College of nursing , Kottayam was started in May 1982, as the third Government College of Nursing in Kerala. Prof C.Chandrakanthi assumed charge as the first Director of the College on 20-05-1982.The first batch of 25 students were admitted on 03-01-1983.Since the physical facilities at Kottayam  were inadequate,College functioned at College of Nursing, Trivandrum from January 1983 to November 1985. In 1984 when Mahatma Gandhi University came into existence, the College was affliated to MG university. In November 1989, the College was shifted to kottayam with three batches of students and started functioning at the old administrative block of Medical College.The student strength was enhanced from 25 to 50 from 1994 admission onwards.

The new building for the college was inaugurated on 29-06-1997 by Shri A.C Shanmughadas the Honourable Minister for Health and Family Welfare.