Dean: Holly Gadd
Associate Dean: Frances Johnson
Faculty: Kerry Allen, Nicholas Beaumonte Jr., Jill Buchholz, Ronda Christman, Judith Dedeker, Marla Erskine, Jennifer Fisher, Holly Gadd, Pam Gammenthaler, LaShawn Horton, Cynthia Johnson, Frances Johnson, Antonio Lazcano, Sylvia Mayer, Christine Moniyung, Linda Peoples, Rebecca Retzer, Andrew Richards, Cindy Rima, Elizabeth Scott, Christy Showalter, Christina Shrode, Elizabeth Snyder, Lilly Tryon, Maria Valenca, Holly Walker, Joelle Wolf
Director of Nursing Admissions and Progressions: Sylvia Mayer
Program Coordinators:
Admission to nursing is competitive. Meeting minimum admission requirements does not guarantee acceptance into clinical nursing courses. The SON makes the final decision on acceptance and progression in nursing.
BSN Nursing Degree (Winter Start)
The student is eligible to take NCLEX-RN® following the pre-licensure BSN degree, which is a generic, 4-year program with admission to clinical nursing second semester sophomore year (3 semesters pre-nursing + 5 semesters of nursing).
In keeping with recommendations for the BS/BSN as the entry level for practice (IOM, Future of Nursing, AACN, NLN, etc.), completion of a BSN Program enhances professional opportunities through study in theoretical and clinical nursing.
AS Nursing Degree + RN-BSN Articulated Program (Fall & Winter Start)
The student is eligible to take NCLEX-RN® following the AS degree (2 semesters pre-nursing + 4 semesters of nursing). The AS graduate transitions seamlessly to senior RN-BSN nursing courses (2 semesters) which leads to a 4-year baccalaureate degree (BSN) in nursing.
Students seeking the AS degree are encouraged to declare both the AS and BSN degree when applying to the University making a double AS Nursing/BSN major. In addition to other benefits, from a financial perspective, there is a benefit to declaring both majors. When graduated from AS Nursing, the major will convert to BSN.
LPN-RN (Pre-licensure) The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) may bridge to RN via either the BSN or AS program. Both degrees prepare students to pass the NCLEX-RN® licensure exam and move into entry-level RN positions. Equivalent general education and cognate courses from regionally accredited schools transfer into the LPN-RN Program.
LPN-BSN Upon acceptance into the LPN-BSN nursing program (See Admission Requirements), the LPN takes a bridge course, LPN-RN Perspectives, and all nursing courses, except Fundamentals of Nursing. After satisfactorily completing at least 10 credits, Fundamentals of Nursing (7 credits) is placed on the transcript ($280 transfer fee). After completing required nursing and non-nursing courses, the successful LPN-RN student receives a BSN degree and is eligible to write the NCLEX-RN® exam and become a registered nurse. Total of 5 semesters of nursing courses, plus, general education and cognates.
LPN-AS Upon acceptance into the LPN-AS nursing program (See Admission Requirements), the LPN takes a bridge course, LPN-RN Perspectives, and enters the second level (semester) of the four-level AS nursing program. After satisfactorily completing at least 10 credits, Fundamentals of Nursing (7 credits) will be placed on the transcript ($280 transfer fee). The successful LPN-RN student receives an AS degree and is eligible to write the NCLEX-RN® exam and become a registered nurse. Total of 3 semesters of nursing courses, plus, general education and cognates.
The School of Nursing provides a Christian learning environment that nurtures a culture of integrity and academic excellence, and prepares caring, competent professionals to serve the diverse healthcare needs of individuals, families, and communities within a global context.
The graduate will:
The School of Nursing offers two pre-licensure Nursing programs, BSN and AS. A post-licensure RN to BSN degree is also offered. The pre-licensure BSN, AS, and LPN-AS and LPN-BSN) programs are available as campus-based programs. The RN-BSN is available as a campus-based program as well as online and off-campus consortium program in Chattanooga. All programs may be taken full or part-time.
Pre-nursing students may declare the pre-licensure BSN, AS, or the AS plus RN-BSN for the Nursing Major. Declaration as a nursing major is not the equivalent of acceptance to the SON, which requires a second application and acceptance.
