Historical Background
The School of Nursing, founded in 1905, was the first nursing school in the Middle East. The five–year bachelor of science in nursing program, established in 1936, was replaced by a four-year program in 1964 leading to the degree of bachelor of science in nursing. Students entering the school as sophomores graduate in three calendar years. The RN-BSN program was reactivated and launched in 2003. The master of science in nursing (MSN) program was launched in 2003. The bachelor of science in nursing program (BSN) and the MSN program are registered by the Department of Education of New York State, HEGIS codes 1203.00 and 1203.10, respectively. The BSN and the MSN programs are accredited by CCNE, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, in the USA. The AUB School of Nursing is the first School of Nursing outside the US territories to be accredited by CCNE. The PhD program, also registered in New York with HEGIS code 1203.12, was launched in the academic year 2018-19. The Rafic Hariri School of Nursing became the seventh independent faculty at AUB, on September 1, 2018.
Accreditation
The baccalaureate and master’s nursing degree programs at the Hariri School of Nursing (HSON) are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) since 2007. HSON was the first nursing school outside US territories to have its BSN and MSN programs accredited in 2007. The programs are assessed by CCNE based on four standards: Mission and Governance, Institutional Commitment and Resources, Curriculum and Teaching and Learning Practices, and Assessment and Achievement of Program Outcomes. CCNE is officially recognized by the US Secretary of Education as a national autonomous accrediting agency, contributing to the improvement of the public’s health, encouraging continuing self-assessment by nursing programs, and supporting continuing growth and improvement of nursing education. Being accredited by CCNE, ensures the quality and integrity of baccalaureate and graduate programs at HSON, in addition to effective educational practices. The most recent accreditation renewal by CCNE for HSON was in 2022 for a period of 10 years till 2032.
Mission
The mission of the School of Nursing is to promote and maintain the highest educational standards of excellence, integrity and professionalism in nursing, following the American model of nursing education and practice. The school aims to provide learning opportunities that will enable students to grow into competent nurses guided by ethical principles, who respect cultural diversity while coordinating and delivering high quality and compassionate nursing care in Lebanon and the region. The faculty believes education is an interactive process between faculty and students with both taking responsibility for active learning. The baccalaureate program, drawn primarily from the humanities, sciences, and caring disciplines focuses on the use of nursing theory and research as a basis for practice. The master’s program focuses on preparing nurses for advanced nursing practice roles. It is based on the use and generation of research-based knowledge to guide practice. The PhD program in nursing science aims to provide rigorous training for research careers in nursing and healthcare. The program is intended to produce research scientists who will make significant and original contributions to nursing practice, health promotion, health maintenance, population health, and healthcare delivery. Nursing students at AUB learn to think critically, develop professional attitudes and leadership skills, and appreciate the value of life-long learning and freedom of speech.
Vision
The Rafic Hariri School of Nursing aspires to become the leading school of nursing in Lebanon and the region, nationally and internationally recognized for excellence in education, research, and service.
The school is committed to offering cutting-edge, culturally relevant, and internationally recognized graduate and undergraduate education. Such education would foster lifelong learning and scholarship, develop leaders in nursing and healthcare, and attract a competent and culturally diverse student body.