A Villanova Nurse for Always

From the time she was 10 years old, Diane Bensing Schaumann ’68 FCN wanted to become a nurse. In 1964, when Diane was considering where to study, a large conversation was taking place in academic circles regarding nursing training. Nursing school diploma programs, operated largely by hospitals, were beginning to be supplanted by four-year college programs. This shift reflected a growing recognition that nurses required academic education in addition to clinical experiences. For Diane, the choice of a degree program was simple—she wanted an education that would include nursing and much more. Due to its stellar reputation and proximity to home, Diane, a Delaware County girl, set her sights on Villanova University and entered as a day student.

There were about 60 students in Diane’s freshman year nursing class, all of whom were female. Freshman courses were in the liberal arts, with a strong emphasis on the sciences, including the exacting organic and inorganic chemistry classes. During the all-important first year, nursing students remained on campus for the entire time. Beginning in sophomore year, they spent four days on campus and one day completing a hospital rotation. By junior year, the students increased their time in off campus rotations, and in senior year, they spent even more hours in actual health care settings.

A nursing student’s academic schedule was full. To complete their rigorous courses along with the equally demanding clinical rotation requirements within four years, nursing students, between their first and second years, took a six-week summer program. Diane not only had classes during the summer of 1965, but she also met the man she would marry. Robert Schaumann ’68 VSB was on campus working with the University radio station. He spied Diane when she was talking with a friend, wrangled an introduction and quickly asked for a date. They soon became a couple and married at St. Thomas of Villanova on Dec. 27, 1969.

Always practical, Diane had a plan for success at Villanova: study hard and take Friday and Saturday nights for fun. By Sunday, it was back to the serious academic routine. Besides being immersed in her studies, Diane also found that she was experiencing the impact of the tumultuous events occurring in the world, including the conflict in Vietnam and the raging opposition to it. Diane believes that for young people, it was also a time of great personal searching. There was much negativity everywhere over the United States’ involvement in Vietnam. This impacted Diane personally as Bob, a candidate in the Villanova NROTC program, prepared to leave for naval training immediately after graduation.

One of the major attractions that nursing held for Diane was its endless possibilities. Initially, she had wanted to work in preventive health care, teaching patients how to stay healthy. While she always maintained an interest in preventive care, she also was open to exploring other types of nursing. Her first position after graduating and becoming licensed was as a visiting nurse. Diane employed the philosophy that she was a guest in her patient’s home. She felt that it was imperative not to impose her own values on her patients. Rather, she saw her role as supporting her patients and providing them with the knowledge needed to make sound choices.

Diane’s next position was as a school nurse. Through the years she also worked in several hospitals in medical-surgical, post-anesthesia, coronary and intensive care units. She also was a nurse in a Veterans’ Administration hospital. As if working and raising their two daughters were not enough activity for Diane and Bob, together they pursued their MBA degrees. They each completed their programs, Diane focusing on marketing. She went on to use her Villanova and MBA education as a pharmaceutical and medical supplies sales representative.

When she considers why Villanova remains so important to her and Bob, Diane is quick to say that being at Villanova added tremendously to her knowledge and to her growth as a person. She has toured the new Driscoll Hall, home of the M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, and has been impressed with the dramatic changes in the nursing curriculum since her time at Villanova. Technology, privacy laws, the abundance of medical malpractice litigation, the ability of nursing students to study abroad, and the impacts of shortages and surpluses in nursing positions, have all brought dramatic changes to nursing. Diane believes that Villanova offers a very fine program and is pleased with the direction Fitzpatrick College of Nursing is taking to tackle ever-shifting priorities in nursing education.

Although retired, Diane still considers herself to be a Villanova nurse. In honor of her four years at the University, and their abiding impact, she has, along with Bob, made a planned gift through their revocable trust.

If, like Diane Bensing Schaumann, your Villanova experience has made a lifetime impact on you, consider remembering the University in your estate plan. It is simple to make a gift through your estate to Villanova and can be done in many ways, including through your will, with retirement assets, through life insurance or gifts of real estate, and through trusts.

To discuss an estate gift, contact Tim McKinley at 215-240-0812 or timothy.mckinley@villanova.edu. You can help someone become a Villanova nurse, for always.