Mission

The mission of the College of Nursing is to compassionately educate a diverse community of nurse leaders who demonstrate excellence in advancing interprofessional, equitable and ethical care. This mission is achieved through excellence in teaching, learning and assessment; advancement of implementation science; strong partnership networks; and service to others.

Vision

Our vision is to build a nursing workforce, aligned with population needs, that advances health equity and transforms the health and well-being of Lake County, the region and our nation.

Improving Nursing Starts Locally

Lake County, just north of Chicago, Illinois, is home to several major healthcare systems, a large public health department, a Federal Health Care Center and the corporate headquarters of major biopharmaceutical companies. But it’s never had a college of nursing — until now, that is.

RFU’s College of Nursing is the result of several years of planning and building relationships with various strategic local partners. Of particular importance are the healthcare systems that need nurses in the ER, for critical care, pediatrics, maternity, mental health and many other areas of service. These include Northwestern Medicine, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, NorthShore University Health System, the Lake County Health Department and the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center.

Academic partners also include neighboring Lake Forest College and the College of Lake County, in addition to business, government and community organizations from across Lake County. Community partners include Lake County Partners and Lake County government, among others.

Our shared vision of nursing leadership:

• Addresses nursing profession shortages both locally and nationally
• Builds diversity among future nursing professionals
• Improves healthcare access and quality for the communities in Lake County and neighboring McHenry County