2009-2010 Undergraduate Catalog - Belmont University

School of Nursing

Chris Algren, Jean Blank, Martha Buckner, Donna Copenhaver, Lucyellen Dahlgren, Sharon Dowdy,  Keary Dryden, Ruby Dunlap, Leslie Folds, Beth Hallmark, Carrie Harvey, Betsy Hay, Kathy Jordan, Deanna Kuhn, Sandra Murabito, Jane Shelby, Lynne Shores, Linda Wofford, Debra Wollaber, Beth Youngblood.

Vision:

The vision of the School of Nursing is to champion excellence and transform lives in a caring Christian community.

Mission:

The School of Nursing’s mission is to be a student centered Christian community providing an academically challenging education that enables men and women of diverse backgrounds to practice professional nursing with disciplined intelligence, compassion and faith. 

Purpose:

The purpose of the School of Nursing is to prepare professional nurses for beginning practice in a variety of health care settings. The student's education in the liberal arts, sciences and nursing will enable the graduate to contribute to improving the quality of life for self, clients and community. Students completing the program of studies in the School of Nursing are prepared to continue life-long learning, including graduate studies.

Affiliation:

Belmont University School of Nursing is a member of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing and the Southern Council of Collegiate Education for Nursing. The baccalaureate program is approved by the Tennessee Board of Nursing and fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. In addition, the School of Nursing holds the charter for the Omicron Phi chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing and is a member institution of the Nightingale Society.

Admission to the School of Nursing

Belmont University admission requirements must be met in order for an application to the School of Nursing to be reviewed.

Admission Requirements

Applicants should carefully read Belmont University Admission Requirements. In addition to meeting the criteria for admission to Belmont University, the applicant to the School of Nursing must meet the following:

  1. An applicant who is not a licensed registered nurse must submit his/her high school transcript and test scores from either the SAT1 or ACT.
  2. Applicants with a previous undergraduate degree will not need to submit high school transcripts or ACT/SAT scores.
  3. Applicants who have prior university work must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. GPA will be calculated on courses required in the nursing curriculum. Preference is given to applicants with a GPA of 3.0 and above.
  4. Students who have a previous baccalaureate degree from an accredited U.S. university are exempt from all General Education requirements except for the six hour Religion requirement. The students will be required to meet all nursing pre-requisite courses.
  5. Courses in Anatomy and Physiology must have been completed within the Last three years prior to admission.
  6. For transfer students (generic students, not RN’s) who have taken a Pathophysiology and/or Pharmacology course at another school, the following is required:
    1. If the student received a grade of “A” in the previous course, it is recommended that they audit NUR 2240 (Pathophysiology) and/or NUR 3140 (Pharmacology) at Belmont.
    2. If the student received any grade below an "A" in the previous course, they will be required to enroll in NUR 2240 (Pathophysiology) and/or NUR 3140 (Pharmacology) at Belmont.
  7. In general, the only students eligible to take summer clinical courses are students in the Accelerated Second Degree BSN option.
  8. Persons who have been convicted of a crime, other than a minor traffic violation, could be ineligible for registered nurse licensure in the state of Tennessee even though they successfully complete the program.

    See General Education section for requirements for bachelor degrees.
    Contact the school for further information.

Accelerated BSN Option

This option is available to students who have earned a prior bachelor's degree.

Fast Track Option

The Fast Track Option is for transfer students who lack only their nursing courses.  This option accelerates the nursing curriculum by eliminating one full semester.  Students may start this program in the fall or spring semester. Students will apply for the Fast Track Option during the first semester of enrollment in nursing courses.  Students will need to meet the following criteria for selection into the Fast Track Option:

Screening Criteria
  1. Almost all general education courses and prerequisites must be completed.
  2. The student must have a minimum of a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in core math and science courses.
  3. The student must demonstrate understanding of commitment to an intensive program.
  4. Admission into the Fast Track option will be determined by the Admission and Progression Committee. 
  5. Students who have failed previous nursing courses are not eligible to apply or to continue in the Fast Track option.
Progression Criteria
  1. B (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) or greater in each nursing course on the first attempt.
  2. An advisory meeting.
  3. Signed agreement form for Fast Track Program of Study.

