University News
Concordia-St. Paul is excited to announce the elevation of the nursing department to that of a School of Nursing within the College of Health and Science, effective September 1, 2021. CSP has offered nursing education since the spring of 2014, and this enhanced designation as a School of Nursing befits the level of complexity that exists for CSP Nursing today. The CSP School of Nursing is led by Dr. Hollie Caldwell, Chief Nurse Administrator and Associate Dean of Nursing. “We are really excited to represent CSP as a School of Nursing. It is truly reflective of faculty responsiveness, adaptability, and our student-centered focus. The work of all our nursing faculty and nursing leadership helped to build the strong foundation that has brought us to this point.”
The CSP School of Nursing offers online post-licensure education and pre-licensure education in two states: One physical location in St. Paul, Minnesota, which offers both a traditional pre-licensure BSN and the recently added accelerated BSN; and two physical locations in Portland, Oregon, which offer the University’s accelerated BSN. Clinical education is delivered in three states: Minnesota, Oregon and Washington which increases the intricacies of daily operations, accreditation and regulatory requirements. Professor Kendra Saal has been recognized for her dedication and expertise and is now the Track Chair for both the traditional and accelerated St. Paul pre-licensure BSN tracks. “Due to the success of our students and our nursing program, I am excited that the CSP Nursing Program is growing to the CSP School of Nursing. With this designation, we will continue our mission by providing a transformative education for each of our students,”.
CSP Nursing has provided student-centered education to support the growing nursing shortage. Since the pandemic began, CSP has graduated 502 nursing students who are now an integral part of the healthcare workforce representing CSP’s mission of dedicated service to God and humanity. As Dr. Kevin Hall, CSP’s Vice President for Academic Affairs highlights, “Faculty have played an important role to provide responsive and relevant education to ensure students are well-prepared upon graduation. Their focus upon student success is to be commended.” The CSP School of Nursing is well-positioned to move forward with the university’s strategic plan to grow, retain and graduate competent, compassionate and Christian nurses prepared to serve diverse citizens in the ever-evolving healthcare industry.