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College of Nursing > College Overview
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![](https://usfjira.atlassian.net/wiki/download/thumbnails/19298321761/image2017-12-13%2011:49:31.png?version=1&modificationDate=1519996458980&cacheVersion=1&api=v2&width=80) | 1910 Gordon Keller School of Nursing Established Expand |
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| ![](https://usfjira.atlassian.net/wiki/download/thumbnails/19298321761/early%20tgh.jpg?version=1&modificationDate=1532100995660&cacheVersion=1&api=v2&width=350) Gordon Keller Memorial Hospital, opened in 1905 on Lafayette Street, was named for Gordon Keller, a native of Georgia who moved to Tampa in 1883. The School of Nursing, established in 1910 and offering a three-year diploma, held its first formal graduation in 1915. The program was absorbed by Hillsborough Community College in 1972, however, the archives were donated to USF and the College of Nursing became the "home base" for Alumni. The hospital, which moved to Davis Islands in 1927, became known as Tampa Municipal Hospital (shown in photo) and, in 1956, as Tampa General Hospital. |
1965 USF College of Nursing Authorized by Florida Legislature Expand |
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| ![](https://usfjira.atlassian.net/wiki/download/thumbnails/19298321761/capital.jpg?version=1&modificationDate=1532105588513&cacheVersion=1&api=v2&width=350) In 1965, the USF College of Nursing was authorized by the Florida Legislature as part of the Health Sciences Center complex with Medicine and Public Health. Although it would be 9 years before students were admitted to the program, work began on preparing the university for the eventual launch of the college. Until the College of Nursing began admitting students, USF joined with Florida State in providing nursing degrees. Students attending USF for their first two years. could then transfer to FSU to complete their bachelor's degree in nursing. There was a similar USF/FSU collaboration with the home economics program. |
1965 Dr. Alice Keefe Appointed Founding Dean Expand |
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| ![](https://usfjira.atlassian.net/wiki/download/thumbnails/19298321761/USF%20medical%20center.jpg?version=1&modificationDate=1532106308443&cacheVersion=1&api=v2&width=300) Dr. Alice Keefe was appointed as founding Dean of the College of Nursing. Along with Dr. Donn Smith, who became Dean of the College of Medicine in 1969, they decided to conduct clinical instruction in local hospitals under cooperative agreements. Dr. Keefe designed the original program emphasizing styles of learning and preparing students to interact with people in different professional roles. Early USF Historian, Dean Russell Cooper, reported that Dr. Keefe made the USF Nursing program broader and stronger in theoretical foundations than most collegiate nursing programs, emphasizing links between practice and theory. |
1968 College Accredited by Florida Board of Nursing Expand |
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| ![](https://usfjira.atlassian.net/wiki/download/thumbnails/19298321761/BON1967.png?version=1&modificationDate=1533814565543&cacheVersion=1&api=v2&effects=border-simple,blur-border&width=350) In 1968 the Florida Board of Nursing provided accreditation to begin implementation of a BS in nursing. A few months later, Dr. Keefe received a personal letter from one of the board members indicating that her curriculum plan was exceptionally impressive. Admitting students, however, was still several years away. The National League of Nursing also provided "reasonable assurance of accreditation." This approval allowed the admittance of students set for 1971. |
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![](https://usfjira.atlassian.net/wiki/download/thumbnails/19298321761/image2017-12-13%2011:59:19.png?version=1&modificationDate=1519996459107&cacheVersion=1&api=v2&width=80) | 1973 Dr. Gwendoline MacDonald Appointed as Dean Expand |
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| ![](https://usfjira.atlassian.net/wiki/download/thumbnails/19298321761/McDonald.jpg?version=1&modificationDate=1533739357087&cacheVersion=1&api=v2&width=250) Dr. Gwendoline MacDonald served as Dean of the College of Nursing from 1973 until 1987. She greeted the first cohort of students with 9 faculty. Under her leadership, the college received its first accreditation from the National League of Nursing in 1975, ensuring the school was accredited prior to the first graduating class. In 1980, she initiated master's level programs in Adult Health Nursing, Gerontology, and Nurse Education. Prior to becoming dean at USF, Dr. MacDonald was Dean of Nursing at Michigan State University and the University of Miami. During World War II, she served in the Army Nursing Corp and was stationed in England. |
1973 1st Cohort Admitted Expand |
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| ![](https://usfjira.atlassian.net/wiki/download/thumbnails/19298321761/Infrastructure%20Section%20CON%201973.jpg?version=1&modificationDate=1519996459507&cacheVersion=1&api=v2&width=350) In 1973, 54 baccalaureate nursing students were selected from more than 400 applicants and admitted into the charter class at the USF College of Nursing. At the time, classes were held in 5 mobile classrooms which included Administrative/Advising, Faculty Offices, 2 classrooms, a Multi-Purpose Learning Laboratory, a Physiology Class Laboratory, and a Nursing Library. The faculty consisted of 1 Professor, 2 Associate Professors, 5 Assistant Professors, and 2 Instructors. There was 1 administrative support staff member. |
1975 Accredited by National League of Nursing Accrediting Commission Expand |
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| Once the college had its first graduating class of baccalaureate degree nurses, accreditation by the NLNAC was officially requested and as expected, was granted. The illustration of the nursing process was a component of the colleges application for accreditation.
At the time of this application for accreditation there were 13 full-time faulty and 4 part-time faculty. At the junior level there were 62 students and 40 at the senior level. Additionally, there were 12 full-time and 23 part-time students. Most wanted to obtain their baccalaureate degree, but some reported attending classes just for the intellectual stimulation that could receive. |
1975 1st Cohort Graduated Expand |
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| In June 1975, the charter class graduated 41 students. Students were awarded baccalaureate degrees with a major in nursing. Students completed clinical hours at either Tampa General Hospital, Hillsborough County Hospital, Tampa Veteran's Hospital, or with 1 clinical affiliate. In this class 8% were male, and 5% reported ethnic diversity.
