TSON is one of 17 programs across the country to be named by the National League for Nursing
Trinitas School of Nursing (TSON) has been recognized as a 2020-2024 Center of Excellence in Nursing Education by the National League for Nursing, among 17 nursing programs from across the country. This is the fourth consecutive time TSON has earned this distinction, the first time being in 2008, with re-designations in July 2011 and 2015.
“The faculty of the School of Nursing deserves the lion’s share of this award,” said Dr. Roseminda N. Santee, DNP, MA, RN, NEA-BC, CNE, ANEF Dean, Trinitas School of Nursing. “They make it happen. The administration, staff, advisory board, and affiliated agencies provide the support and resources for faculty and students to do their good work.”
Each year since 2004, the League has invited nursing schools to apply to become a Center of Excellence, based on their ability to demonstrate in concrete, measurable terms sustained excellence in faculty development, nursing education research, or student learning and professional development.
NLN CEO Beverly Malone, PhD, RN, FAAN, said, “NLN Centers of Excellence help raise the bar for all nursing programs by role modeling visionary leadership and environments of inclusive excellence. These environments help nurture the next generation of a strong and diverse nursing workforce to advance the health of the nation and the global community.”
Dr. Santee added, “This award is the culmination of decades of commitment and dedication by the faculty to the vision of excellence that focuses on the creation of learning environments designed to promote the nursing education and professional development of culturally diverse students. This could not have been accomplished without a plan that also values innovation, civility, integrity, and ethical behavior in all professional activities.”
Trinitas School of Nursing
TSON is a Catholic, pre-licensure nursing program located in the city of Elizabeth, an extremely diverse urban community in Union County. In 2018, Elizabeth reported a population of 128,885 with 20% African American, 13% Caucasian individuals and 64% Hispanic individuals. (Quick Facts, Elizabeth, NJ, July 2018)
Diversity is valued by the school as evidenced by the composition of the staff, faculty, and students. Each course in the program has a cultural component that engenders students’ respect for various cultures and individual differences. With seventy-four (74) percent of the students representing ethnic minority groups, the diversity at TSON reflects that of the community in which it resides. In the Spring of 2019, the demographic profile of the school showed that 35% of the students were African American, 9% Asian, 13% Caucasian and 31% Hispanic. Eighty-five percent (85%) of the students are female. (TSON Enrollment Data, 2019)
The current thirteen (13) full-time faculty members and two (2) administrative personnel represent as 20% African American; 7% Asian; 13% Hispanic; and 60% Caucasian. Ninety-three percent (93%) of the administration and faculty members are certified in their areas of expertise.
TSON has a rich history dating back to 1891, when it was the Elizabeth General Hospital Training School. The school’s journey to excellence began in 1947 when the school contracted with the then Union Junior College to offer all science and liberal art courses at the college. The major goals of this partnership were to strengthen the curriculum and to provide opportunities for graduates’ upward mobility to a BSN degree. This contract enhanced the School’s ability to keep abreast of educational and scientific advancement and strengthened the students’ base of knowledge and intellectual skills.
Contact Information
Doug Harris
908-994-5138
dharris@trinitas.org
Yolanda Fleming
908-994-5139
Yfleming@trinitas.org