Biographical Sketch

Lynne Adinolfi-Catena was a student at Kings County Hospital School of Nursing (KCHC) from 1962 to 1965 and continued her education toward a Bachelor’s Degree in Science of Nursing through the Regents External Degree Program from 1978 to 1980.

History about KCHC

Kings County Hospital School of Nursing, which was located at Brooklyn, New York, was among those nursing schools run by the hospitals. The history of Kings County Hospital School of Nursing can be traced back to October 1, 1897. The school does not exist now.^[1][2]>

History about Regent External Degree Program

After graduation from KCHC, Ms. Adinolfi went The University of the State of New York to study toward her Bachelor in Science-Nursing Degree through the Regent External Degree Program. This program is aimed at bringing good quality education to the adults who want to continue their education in New York State. The program was firstly known as Regents College which was established by The New York State Board of Regents, and the College was under the authority of The University of the State of New York. There are multiple ways to study in this program. The Regents College is the core institution, and there are satellite institutions that are also able to offer courses which can count toward the degree. For example, Ms. Adinolfi had some courses at Marymount College.

Another way to get credits is to challenge a course. The College Proficiency Exam is for those who have enough working experiences on a particular subject but have not taken any courses on that subject. Once the students pass the College Proficiency Exam, they can get the credits for that subject and do not have to take the course. In this way, the students save time and money, although they have to pay money for the examination.

The Regents External Degree Exam is another way to earn credits. It is for those who want to transfer the credits earned in the nursing school run by hospitals. Once they pass the Regents External Degree Exam, they can transfer the credits from the nursing school to the program.

The program is now moved out of the state university system and becomes an independent, private college named Excelsior College. ^[3][4]>

Scope and Contents Notes

This collection contains personal and professional papers and memorabilia of Lynne Adinolfi-Catena during the time she attended KCHC (1962-1965) and Regent External Degree Program 1978-1980). The papers includes class notes from both KCHC and Regent External Degree Program, books, documents of grades, one letter from KCHC Alumni Association, newsletters from the Regents External Degree program, and examination material.

The memorabilia includes one nurse cape used during Ms. Adinolfi’s time at KCHC with a description note, pamphlet, baby water bottle, yearbooks from KCHC, nursing diary.

Series Descriptions

Series 1: Education
 This series include two sub-series: Kings County Hospital Center and Regent External Degree Program.

KCHC (1962-1965)
In this sub-series, there are class notes at school and text books. The class notes are arranged by course subject.

Regent External Degree Program (1978 -1980)M/strong>
This sub-series includes documents and class notes including one newsletter from the External Degree Program, one letter from the KCHC Alumni Association, grades and materials of the External Degree Program and College Proficiency Exam, course grades from Marymount College which served as a satellite institute of Regents External Degree Program, and class notes.

Series 2: Artifacts
This series includes memorabilia including one nurse cape used at KCHC along with a note describing the cape, two year books (1963, 1964) of KCHC, one pamphlet, and one brand new nursing diary with illustrations.