The University of Oklahoma College of Nursing Centennial

1911-1920

The Training School for Nurses had forty-two students in attendance in 1913, and the first diplomas of Graduate Nurse were issued to six graduates. They were Margaret Neveda Jones, Helen Alice Brown Murphy, Abbie Venice Odell, Cora Etta Phipps, May Bell Powell and Susan Elizabeth Westmorland.

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1921-1930

Modern quarters for the school for nurses were constructed during the year, making provision for classrooms, a library, demonstration room and reception room, as well as dormitory rooms for the nursing students. The building was erected adjacent to the west wing of the hospital and named Hygeia Hall.

1931-1940

The prerequisite for admission to the School of Nursing required ranking in the upper third of the graduating class in an accredited high school. The hospitals provided full maintenance for students at the Nurses Residence, but an investment of $70 was required from each student for uniforms.

1941-1950

Five nursing schools in Oklahoma were affiliated with the University School of Nursing during this year for instruction in pediatrics, outpatient techniques, and diet kitchen training. The SON also participated in the Cadet Nurse Corps program conducted under the supervision of the United States Public Health Service.

1951-1960

During the summer the State Regents for Higher Education approved a program in the School of Nursing leading toward a degree of Bachelor of Science in Nursing, to be granted by the College of Arts and Sciences of the university at Norman.

1961-1970

A concurrent Resolution passed both Houses unanimously endorsing the development of a graduate program at the University of Oklahoma School of Nursing.

1971-1980

In December, the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education approve changing the name of the program from the University of Oklahoma School of Nursing to the University of Oklahoma College of Nursing.

1981-1990

OUCN is funded to begin the Career Ladder program aimed at providing a flexible teaching-learning strategy of multiple option offerings, enabling degree-bound individuals over the state to have a reasonable access to baccalaureate education.

1991-2000

The Division of Nursing provided funding for a three-year grant to plan, develop and implement a nurse practitioners program within the existing master’s degree program in both Oklahoma City and Tulsa. Dr. Deborah Booton-Hiser was appointed the project director. This is the first NP program in the state of Oklahoma.

2001-2010

OUCN is approved to offer a PhD in nursing program – the first in Oklahoma!

2011-

OU College of Nursing Celebrates 100 Years of Nursing Excellence.

Welcome from Dean Lazelle E. Benefield

This year the University of Oklahoma College of Nursing celebrates its Centennial year, honoring a history that began in 1911 with the first class of OU Nursing students. As Dean, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to celebrate our College’s history and to honor the generations of women and men who followed that first class as OU Nursing students.

Our theme for 2011 is “The Power of 100.” Our focus is the future of the College and our celebration will include events and speakers that will honor our tradition of excellence. We hope you will join us at one of our regional events and participate in our Centennial Celebration and Reunion Days, October 20-21, 2011. For the past few months, we’ve been collecting stories from OU nurses who graduated during the course of the past several decades. W hat great stories our graduates have! These will be posted to our website during the year, and I hope you will go online to read and enjoy them. Read more >>