History of Nursing Programs
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Brief History of the Nursing Programs

Shelton State Community College offers three nursing options. The Practical Nursing Program (PN) is the oldest of the three. It was one of the first courses offered at the then, J.P. Shelton State Trade School. Mrs. Thelma Sanford, Director, opened the Shelton State Practical Nursing Program in 1953. It was a nine month service based program.

 

The PN Program has been providing quality education for nurses over fifty-seven years. Among its many accomplishments, the Practical Nursing Program has the distinction of being the first Practical Nursing Program in the State of Alabama to have a full-time weekend and full-time 3-11 (evening) program.

 

Under the guidance of Director Mary Ann Pearson, Shelton State Community College received approval from the Alabama Board of Nursing to establish an Associate Degree career mobility registered nurse program in August 1981. The first class was initiated fall 1982 at the then  Skyland Boulevard campus. Because of the successes of the program and responding to local demands and growth, the program was expanded. Winter Quarter 1991 saw the addition of the generic track to the Associate Degree Nursing Program and the first class of generic students were admitted. The Associate Degree Nursing Program completed initial accreditation by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. (ACEN) in the spring of 1986 and has remained fully accredited.

 

Again, responding to the needs of the West Alabama Community, Shelton State Community College requested permission to establish a Nursing Assistant Program. In August 1993, the Alabama Department of Public Health granted approval to the College. The first classes were taught on the Fifteenth Street Campus location.

 

In May 1996, the Practical Nursing and Nursing Assistant Programs were moved to the new Martin Campus location. The Associate Degree Nursing Program followed in August 1996. This historic move to the Martin Campus established for the first time the three programs being housed on the same campus, under the guidance of Gladys Hill, Nursing Director. All three programs conduct theory classes and laboratory classes on the west wing of the campus.

 

The Practical Nursing Program completed initial accreditation by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. (ACEN) spring 2010. The nursing programs at Shelton State continue to educate competent nurses for the West Alabama and surrounding areas.