 2007
- Pamela Loewen - 2008