Purdue University School of Nursing: A Brief History

Written By: Rebecca Hoffa, rhoffa@purdue.edu

Purdue University’s School of Nursing was founded in response to a critical call for action. In the 1950s, Indiana faced a severe nursing shortage, creating urgent demand for more university-based nursing programs. Purdue answered this need by launching its nursing program, enrolling its first class of 30 students in fall 1963.

The program’s early development was guided by Helen R. Johnson, a registered nurse and visionary leader whose work established the foundation for nursing education excellence. Within a single year, Johnson secured external funding, recruited faculty, created partnerships with clinical sites, developed a curriculum, and obtained state approval for the new Department of Nursing. Originally housed in the Department of Applied and General Studies, the program expanded in 1970 to offer its first bachelor’s degree track, providing nurses with greater career mobility and professional advancement.

The School of Nursing was formally established in 1979 by the Purdue Board of Trustees, reflecting its growing reputation and success. Over the decades, the school has continued to expand in size and influence. In 2018, the undergraduate program doubled enrollment to meet health care workforce needs. Graduates are now recruited by leading hospitals and health systems across the country, including the Mayo Clinic in Rochester and the Texas Medical Center in Houston, as well as by the U.S. military through its strong connection with ROTC.

In addition to expanding its academic programs, the School of Nursing has long been a leader in innovation, offering students unique practice opportunities while pioneering the use of simulation and leading the way with virtual reality (VR) training. On campus, the Nursing Center for Family Health in Lyles-Porter Hall serves as both a vital community health resource and a training site for students.

Today, beyond the BSN program, the School of Nursing is also home to six graduate programs, four post-master’s certificate programs, and one of only two PhD in nursing programs in Indiana. Its continued accreditation and recognition reflect its academic rigor, while its faculty are consistently honored for teaching excellence through some of the highest teaching honors at Purdue and beyond.

Helen Johnson’s legacy of leadership and innovation remains alive. Ranked as Indiana’s top nursing program, Purdue’s School of Nursing continues to shape the future of health care by preparing nurses who are highly sought after nationwide, advancing simulation and VR learning, and providing diverse clinical experiences that prepare students to serve in every setting — from rural Indiana clinics to global health care systems.