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![](https://usfjira.atlassian.net/wiki/download/thumbnails/19298321761/image2017-12-13%2015:3:10.png?version=1&modificationDate=1519996459400&cacheVersion=1&api=v2&width=80) | 1976 College moved from trailers to new buildings in the Health Sciences Center Expand |
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| The college moved out of the trailers and into new "permanent" facilities on February 24, 1976.
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1977 RN to BS program added to the college1980 Began MS Program: Adult Health Nursing Expand |
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| On the May 1, 1978 meeting the Florida board of Regents unanimously approved the request of the University of South Florida to offer it's first M.S. degree program in Nursing. |
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![](https://usfjira.atlassian.net/wiki/download/thumbnails/19298321761/image2017-12-13%2015:8:57.png?version=1&modificationDate=1519996459423&cacheVersion=1&api=v2&width=80) | 1981 Master's program graduates first 8 students1982 Federal advanced nurse training grant provides support for gerontological nursing concentration1983 NLN granted initial accreditation to MS program1985 Graduate concentrations added in public/community health nursing and psychiatric/mental health nursing |
![](https://usfjira.atlassian.net/wiki/download/thumbnails/19298321761/image2017-12-13%2015:9:23.png?version=1&modificationDate=1519996459443&cacheVersion=1&api=v2&width=80) | 1987 Dr. Judith Plawecki Appointed Dean Expand |
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| Dr. Plawecki served as dean of the USF College of Nursing from 1987 to 1995. She had previously served as dean at Lewis University and University of North Dakota. During her time as dean, Dr. Plawecki was very involved in various Florida state task forces that were instrumental in nursing education and nursing manpower. Dr. Plawecki was an active member of the National League of Nursing and served in several elected positions and as an Accreditation Site Visitor from 1979-1992. She received her doctorate in Educational Administration from the University of Iowa.
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1988 Family Health Nursing graduate concentration added1990 Office of Nursing Research established |
![](https://usfjira.atlassian.net/wiki/download/thumbnails/19298321761/image2017-12-13%2015:10:27.png?version=1&modificationDate=1519996459283&cacheVersion=1&api=v2&width=80) | 1991 Multiple partnerships established Expand |
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| The College established partnership with Prevent Blindness Florida for preschool vision screen program; College opened Center for Elder Health in Tampa in collaboration with state, county, and city agencies. Advisory board for Minority Students established - joint faculty and community board to assist with recruitment and retention of minority nursing students. |
1993 100% NCLEX pass-rate1994 Child Amblyopia Prevention Screen Program Expand |
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| A collaboration developed between the College of Nursing and Prevent Blindness Florida was adopted by the National Student Nurses Association as a project for student members. |
1995 Judeo-Christian Health Clinic Expand |
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| Nurse-managed clinics at Judeo-Christian Health Clinic initiated in conjunction with public-sector medicine program of college of Medicine's Department of Family Medicine; $1.7 million agreement between the College and Sarasota Memorial Hospital prepares nurses for practicing in managed-care environments.
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![](https://usfjira.atlassian.net/wiki/download/thumbnails/19298321761/image2017-12-13%2015:10:52.png?version=1&modificationDate=1519996459303&cacheVersion=1&api=v2&width=80) | 1996 PhD Program Approved Expand |
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| The Florida State Board of Regents approved the planning for the College's PhD program. Lewis and Leona Hughes gave $1 million to establish the college's first endowed chair in Nursing Informatics.
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1997 Dr. Patricia Burns Appointed as Dean Expand |
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| Image AddedDr. Burns served as dean of the USF College of Nursing from 1997 to 2010. She came to USF from the State University of New York at Buffalo (SUNY). Her research and clinical focus was on female urinary incontinence and was funded for more than $11 million. Dr. Burns was part of the team that developed a federally patented “Improved Perineometer” device.
As Dean, she lobbied the state legislature to change Florida statutes limiting the number of nursing students schools could enroll each year. She received national attention for the Clinical Collaborative Initiative, a partnership with Tampa Bay area health care partners to allow students seeking a bachelor’s degree to begin their clinical training on day 1 and provide opportunities for placement following graduation. Dean Burns launched the first USF Nursing Research center, and under her leadership, graduates achieved a 100 percent pass rate on Florida’s state licensing exam. She also spearheaded the building of the state-of-the-art College of Nursing building in 2005, which tripled the size of the College facility from 25,000 to 75,000 square feet. |
1999 First NIH Funded Research Grant Awarded to USF College of Nursing 2000 Accredited by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) |
![](https://usfjira.atlassian.net/wiki/download/thumbnails/19298321761/image2017-12-13%2015:12:46.png?version=1&modificationDate=1519996459323&cacheVersion=1&api=v2&width=80) | 2001 The Clinical Collaborative Board was Initiated2005 DNP Program Approved
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![](https://usfjira.atlassian.net/wiki/download/thumbnails/19298321761/image2017-12-13%2015:14:33.png?version=1&modificationDate=1519996459343&cacheVersion=1&api=v2&width=80) | 2006 CRNA Program Accredited by COA
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![](https://usfjira.atlassian.net/wiki/download/thumbnails/19298321761/image2017-12-13%2015:19:41.png?version=1&modificationDate=1519996459360&cacheVersion=1&api=v2&width=80) | 2011 Collaboration with University of Sterling in Scotland
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![](https://usfjira.atlassian.net/wiki/download/thumbnails/19298321761/image2017-12-13%2015:21:0.png?version=1&modificationDate=1519996459380&cacheVersion=1&api=v2&width=80) | |