Clarkson College traces
its roots to Omaha's Good Samaritan Hospital, which opened in 1869 and became
the forerunner of Bishop Clarkson Memorial Hospital. The first student nurse
completed a two-year training period in 1890. In 1902, a three-year nurses training
school accepted students at the Hospital's 17th and Dodge Street location. A
Clarkson superintendent called civic leaders to the first meeting of the
Nebraska Nurses Association at Clarkson in 1906; three years later, the
founding members achieved their initial goal of registration for 10 trained
nurses who passed a state examination.
The Alumni Association was
formed in 1910. By 1913, Clarkson was the first Nebraska school to reduce the
standard on-duty requirement from 12 hours per day (six and a half days a week)
to eight hours per day. The Hospital and School moved in 1936 to 26th and Dewey
Streets where students were housed in several homes nearby.
During World War II, a new
nurses home (dormitory) was built across the street from the Hospital. The
School of Nursing also actively participated in the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps
program, which funded student tuition, books, uniforms and monthly stipends as
a way to recruit nurses for the war effort.
After the war, the
Hospital moved to its current location at 42nd and Dewey Streets. However,
related budget problems led the nursing program to close in 1955. A very
generous donation from Mr. and Mrs. Peter Kiewit enabled the nursing program to
reopen in 1960 with the completion of Kiewit Tower.
The 1970s saw Clarkson
College admit male students to its burgeoning program. In the 1980s, Clarkson
College received accreditation from the North Central Association and National
League for Nursing. Development of the Online Education, Professional
Development, Radiologic Technology/Medical Imaging and Physical Therapist
Assistant and Graduate programs swiftly followed. Today, the College also
offers degrees and certificates in Health Care Business, Picture Archiving
Communication Systems (PACS), Post-Master's certificates in nursing and a host
of Professional Development and Continuing Education opportunities.
Since 1888, Clarkson
graduates have distinguished themselves at home and abroad, in peacetime and in
wartime. Now in its second century, Clarkson College continues to build on its
solid tradition by developing health care programs to provide for safe,
compassionate and effective care.
In the new millennium, a
focus on diversity led to the development of the Gateway to Success Minority
Nursing Scholarship. In order to serve our diverse population the College began
the "Building on the Legacy of Enriching Campus Life for Students" effort in
2004 to create an environment of living and learning by constructing the new
Student Village campus. The new campus includes a Student Center,
apartment-style Residence Hall and courtyard complete with the Clarkson College
Service League Heritage Garden.
In 2008, Clarkson College
enhanced student services by opening a newly renovated lobby with student
access to admissions and student records services. In addition, a newly
renovated lower level allows easier access to professional development and
basic life support services from a 42nd Street entrance. The Center
for Teaching Excellence also opened its doors.
