Deaconess College of Nursing Announces Name Change; New ''Chamberlain College of Nursing'' plans future growth, expansion.

ST. LOUIS -- Deaconess College of Nursing's nearly 120-year tradition of preparing compassionate, knowledgeable and clinically proficient graduates, will move forward under a new name: Chamberlain College of Nursing.

School officials announced the new name Thursday, saying it marks the founding of a new era at an institution with a long legacy of quality and professionalism. By providing nursing education programs that feature both a broad educational foundation and extensive clinical practice component, Chamberlain will fulfill its commitment to prepare compassionate and clinically proficient nurses, as well as to foster personal growth, career mobility, community service and leadership among healthcare professionals.

As Chamberlain College of Nursing, the school will also be expanding its online BSN degree completion program for registered nurses. This flexible RN-to-BSN online degree completion program supports the professional growth of registered nurses across the country by providing them the opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing in as few as 12 months. This program allows nursing students to complete their coursework online while fulfilling complementary clinical practice requirements at healthcare institutions where they are currently employed.

In addition to expanding access to its online programs, Chamberlain will explore opportunities to broaden its geographic footprint nationwide such as the possibility of offering campus-based programs in other markets.

"We are thrilled to begin a new era of nursing education under the Chamberlain name," said Susan Groenwald, president of Chamberlain College of Nursing. "Though the name has changed, Chamberlain will continue Deaconess' strong tradition of academic quality, integrity and professionalism by offering students a curriculum that incorporates broad general education and extensive clinical practice."

DeVry Inc. purchased Deaconess in March 2005. A term of the purchase agreement is that DeVry's use of the Deaconess name will expire as of September 30, 2006, thus requiring a new name. The new name Chamberlain exemplifies the strength and solid, historical foundation of Deaconess, while positioning the school for future growth. Derived from the Middle English word chaumberlein, which means "chief steward," the name also alludes to the critical role of the nurse as the central steward and coordinator of patient care, said Groenwald.

The federal government estimates that more than one million new and replacement nurses will be needed by 2012. And for the first time, the U.S. Department of Labor has identified Registered Nursing as the top occupation in terms of job growth through the year 2012. Yet the capacity to educate and train new nurses is lacking: more than 15,000 students were turned away from U.S. nursing schools last year due to a lack of space.

As a nursing school providing both on-campus and online education, Chamberlain College of Nursing will help communities respond to the critical and growing shortage of nurses that will intensify as baby boomers age and the need for health care grows. In an effort to make access to nursing education more readily available, the school is also considering opportunities to expand geographically by opening new campuses in markets nationwide.

Located in St. Louis, Mo., Chamberlain College of Nursing is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association, the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. For more information about Chamberlain College of Nursing, visit its Web site at www.chamberlain.edu.