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2013-2014 Undergraduate Catalog - Belmont University

School of Nursing

Jamie Adam, Diane Allen, Dana Balch, Jean Blank,  Loretta Bond, Martha Buckner, Victoria Buechel, Sara Camp, Robin Cobb, Donna Copenhaver, Lucyellen Dahlgren, Keary Dryden, Ruby Dunlap, Martha Ezell, Leslie Folds, Beth Hallmark, Carrie Harvey, BJ Hutchins, Tracy Johnson, Kathy Jordan, Deanna Kuhn, Angela Lane, Beth Miller, Emily Morse, Sandra Murabito, Barbara Padovich, Sandra Rosedale, Jill Rutter, Erin Shankel, Lynne Shores, Susan Taplin, Sarah Tarr, Cathy Taylor, Tracy Wilson, Linda Wofford.

Vision:

The vision of the School of Nursing is to promote health, improve care, and impact cost through excellence in teaching, practice, service, and scholarship in the context of a caring Christian environment.

Mission:

The School of Nursing is a student-centered Christian community which embraces a culture of openness and mutual respect, excellence in teaching, and the priviledge of service.  We strive to provide an academically challenging education that enables men and women of diverse backgrounds to safely practice professional nursing with disciplined intelligence, compassion, courage, and faith. 

Affiliation:

Belmont University School of Nursing is a member of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, the National League for Nursing and the Southern Council of Collegiate Education for Nursing. The program is approved by the Tennessee Board of Nursing. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs are 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.

Admission to the School of Nursing

Candidates are required to meet the admission requirements for Belmont University and the minimum admission criteria for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program to be eligible for admission.

Admission Criteria

In addition to meeting the admission criteria for Belmont University, applicants to the School of Nursing must meet the following requirements:

  1. Traditional and transfer applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Partners in Nursing applicants must have a GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale with preference given to applicants with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
  2. Applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in core math and science courses.
  3. Applicants must have a 22 ACT composite test score or 1050 SAT composite test score.
  4. 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.
  5. Courses in Anatomy and Physiology must have been completed within the Last three years prior to admission.
  6. Transfer students (excluding RNs) who have completed Pathophysiology and/or Pharmacology at another institution must meet the following criteria for transfer credit:
    1. If the student received a grade of “A” in the previous course, it is recommended that he/she 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, he/she will be required to enroll in NUR 2240 (Pathophysiology) and/or NUR 3140 (Pharmacology) at Belmont.
  7. Applicants to the Accelerated Second Degree BSN program must complete all prerequisite coursework prior to program enrollment.
  8. Clinical coursework offered during the summer term is reserved exclusively for students in the Accelerated Second Degree program.
  9. 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.

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 reviewed and approved by the Admission and Progression Committee before the change can occur.
  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 are allowed to reapply one time and must initiate the reapplication process by notifying the SON Admission and Progression (AP) committee in writing prior to the end of the semester preceding the reapplication term. The student will then be notified of the time and date of the Readmission Appeals Committee (RAC) meeting and will be asked to provide a written document outlining their appeal for readmission and their plan for academic success in future courses. 

Students meeting the criteria in number 10 above will appear before the Readmission Appeals Committee (RAC). Students will be permitted to give a five minute presentation outlining their appeal to continue in the nursing program and any extenuating factors they wish to share. The student will also be asked to respond to a series of 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 is permitted to attend.
  • Representation by an attorney is not permitted regardless of university community membership. Family members of the student are not permitted to attend 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         
  • Reenrolling in select prerequisite and/or nursing course(s)

Additional Requirements for Entering Clinical Nursing Courses

  1. Each student must be compliant with the School of Nursing clinical dress code as outlined in the Nursing Student Handbook.
  2. Each student is required to have a watch with second hand, bandage scissors, stethoscope, blood pressure cuff, and a lab coat.
  3. Each student is required to verify health status by establishing a Complio account.
  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 Complio record.
  7. Each studnet is required to provide their own transportation to clinical settings.
  8. Each student must complete a criminal background check and drug screen if required by agency.
  9. RN students must show proof of current licensure

Accelerated BSN Option

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

Fast Track Option

The Fast Track Option is for transfer students who lack primarily nursing coursework..  This option condenses the nursing curriculum by eliminating one full semester.  Students may start this program in the fall or spring semester. Studentsmust must submit an application for the Fast Track Option during the first semester of enrollment in nursing clinical.  Students are required to meet the following criteria for selection into the Fast Track Option:

Admission Criteria
  1. All prerequisite coursework and nearly all general education coursework must be complete at the time of application.
  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 have a 3.0 in nursing coursework at midterm of the semester in which he/she applies.
  4. The student must demonstrate understanding of commitment to an intensive program by submitting a signed agreement upon acceptance into the program.
  5. Admission into the Fast Track option will be determined by the Admission and Progression Committee. 
  6. Students who have failed previous nursing courses are not eligible to apply or to continue in the Fast Track option.
Progression Criteria
  1. Students accepted into the Fast Track Option must earn a final grade of 3.0 or above in each nursing course to remain in the program. Students who do not earn a minimum of 3.0 in nursing coursework will be removed from the Fast Track Option.

Advanced Placement

  1. Transfer credits or credit by CLEP or AP or IB may be awarded for non-nursing courses as described in the Belmont University Undergraduate Catalog.
  2. Graduates of associate degree and diploma programs who are RN's are eligible to earn credit in selecte nursing courses. Please contact the School of Nursing for more information.

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.