Canton, IL – It's been 100 years since Graham Hospital and its School of Nursing opened its doors to the public.
School of Nursing Director Susan Livingston says being "hospital based" helps the school keep up with advances in technology and medicine. "We're right in the hospital and we see the changes going on," says Livingston. "We always try to keep up on what's new. Part of their [the faculty] course preparation, they're always looking at what's new in the field."
Livingston says the first class of six students graduated from the school of nursing in 1913. She says enrollment has increased over the past ten-years, with 78 enrolled in the school for the upcoming fall semester. "Some years we will have a higher enrollment," says Livingston. "Our enrollment follows the nursing shortages. In 2001 we had 29 students in the whole school. In the last few years we've had several people on a waiting list."
"We are a 3-year diploma school," says Livingston. "At one time there were a lot of diploma schools. Almost every hospital had a school. Over the years some of the schools have closed or converted to a 2-or-4 year degree."
Livingston says the intent of the school was and still is to provide nurses to the hospital. "Our classes are much bigger so we are sending students to other facilities for jobs," says Livingston.
An open house will be Saturday afternoon from 1-to-4. The actual anniversary date is October 4th.