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About SLU's Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing

Saint Louis University has been a national leader in nursing education since 1928. We have a national reputation for innovative and pioneering bachelor's, master's, post-master's nurse practitioner certificate and doctoral (D.N.P. and Ph.D.) programs.

SLU’s Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing programs are nationally recognized for their innovative and comprehensive curricula. Throughout the years, the Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing's faculty has played a pivotal role in advancing the growing field of nursing research.

Message from the Dean

Welcome to the website of the Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing at Saint Louis University, a national leader in nursing education since 1928. Our students have the great opportunity to learn from leading educators, practitioners, and researchers in nursing, as well as from experts in medicine and related health disciplines. In various settings, from the classroom and virtual learning spaces to our simulation laboratory to external practice settings, including hospitals, clinics, agencies, and communities, students gain first-hand experience with nursing and health care. We partner with a wealth of excellent health care sites in St. Louis, surrounding areas, and the nation. These include, but are not limited to, SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital, SSM Health, BJC HealthCare, Mercy Health, and the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Our students study the science and art of nursing, both its theoretical and clinical domains, as well as participate in health sciences interprofessional education.

Situated within the larger context of Saint Louis University with its Jesuit and Catholic mission, a distinguishing feature of our education is the embodiment of Cura Personalis, or care for the whole person, including the person’s mind, body, heart, and spirit. Cura Personalis grounds everything we do as a caring community. We educate knowledgeable nursing leaders as men and women for others who will lead successful, ethical, and meaningful lives.

Nursing is the most trusted profession and nurses’ knowledgeable, compassionate care is needed worldwide to promote health, well-being, healing and the relief of suffering. We, in the Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing, are well-positioned to help students meet this worldwide need. We offer a scientific and values-based education for the generalist and advanced practice nurse and for Ph.D.-prepared nurse scientists who will shape the discovery and generation of nursing knowledge.

We are passionate about nursing and the excellent education we offer. Thank you for visiting our site. We look forward to hearing from you!

Sincerely,

Danny G. Willis, D.N.S., RN, PMHCNS-BC, CNE, FAAN
Dean and Professor

Vision Statement

The vision of the Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing is to pioneer innovation and advance equity through our mission-driven, diverse, inclusive, well-being-focused environment of excellence in teaching, research, practice, and service. 

Mission Statement

The mission of the Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing is the education of “the whole person” - mind, body, heart, and spirit within a diverse and technological society.  

The School of Nursing, an integral unit of Saint Louis University, seeks to fulfill its mission of education through teaching, research, practice, and service in ways consistent with the Catholic, Jesuit values of the University. The School of Nursing acts responsibly by setting priorities and exercising stewardship to ensure the best use of its resources. 
 
The School, through the teaching component of the mission, prepares diverse students at the baccalaureate, master's, post-master's, and doctoral levels for professional nursing practice and interprofessional collaboration to care of the whole person, the “cura personalis”. The School creates an inclusive student-centered environment that recognizes and actively addresses the diverse needs and well-being of individuals and an academic climate of in-person and online learning that promotes the spirit of inquiry among faculty and students. 
 
The School, through the research component of the mission, advances the active engagement of faculty and the involvement of students in the scholarly process of inquiry and discovery, dissemination, and translation of knowledge. The School promotes interprofessional collaboration in the conduct of research in order to advance health care. 
 
The School, through the service/practice component of the mission, promotes health care within the University and the local, regional, and national communities.  The School assumes a leadership role in developing nursing as a discipline and profession by providing expertise in nursing education, practice, and research to these communities. 

Milestones
  • 1971: SLU becomes the first university in the country to offer an accelerated B.S.N. program for qualified students seeking a fast-track bachelor’s degree in nursing.
  • 1990: SLU offers the first Ph.D. in nursing in Missouri.
  • 1997: The first web-based distance learning program at SLU is offered through the Trudy Busch Valentine School of Nursing.
  • 2000: SLU begins offering Missouri’s first totally online Master of Science in Nursing - Nurse Practitioner degree.
  • 2003: We are the first in the nation to offer an online certificate program that prepares nurses to assume a leadership role in case of a natural disaster or terror attack.
  • 2006: SLU develops the nation’s first interprofessional core curriculum, which teaches nursing students the best ways to work closely with other health care providers.
  • 2008: We are the first in the St. Louis area to offer a Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) degree, a doctoral degree for advanced practice nurses that focuses on patient care.
  • 2010: SLU begins offering a 21-month direct entry accelerated M.S.N. program.
  • 2015: SLU begins offering a Master of Science in Nursing - Clinical Nurse Leader program.
  • 2018: SLU School of Nursing celebrates its 90th year.