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History
 Saint
Anthony College of Nursing, Rockford, Illinois, is a baccalaureate
degree-granting institution recognized throughout Rockford and surrounding
communities for its excellence in nursing education. Saint Anthony
College of Nursing and its predecessor, Saint Anthony Medical Center
School of Nursing, have been preparing students for the profession
of nursing for over 90 years.
Saint Anthony School of Nursing was established in 1915 under the
auspices of The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis of East
Peoria, Illinois. Since its inception, the school has developed
and grown through high quality instruction and valuable learning
experiences at excellent clinical facilities, first as a diploma
program and later as a degree-granting college. Throughout the years
the program has been highly respected for the professional quality
and Christian characteristics of its graduates.
In 1986, philosophical changes in nursing education, as well as
changes in the health delivery system, guided administration and
faculty in the decision to research and plan toward the formation
of a baccalaureate degree-granting college. After receiving approval
from the Illinois Board of Higher Education, the College was approved
by the State of Illinois Department of Professional Regulation.
In May 1991 Saint Anthony Medical Center School of Nursing graduated
its last diploma class. In August of 1990, Saint Anthony College
of Nursing admitted its first class of nine students. Saint Anthony
College of Nursing was accredited by The Higher Learning Commission
and a member of the North Central Association in August 1994. In
1996 Saint Anthony College of Nursing Bachelor of Science in Nursing
program was accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting
Commission (NLNAC). In October 2003, the Bachelors of Science in Nursing at Saint Anthony College
of Nursing was accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing
Education (CCNE).
Striving for excellence in nursing education, this upper-division
baccalaureate nursing program integrates Christian ideals, values,
and practices, while building on a broad foundation of general education
courses in the humanities and sciences.
Saint Anthony College of Nursing offers the last two years of a
4-year bachelor of science in nursing degree. These last two years
build on the broad base of two academic years (64 semester hours)
transferred from another regionally accredited college or university.
To this end, cooperative agreements have been reached with several
of the community colleges in the area.
In response to national trends and health care demands, the College implemented an additional degree program, a Master of Science in Nursing, in August 2006. This program, designed for the part-time student to complete within three years, will lead to a Master of Science in Nursing degree for nurse educators, clinical nurse leaders and clinical nurse specialists in adult health concepts. For more information on the MSN program click here.
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