The W celebrates 50 years of nursing
The College of Nursing and Health Sciences at Mississippi University for Women will celebrate 50 years of nursing Friday, Nov. 10.
Beginning at 3 p.m., the college will offer tours of Martin Hall, simulation demonstrations and viewings of historic videos and photos. An alumni cocktail party will follow the building tours; RSVP is encouraged.
“Throughout these 50 years, we have been at the forefront of innovation, adapting to the evolving needs of healthcare and shaping the future of nursing. Our graduates have served as compassionate caregivers, advocates, educators, researchers and leaders, making a difference in the lives of countless individuals and families. May we continue to inspire, innovate and lead the way in nursing for the next 50 years and beyond,” said Nora Miller, university president.
Originally located in the Reneau Hall, the School of Nursing’s inaugural class contained 55 associate’s degree graduates. In 1974, the program moved to Shattuck Hall and welcomed classrooms, a skills lab and equipment donated by hospitals. The program would later move to Taylor Hall to accommodate the growth, then to today’s home, Martin Hall, in 2006.
In 1975, the college admitted the first graduate student and would graduate the first graduate student in August of 1976 with a master of science in nursing degree. In 1983, the Board of Trustees State Institutions of Higher Learning transferred to The W responsibility for the RN to BSN Advanced Placement Program, located in Tupelo. in the summer of 2023, The W’s RN-to-BSN program began to offer a part-time option to allow nurses with an associate’s degree to receive a bachelor’s degree in five semesters through a fully online option. Additionally, in 2023, the college launched four innovative certificate programs designed to provide healthcare professionals and others with the opportunity to concentrate on specific patient populations and advance their knowledge base.
“The W nursing programs have a rich history of excellence in nursing that continues still today. We look forward to taking the opportunity to celebrate all of the accomplishments of our alumni, faculty, and staff for the past 50 years. It is truly a milestone,” said Dr. Brandy Larmon, dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences.
Today, The W graduates and produces more students who become licensed nurses and remain in the State of Mississippi than any other institution in Mississippi. The College of Nursing and Health Sciences instructs 675 students, from pre-nursing to doctoral-level students and employs 74 nursing faculty members. The W currently holds a 99% three-year NCLEX-RN pass rate and an eight-to-one student faculty ratio.
The College of Nursing and Health Sciences continues to be recognized for excellence. Earlier this year, NursingProgress.org ranked all of The W’s undergraduate nursing programs as No.1 in the state and additionally named the ASN (No.2), BSN (No.4) and RN-BSN (No.5) in the Best of the Southeast Region ranking in their respected category. In 2022. The W received a top score of 99.56 and was named the Best Nursing School in the state of Mississippi – ADN, BSN, MSN, according to RegisteredNursing.org. Recently, Niche.com ranked The W as the best college for nursing in the state, and it was ranked 18th out of 774 nationally.
To RSVP, please email: nursingreception@muw.edu