About the Purdue School of Nursing

School of Nursing graduates have an
excellent job placement record.

    Mission/Vision:
    The School of Nursing is responsible for administering all degree programs in nursing offered at the West Lafayette and North Central campuses of Purdue University;
        1.Preparing graduates for the practice of professional nursing in general clinical settings;
        2.Contributing to the improvement of nursing education through innovation, evaluation, and participation in local, state, national and international nursing education activities;
        3.Conducting research and other scholarly activities to add to the body of specialized knowledge and theory in nursing;
        4.Supporting the improvement of health in local, state, national, and international arenas through consultation, public service, and education;
        5.Disseminating information about recent developments in the field of nursing to nurses and other health-care professionals through continuing education programs;
        6.Assisting in efforts to improve the health care delivery system through changes in public policy with regard to accessibility, effectiveness, and quality of health care;
        7.Promoting a positive societal view of professional nursing by increasing public awareness of nursing’s contribution to the nation’s health;
        8.Acknowledging the inherent worth and dignity of all people by recognizing diversity of values and ethics, culture and ethnicity;
        9.Encouraging the advancement of nursing science by creating a milieu that fosters lifelong learning and scholarly endeavors in graduates and faculty.

    A broad liberal and scientific education is necessary to prepare baccalaureate nursing program students for professional nursing practice. The Purdue University School of Nursing curriculum provides each student with a firm foundation in the liberal arts, supportive sciences, and professional education. Education of the professional nurse is enriched by a diverse faculty who have clinical expertise and scholarly achievement. by participation in continuing education and in professional nursing organizations.
    Following successful completion of the program of study, the nursing graduate may apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for licensure as a registered nurse (RN). There are specific requirements for eligibility to take the examination. Any person who applies to the Indiana State Board of Nursing for license to practice as a registered nurse must not have been convicted of a crime that has a direct bearing on the person’s ability to competently practice or have committed an act that would constitute a ground for disciplinary sanction under Indiana statutes.  
    Eligibility requirements in other states may vary. You may request a copy of eligibility requirements by writing to the Board of Nursing in the state in which you are seeking licensure.

    Job Placement:
    School of Nursing graduates have an excellent job placement record. An annual Nursing Career Fair is held in Johnson Hall of Nursing to give nursing students the opportunity to meet prospective employers (See Student Services). In addition, the University Placement Service sponsors an annual Health Careers Day. Workshops held during the year help students prepare resumes, develop interviewing techniques, and polish job-seeking skills. The School of Nursing also keeps current files and posts information about job opportunities and graduate school programs.

    History
    The nursing program at Purdue University began in fall 1963. Thirty nursing students were admitted to a two-year associate degree program on the West Lafayette campus. Dr. Helen R. Johnson, a registered nurse with a strong administrative background, was employed to initiate and direct the program. In 1970, an upper-division, four-year baccalaureate program was introduced to fulfill the career mobility needs of associate-degree or diploma nurses who wished to earn baccalaureate degrees. The growth in enrollment in the nursing program was rapid. Today, nearly 500 students are enrolled on the West Lafayette campus. Approximately 2,000 students study nursing at the four Purdue branch campuses in Indiana.