St Lukes Hospital School of Nursing
Bethlehem, PA801 Ostrum Street, Bethlehem, PA 18015
484-526-3401
Founded in 1884, St. Luke’s Hospital School of Nursing in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania was one of the first hospital-based nursing schools in the United States. The school was founded by the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi in response to a need for trained nurses to care for the sick and injured in the hospital. The school operated until 1986, when it closed due to declining enrollment.
The school offered a three-year program leading to a diploma in nursing. The curriculum included coursework in anatomy, physiology, chemistry, and other sciences, as well as nursing theory and practice. Graduates of the program were prepared to take the state licensing exam and to begin their careers as registered nurses.
During its 102 years of operation, the school graduated more than 5,000 nurses. Many of these nurses went on to have long and successful careers in nursing, serving in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare settings. The school also had a significant impact on the Bethlehem community, providing employment for local residents and supporting the local economy.
The closure of the St. Luke’s Hospital School of Nursing was a significant loss for the Bethlehem community. The school had been an important part of the community for more than 100 years, and its closure left a void that has yet to be filled.
Quick Facts
Enrollment: 228
Type: Private not-for-profit, less-than 2-year
Main Website: https://www.slhn.org/bethlehem
Financial Aid: https://www.slhn.org/son/admissions/cost-of-attendance-and-financial-aid