Nursing History

Approval for development of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at SVSU was granted by the Michigan Board of Education in 1975, and the Michigan Board of Nursing in 1976. Full approval by the Michigan Board of Nursing, requiring two graduating classes, was granted in 1980. National League for Nursing (NLN) accreditation was granted initially in 1982, retroactive to the first graduating class, with re-accreditation occurring in 1989 and 1997. The nursing program was accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) from 1997 through 2005 and is currently accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

The first class of the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program was admitted in 1988. Accreditation of that program was achieved in 1991, when the first class graduated and the program became eligible for that status. From that time to the present the program has consistently prepared nurses for advanced nursing practice roles in education and client care management. In 1996 nurse practitioner and clinical nurse specialist tracks were added. SVSU offers all courses required for family nurse practitioner preparation, and has partnered with the University of Michigan in education of nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists preparing for practice in other specialty areas.