Sentara College of Health Sciences

What is the history of Sentara College of Health Sciences?

Sentara College of Health Sciences grew out of hospital-based nursing education in the Hampton Roads region. Its roots reach back to the late nineteenth century, when training nurses for local hospital care was its central purpose.

Over time, the school expanded beyond nursing into other health professions and adopted the Sentara College of Health Sciences name. Its connection to Sentara Health continues to shape its clinical focus, but applicants should distinguish the college from the health system's hospitals: admission to the college does not mean employment with Sentara Health.

What are the faculties and departments at Sentara College of Health Sciences?

Sentara College of Health Sciences is a specialized health-care college, not a university organized around a broad range of liberal arts and professional schools. Its academic offerings center on nursing and allied health fields, including diagnostic medical sonography, cardiovascular technology, and surgical technology.

Programs may lead to different credentials and have different entry points. For example, an applicant pursuing nursing should check whether a particular pathway is intended for someone entering the profession or for an already licensed registered nurse. Clinical placements, laboratory instruction, and professional eligibility requirements can also differ substantially by program. The current program catalog is the appropriate place to confirm a credential's curriculum and whether it prepares graduates to seek a particular certification or license.

What is the location of Sentara College of Health Sciences?

Sentara College of Health Sciences is in Chesapeake, Virginia, within the Hampton Roads metropolitan area. Its location is relevant to students who expect to commute to class and travel to clinical sites elsewhere in the region.

Chesapeake is part of a multi-city area that includes Norfolk and Virginia Beach. Applicants should assess travel times for both classroom instruction and assigned clinical experiences; the two may take place at different locations or hours. Norfolk International Airport is the region's principal nearby airport, although routine access to a car or other reliable transportation is likely to matter more for many students.

What is the mission and vision of Sentara College of Health Sciences?

Sentara College of Health Sciences states an educational mission focused on preparing health professionals for patient care. Its stated priorities emphasize clinical knowledge, professional practice, and service to communities.

That purpose is narrower than the mission of a general-purpose college. Students comparing institutions should look at how a chosen program puts it into practice through supervised clinical education, simulation, and its stated learning outcomes. A mission statement describes the college's aims; it does not, by itself, establish the results of every program.