Advanced Placement

  1. Transfer credits or credit by C.L.E.P. or A.P. may be awarded for non-nursing courses as described in the Belmont University Bulletin.
  2. Graduates of associate degree and diploma programs who are RN's are eligible to earn credit in selected nursing courses. Contact the School of Nursing office for additional information at 615-460-6139.
Progression Requirements
  1. Students must achieve a grade of “C” (2.0) or above in Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II in order to enter and/or progress in the School of Nursing.
  2. If a student earns less than a grade of “C” (2.0) in Human Anatomy and Physiology I and/or II, the student must successfully repeat the course prior to progressing in School of Nursing (SON) courses.
  3. Subsequent to admission in the Belmont University School of Nursing, students must take all nursing courses at Belmont University.
  4. All requirements for an "I" in prerequisite and/or nursing courses must be completed before a student can progress to the next semester.
  5. Withdrawal for any reason will necessitate reapplication and reconsideration for admission.
  6. A student wishing to alter a course of study must submit a written request to the Admission and Progression Committee in the School of Nursing. The alteration must be specifically outlined in the request.
  7. Any nursing major who demonstrates behavior inconsistent with the code of conduct in The Guide, the Belmont University School of Nursing Student Handbook, or professional nursing is subject to immediate dismissal from the SON.
  8. A student who fails one nursing course with a grade of D, F, or WF may repeat the failed course the following semester.  A student may not enroll in additional nursing courses while repeating the failed course.
  9. A student who fails either one nursing course twice or two nursing courses with a grade of D, F, or WF will be dismissed from the SON.
  10.  Students who are dismissed from the SON may choose to reapply and must initiate the reapplication process by notifying the SON Admission and Progression (AP) committee in writing prior to December 31, May 31, or August 15 depending on the semester in which they wish to reenroll. The student will then be notified of the time and date of the Readmission Committee (RAC) meeting and will be asked to provide a written document outlining their desire for readmission and their plan for academic success in future courses. 

Students meeting the criteria in number 10 above will appear before the Readmission Committee. Students will be allowed to make a brief presentation describing their desire to continue in the nursing program and any extenuating factors they’d like to share. The student will also be asked to respond to questions from the RAC.

The RAC will consist of:
     Members of the SON Admission and Progression committee
     A non-nursing faculty member
     A recent nursing graduate

Other persons who may attend the readmission meeting include:  
  • The faculty member in the course in which the student was unsuccessful
  • The student may invite one additional person with information pertinent to the student situation. However there will be no representation by an attorney regardless of university community membership. Family members of the student are also not permitted at the appeal meeting.
The RAC will then make a decision regarding readmission and individualized remediation and communicate this to the student in writing within 2-3 business days. If readmitted, the individualized remediation plan must be completed prior to re-enrolling in any nursing courses.  Remediation requirements may include but are not limited to one or more of the following:
·       
Achieving a prescribed minimum on a required standardized exam ·       
Demonstrating selected nursing skills ·       
Completing a prescribed case study review ·       
Re-taking a pre-requisite course

Graduation Requirements

In addition to meeting the general university requirements for graduation, students must pass a comprehensive examination in nursing during their last semester of nursing courses.

Additional Requirements for Entering Clinical Nursing Courses

  1. Clinical dress policy is described in the Nursing Student Handbook.
  2. Each student is required to have a watch with second hand, bandage scissors, stethoscope, and a lab coat.
  3. Each student is required to verify health status.
  4. Current health professional CPR certification is required of each student.
  5. Health insurance is required of each student.
  6. Verification of required immunizations, titers, and skin tests must be in the student's record.
  7. RN students must show proof of current licensure.
  8. Student will be required to complete a criminal background check at their own expense.
  9. Students are required to provide their own transportation to clinical settings.