Dr. Susan L. Davis, R.N., & Richard J. Henley College of Nursing

The Dr. Susan L. Davis, R.N., & Richard J. Henley College of Nursing lives the Sacred Heart University mission to the fullest every day. So do our faculty and staff, our students and our graduates—all committed to serving others with compassion.

Admission to the College is competitive, and our programs are growing strategically to meet the urgent need for more nurses at every level—addressing a longtime shortage worsened by the pandemic. Our ongoing record of ensuring the highest quality academic standards has resulted in ready-to-work graduates who are highly sought after for their leadership, critical-thinking skills and Pioneer Spirit.

One of the College’s more recent innovations is the development of the new interdisciplinary Center for Compassion to strengthen our understanding of the importance of compassion in health care—through focused scholarly projects, expert-led seminars and student, faculty and community engagement. Additionally, for the past four years, our faculty and students have led evidence-based education projects with local clinical partners, resulting in a significant reduction in the overall amount of opioid prescriptions in Fairfield County, and improved outcomes in the greater Bridgeport community. Our deep roots in the community through partnerships are increasing equitable access to health care, helping to fulfill our mission of service to society.

Nurses & Knowledge for Tomorrow's Health Care

Now is the time to build on this incredible momentum. Investments through Now We Lead will have a ripple effect, impacting not just nursing students but the diverse populations they will serve. With your support, we will:

Increase scholarship funding

Endowed scholarships benefit not just one student but generations of students over time, making it possible for talented and diverse students to enroll in—and graduate from—our competitive programs. As enrollment grows to meet the nation’s surging demand for nurses, your support is critical in helping more students afford tuition and related expenses. These include global learning experiences that broaden student perspectives, such as a semester abroad on SHU’s campus in Dingle, Ireland, or weeklong immersion in Appalachia.

Advance nursing research

As SHU progresses toward a major increase in academic research, Now We Lead will increase funding for faculty and faculty-student research teams seeking to advance nursing practice and improve patient outcomes. Additional funding can support research on focused topics such as global nursing curriculum, interprofessional education, impact of nursing interventions, mindfulness, trauma-informed care and education, compassion and self-care.

Enhance learning with new technology

Opened in 2017, the Center for Healthcare Education has expanded our capabilities thanks to technologically advanced classrooms, skills labs and learning spaces, with a 60,000-square-foot addition under way. However, to remain state-of-the-art requires the implementation of virtual reality and artificial intelligence. Through your generosity, faculty will be able to use the latest technology to lead students through challenging cases, improve their ability to think critically, analyze information and make decisions as part of a team. Our dedication to excellence in all that we do has positioned the Dr. Susan L. Davis, R.N., & Richard J. Henley College of Nursing as a premier College of Nursing, which would not be possible without your generous support.

For more information, contact:

Richard Henderson
Associate Vice President of University Advancement & Philanthropic Campaigns
203-365-4819
hendersonr2@sacredheart.edu