Student learning is supported by faculty, a well-equipped Learning Resource Center (LRC), clinical skills laboratory, simulation laboratory, and a tutorial program (Assisting Students to Achieve Professionally [ASAP]), and campus resources.
The Adventist Nursing Framework, which emphasizes whole-person health, provides the context and structure for the nursing programs.
The School of Nursing (SON) has a comprehensive assessment program. Pre-licensure BSN and AS students are required to complete standardized competency examinations throughout the nursing curriculum. Pre-licensure BSN and AS graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN). The TBN requires an annual pass rate of 85% or higher on the NCLEX-RN for a school to maintain approval.
The programs in nursing (BSN, AS, RN-BSN) are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), 3343 Peachtree Road, NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, GA 30326. The nursing programs are approved by the Tennessee Board of Nursing (TBN).
Pre-licensure BSN and AS Programs
Including LPN-RN
Upon admission into the nursing program, the following requirements apply.
Progression and Readmission Requirements
Complete and detailed policies are found in http://www.southern.edu/nursing
Students who have taken all general education and cognates for the AS and RN-BSN programs may take BSN completion nursing classes early if approved by BSN faculty and student adviser as follows.
Pre-licensure BSN and AS
Students admitted to nursing courses will accept personal responsibility for their learning and professional behavior. Each student contracts to abide by policies as stated in the SON Student Handbook http://www.southern.edu/nursing.
Students are expected to provide their own transportation for all clinical appointments.
The university assesses lab fees for certain courses across campus. BSN, AS and RN-BSN classes have fees which are listed in the course descriptions section of this Catalog.
Drug Screen
By enrolling at Southern, all nursing students agree to random drug testing (may include testing for illicit drugs, nicotine and/or alcohol). The SON has a zero tolerance policy with respect to illicit drug use. A drug screen will be required of any new student accepted into the undergraduate nursing programs. A drug screen will also be required for an enrollment lapse of one semester or more. Students may be screened at any other time for random testing, reasonable suspicion or evidence of alcohol or drug use. Violation and positive drug screens will result in disciplinary action up to and including dismissal.
Prescription Medications
Upon admission to the SON, a student on a prescription medication is obligated to provide documentation from a Health Care Provider. Documentation is once again required upon any changes in the prescription or upon addition of any new prescription throughout the student's time in the nursing program.
Background Check
All students are required to have a criminal background check. The SON uses Package SC87 with the vendor CastleBranch.com. The TBN and other State Boards reserve the right to deny licensure if the applicant has committed a crime other than a minor traffic violation. The SON reserves the right to deny admission to or remove students from the nursing program who have records of misconduct, legal or otherwise, that would jeopardize their professional performance.
Program and Policy Changes
The SON reserves the right to revise, add, or withdraw policies and/or courses as necessary to ensure a quality nursing program.
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), specifically designed for the Registered Nurse (RN), provides an opportunity for any licensed RN educated at the associate degree or diploma level to achieve academic and personal goals and to develop stronger clinical reasoning and analytical skills to advance their careers.
RN to BSN tracks for completing senior BSN nursing courses.
Students accepted into the SAU articulated AS Nursing Program transition seamlessly into the senior RN-BSN courses. Transfer students who are graduates of accredited Associate and Diploma Nursing Programs may apply for acceptance into the senior RN to BSN nursing courses by sending an application to the SON's Director of Admissions and Progressions.
Upon acceptance to the nursing program, courses listed in the current catalog will be required. To complete senior RN-BSN nursing courses in one year (two semesters) on campus, all non-nursing course requirements must be completed prior to the two semesters of senior BSN nursing classes.
Associate Degree Graduates
Graduates of a state approved associate degree nursing program will be considered to have met General Education requirements for the first two years of the program with the exception of Communication and Public Speaking, English, Statistics, Fitness for Collegiate Life, and Computer Concepts provided that the GPA is 2.50 or above. If ENGL 101, ENGL 102, COMM 135, CPTE 100, MATH 215, and PEAC 125 were not included in the associate degree program, they must be taken in fulfillment of the BSN degree General Education requirements.
Diploma Graduates
Minimum requirements for admission to the RN-BSN (all tracks) program as follows: