History and Background
Discussion of the possibility of a nursing program at St. Olaf College began in 1936. Further incentive was given several years later when the Evangelical Lutheran Church urged that one of the colleges sponsored by them take steps to develop a professional nursing program. In 1950, the college was selected to establish a nursing program. The first nursing class graduated in 1956.
In 1986, the Minnesota Intercollegiate Nursing Consortium (MINC) was established as a collaborative nursing program between the College of St. Catherine, Gustavus Adolphus College, and St. Olaf College. In 1992, the College of St. Catherine withdrew from the consortium and MINC continued with the two remaining member colleges. In 2014, the Board of Regents of St. Olaf College approved the dissolution of MINC following graduation of the Class of 2015. The re-establishment of an independent nursing program at St. Olaf College began with the Class of 2016.
Accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education was granted in October 2015 and continued in October 2020. The Minnesota Board of Nursing granted continuing approval of the nursing program in August 2021.
Why Choose the St. Olaf Nursing Program?
We are dedicated to our students and committed to preparing them for a successful, professional career in the nursing field. There are many reasons to choose the St. Olaf Nursing Program!
- Located in the small, beautiful college town of Northfield, Minnesota.
- The residential college experience while preparing as a professional nurse allows for a fun, balanced college life with participation in extracurricular activities offered by the college.
- We are a small program that fosters a personal connection between students and professors.
- Professors are nurse educators who teach across the curriculum – classroom, skills lab, simulation, and clinical experiences.
- New simulation center in 2019 – you can read more about the learning space here.
- Cadaver labs in science courses.
- Research opportunities.
- A variety of opportunities for clinicals, internships, 1:1 capstone experiences, and networking at healthcare agencies across the Twin Cities, Rochester, and rural hospitals and clinics.
- Many graduates, after working summer internships after their junior year in the major, secure positions that are waiting for them upon graduation.
- “Ole Nurses” are sought after and quickly become leaders in the healthcare field.
- 100% of our graduates who are seeking jobs have offers of employment prior to graduation.
Why Bachelor of Arts and not Bachelor of Science?
A Bachelor of Arts simply offers you more of the arts, not less of the sciences. You are still taking all of the required courses of a Bachelor of Science degree. With the addition of the arts, you are preparing yourself to be a nurse who can think deeply and critically about the complex needs of the patients a nurse serves.
Questions?
Please ask by emailing huehn@stolaf.edu. As a graduate of the nursing program at St. Olaf, a faculty member, and now department chair, I know the program well. If you would like to schedule a virtual meeting or phone call, include your available dates and times (please identify the time zone you are in) in your email to me and we will schedule an appointment.
Best wishes on your important journey to find a college fit!
With healthy regards,
Dr. Susan Huehn, PhD, RN
Nursing Department Chair