About the Keigwin School of Nursing
Our History and Our Future
In 1981, a chronic shortage of nurses in Jacksonville coupled with the concern about
nurses鈥� clinical preparation, prompted top-level managers of Baptist Medical Center
to contact administrators at JU regarding the possibility of initiating a generic
baccalaureate nursing program. An advisory committee which consisted of master鈥檚 prepared
nurses within the Baptist Medical Center system assisted in the development of the
curriculum. The Florida Board of Nursing granted Provisional Approval to the JU SON
in February 1982. Faculty was hired in the spring of 1983, and the first class was
admitted in fall 1983. The first class of seven students graduated in June 1986. Initial
accreditation by the National League for Nursing was applied for and received in 1988.
The school has maintained full accreditation since that time, first through NLN, and,
since 1998, from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Historic Timeline
1983 first cohort admitted to traditional BSN
1991 first cohort admitted to completion program (RN-BSN)
2000 second degree (accelerated) BSN program started
2000 MSN degree was first offered (EDU/ADMIN)
2001 RN-BSN was first offered online
2007 Family Nurse Practitioner with ENP sub-specialization began
2011 first cohort admitted to Doctor of Nursing Practice degree
2013 MSN cognates changed to Leadership and Clinical Nurse Educator
2015 first cohort admitted to BSN-DNP
2016 RN-MSN and MSN cognate for Nursing Informatics began
2016 Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner began
2017 Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner began
2017 SON becomes the Keigwin School of Nursing
2019 Graduate Nursing moves to the newly built Health Sciences Complex
2019 Undergraduate Nursing is now housed solely in the BRCHS building
2021 12-month ABSN program started in August
2023 12-month ABSN Palm Coast ABSN program started in January
2023 12-month ABSN partnership with Mayo Clinic announced
JU is the proud home to the Keigwin School of Nursing, thanks to a multi-million dollar
gift from Beverly and Jack Keigwin that was announced on March 1, 2017. The Keigwin鈥檚
donation is the largest in the nursing school鈥檚 37 year history. Jack Keigwin, former
Board of Trustee member, executive-in-residence and friend to the University said
the gift is one of the most meaningful ones he and his wife have made. Beverly Keigwin,
a former nurse, and successful business woman has devoted her time, energy, and passion
to the nursing students.
(From left: Beverly Keigwin, Jack Keigwin, and President Tim Cost in 2017)
Download the Strategic Plan