Nursing Education
Excellent and compassionate care starts with our nurses. Studies show that hospitals with high numbers of nurses prepared at the baccalaureate and graduate degree levels demonstrate improved patient outcomes specifically related to lower 30-day mortality rates and lower rates of medication errors. Nurses with advanced degrees and certifications are best prepared to deliver the highest standard of care for patients.
Recognizing the importance of nursing education and training, Swedish Hospital was one of the first in Chicago to establish a School of Nursing, which operated from 1899 through 1969. Currently, we have a Nursing Education Fund to support the professional development of the nursing staff. This fund benefits current and future nursing employees by funding educational opportunities and scholarships needed to advance the nursing profession at Swedish Hospital, from continuing nursing education and advanced degrees to educational technologies.
Educational opportunities for nursing staff provided by the Nursing Education Fund include:
Certification for specialized nursing
Scholarships for the pursuit of advanced degrees
Swedish Hospital Nurse Leadership Fellows program
Magnet conference participation.
Many donors to the Nursing Education Fund choose to give annual gifts for immediate use. Additionally, donors who wish to make a gift to support nursing education for the future have the option of designating a gift to the Nursing Education Endowment or establishing a named endowment fund.
Establishing an endowed fund at Swedish Hospital is a great way for donors to leave a permanent legacy of compassion for nurses. An endowed gift to support nursing education is invested and generates annual income that can be awarded to nurses to help support their ongoing education. An endowment can be established with an initial gift of $25,000 or more and can be named for the donor, or in honor or memory of a loved one.
Read more articles about Nursing Education.
To learn more about the Nursing Education or to make a donation, contact us at (773) 293-5121 or schfoundation@schosp.org.
SCHNAA Choir
Nursing Alumnae Association (SCHNAA)
The Swedish Covenant Hospital Nursing Alumnae Association (SCHNAA) was formed to maintain the lifelong friendships of the Swedish Covenant Hospital School of Nursing alumnae.
As Chicago’s North Side population began to grow the demand for nurses increased. In 1898 Swedish Covenant Hospitals Board of Directors announced the establishment of the Swedish Covenant Hospital School of Nursing (SCHSN). In 1900 Hilda Rodberg became the first graduate and went on to become a well-respected missionary nurse in China. 1900 also marked the year the Lighted Candle was designed as the official emblem representing the school of nursing on all printed materials. Irene Oberg, who was the director of the school designed the emblem to represent the “carrying of light into darkened hearts.”
By 1904 the school enrolled ten students and the curriculum was changed to a three-year program. By the 1940s new residence facilities for the students, modern classrooms, and laboratory facilities helped to recruit the best and brightest students from around the country.
In 1968 the hospital Board of Directors decided to phase the nursing program over to North Park University as the demand for four year nursing schools became the trend. The class of 1969 was the last to graduate.
Over 1,400 nurses have graduated from Swedish Covenant Hospital and their light still shines brightly as they continue to help others across the United States and the world.
View photos from past SCHNAA Reunions.
Caring Times
The Caring Times is a publication for the Swedish Covenant Hospital Nursing School’s alumnae and is published once a year.
View or download past issues:
Nursing Education Scholarships
Swedish Hospital Foundation annually awards nursing scholarships to Swedish Hospital nurse employees through various scholarships.
SCHNAA Scholarships
The Swedish Covenant Hospital Nursing Alumnae Association (SCHNAA) represents graduates of the hospital’s School of Nursing through 1969, when the program was transferred to North Park University. The nursing alumnae created the scholarship program to support aspiring nurses in the Swedish Hospital community.
2019
Aisha Abdallah
Olivia Mott
Kimberly Rosales
2018
Erika Dwight
Olivia Fine
Philmar Mendoza
2017
Jessica Craigie
Celina Gilman
Kaitlynn Goff
2016
Katie Kuksuk
Nica Larkin
Sarah Larson
Allison Murray
Andrew Pecson
Patricia Souffrant
2015
Megan Arroyo
Sarah Krawiec
Allison Murray
Eduardo Salgado
Virginia Ohlson Scholarships
Virgina Ohlson graduated from the SCH Nursing School in 1937 and went on to do extraordinary works in nursing on both the national and international levels. Her love for Swedish Hospital and legacy of learning, teaching and caring continues through a scholarship fund named in her memory. Funding is provided by donations from members of the Swedish Covenant Nursing Alumnae Association (SCHNAA).
2021
Nicole Koson
Ron Medina
Margareth Mohar
Kimberly Tranchita
2020
Katherine Freemon
LuzSelenia Hernandez
Jessica Hickey
Kimberly Sagun
2019
Christina Vanegas
2018
Rebecca Anstee
PZRN Scholarships
In celebration of 50 years of Nursing, Nursing Manager, Pat Zeller, MSN, RN, has funded a scholarship to a nursing student - paying it forward!
2021
Sandra Galindo
2020
Nicole Jaros
2019
Camille Saldana
2018
Victoria Wrathall
Alyce Johnson-Chrystall Scholarships
Alyce B. Johnson-Chrystall, a graduate of Swedish Hospital School of Nursing in Minnesota, devoted her life to the nursing profession. She “loved every bit” of being a nurse. Through scholarships created in her memory, she shares her love for nursing wit the next generation of nurses.
2021
Rosalinda Sosa
Yvonne Stallard
2020
Charles Blalack
Maeve Dowdall
Michael Weiss
2019
Gerelmaa Budmandakh
Colleen Jennings
Sommar Johsnon
Dane Ligas
Bianca Pirvu
Eileen M. Hallman Scholarships
After graduating from Swedish Covenant Hospital School of Nursing in 1954, Eileen began her nursing career at Hines VA Hospital in Chicago. It was there she met the love of her life, George Hallman, with whom she started a family and shared a life compassion and service. Eileen was devoted to nursing, her family, her church and running marathons across the globe with husband at her side. These scholarships were created in memory of a remarkable woman and nurse, whose devotion to helping others will inspire future generations of nursing students
2021
Ashley Tiongson
2020
Natalia Georchelidze
Marisol Gomez
Amanda Kownacki