Founded in 1892 Labouré College boasts a rich history. It began as the Carney Hospital Training School for Nurses in South Boston. The Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul sponsored this pioneering institution. It was the longest-running nursing education program in the Boston area. Labouré College wasn’t always located here in Milton.
For many years Labouré College resided in Dorchester. In 1949 a significant change occurred. The Carney Hospital school merged with two other nursing schools. These were St John’s School of Nursing in Lowell and St Margaret’s School of Nursing in Dorchester. The combined schools formed the Catherine Labouré School of Nursing. It was named after St Catherine Labouré a significant figure in Catholic history. The new school opened in 1951. It moved to the new Carney Hospital site in Dorchester in 1954.
The college underwent several name changes. In 1971 it became Catherine Labouré Junior College. This reflected its newly gained authority to award degrees. In 1984 it became Catherine Labouré College. Finally in 1993 it simplified its name to Labouré College. In 1997 it became part of the Caritas Christi Health Care system. Its name changed again to Caritas Labouré College in 2005. The name officially reverted to Labouré College in 2009.
Labouré College’s history includes various affiliations. Until 1997 the Daughters of Charity sponsored it. Later it affiliated with Steward Health Care System. However in 2013 it disaffiliated. This marked a new era of independence for Labouré College. In that same year 2013 Labouré College relocated to its current Milton campus. It’s located at 303 Adams Street. This building previously housed Aquinas College. It’s adjacent to Fontbonne Academy.
Today Labouré College remains a vital part of the healthcare community. It offers associate and bachelor’s degrees in nursing and allied health programs. It’s a commuter college. Most of its students are part-time. The average age is around 31. Labouré College continues its mission to educate and train healthcare professionals. It carries on the legacy of its founders. The college upholds values of compassion dignity and empathy. Its commitment to excellence ensures it remains a leader in nursing education.