Contact: Jennifer Phillip
Jasculca/Terman and Associates, Inc.
for Chamberlain College of Nursing
P: 312-573-5468
jennifer_phillip@jtpr.com

Deaconess College of Nursing Announces Name Change

New “Chamberlain College of Nursing” plans future growth, expansion

ST. LOUIS—July 6, 2006—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 today, 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 Bachelor of Science in Nursing (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 3 semesters. This program allows students to complete their coursework online while fulfilling complementary clinical practice requirements at healthcare institutions in their local areas.

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 its campus-based programs in other markets. Chamberlain has taken the first step toward geographic expansion by applying for approval to offer its nursing programs in the state of Ohio. Expansion of Chamberlain’s on-campus and online programs 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.

“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 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.

Located in St. Louis, Mo., Chamberlain College of Nursing offers the following undergraduate nursing programs: ASN/ADN, LPN-ASN, BSN and RN to BSN degree completion programs.

The ASN program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission (NLNAC). The BSN program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission (NLNAC) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Chamberlain College of Nursing is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association (NCA).

For more information about Chamberlain College of Nursing, visit its Web site at www.chamberlain.edu.

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