Museum Blog - May 2023
2023 marked the 50th anniversary of the first cohort entering the St. Lawrence College Diploma Nursing Program. For many decades, hospitals operated their own schools of nursing, offering students hands-on training within their facilities and through short placements at partner hospitals.
In 1967, nursing education across Ontario began shifting away from hospital-based schools. Locally, this led to the creation of the Cornwall Regional School of Nursing. In September of that year, the school enrolled its first student at a temporary campus in a former residence at 331 Second Street East.
During that first year, a brand-new campus was being built at 801 Fourth Street East at McConnell Avenue.
Originally planned to include a ten-storey main building, the campus officially opened the following September with an eight-storey residence and an attached two-storey classroom wing to the south.
Students already enrolled in the Cornwall General Hospital School of Nursing (1898–1969) and the St. Joseph’s (Hôtel Dieu Hospital) School of Nursing (1929–1969) continued their studies in those programs, graduating in 1968 and 1969. From 1968 to 1989, the Cornwall General Hospital School of Nursing found a new role, shifting its focus to training Registered Nursing Assistants, now known as Registered Practical Nurses.
In 1973, St. Lawrence College assumed responsibility from the Regional School. The former school building became Mille Roches Hall, a student residence for St. Lawrence College, and today serves as a seniors’ residence.
On Saturday May 13, 2023, St. Lawrence College hosted the 50 years of nursing celebration, welcoming alumni from the class of 1975 and on. Below are a collection of photos from that event:
