School of Nursing Kuali PDF Assoc Prog

Personnel

Dean: Holly Gadd

Associate Dean: Frances Johnson

Graduate Program Coordinator: Frances Johnson

DNP Program Coordinator: Jill Buchholz

MSN Program Coordinator: Judy Dedeker

Graduate Enrollment Counselor: Jamie Thompson

Faculty: Jill Buchholz, Ronda Christman, Judy Dedeker, Marla Erskine, Jennifer Fisher, Holly Gadd, Cindy Johnson, Frances Johnson, Antonio Lazcano, Christine Moniyung, Linda Peoples, Cindy Rima, Elizabeth Scott, Lilly Tryon, Maria Valenca, Holly D. Walker

Adjunct Faculty: Ileanna Freeman, Harold Mayer, Joshua Michalski, Marla Nedelcu, MaryAnn C. Roberts

Mission Statement

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 School of Nursing's graduate programs are designed to provide master's and doctoral level Christian nursing education which prepares caring, competent advanced practice clinicians, educators and leaders who make a positive impact on the individuals and organizations they serve.

Goals / Objectives / Outcomes

1. provide personalized, compassionate, and coordinated care for the individual, family, or community through use of the nursing process, based on the unique variables that make up the whole person (physiological, psychological, socio-cultural, and spiritual).
2. manage the provision of nursing care through effective functioning within inter- and intra-professional teams through open communication, mutual respect and shared decision-making in order to achieve quality patient care.
3. consistently fulfill the role of member of the discipline through the assimilation of a set of nursing roles and behaviors that include integrity, accountability, civility, critical thinking, collaborative relationships, clear communication, advocacy, legal and ethical practice, community and professional involvement, and life-long learning in order to effectively demonstrate Christ-centered excellence through caring, connecting, and empowering.

Degrees Offered

The School of Nursing offers Doctoral and Master's degree programs.

BS to DNP, DNP, MSN, accelerated RN to MSN and post-master's and DNP specialist certificates are available as campus-based emphases in the following areas:

• Acute Care - Adult/Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
• Primary Care - Adult/Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
• Primary Care - Family Nurse Practitioner

Online emphases for the Doctoral and Master's degree programs include:

• Lifestyle Medicine (DNP only)
• MBA (in collaboration with School of Business: DNP and MSN - not available as accelerated RN to MSN)
• Nurse Educator (also available as post-master's and DNP specialist certificates)
• Primary Care - Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

DNP Overview

The DNP program is designed for nurses seeking their terminal degree in nursing practice. The DNP degree options are based on the Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice guidelines put forth by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN, 2006).

The BS to DNP is a program for the Registered Nurse who has completed a Bachelor's degree in Nursing and wishes to progress rapidly and seamlessly to a doctoral degree. Those enrolled in this program are not awarded the MSN degree. This program is primarily a face-to-face program with some online courses. Students are required to register for and attend a DNP seminar on campus each fall until completion of their program.

The DNP degree program is for the Registered Nurse or Advanced Practice Nurse who has completed a Master's degree in Nursing and who wishes to expand their scope of practice. This program includes both face-to-face and completely online options (see prior section - Degrees offered). All students, including those in completely online options, are required to register for and attend a DNP seminar on campus each fall until completion of their program.

Attendance at the annual, on-campus DNP Seminar (NURS 705) in the fall semester is required of all students. Failure to attend the seminar will result in suspension of enrollment until the student is able to resume commitment to degree requirements.

Accreditation

All Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and Master of Science (MSN) degree programs are approved by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), The Tennessee Board of Nursing, and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), 3343 Peachtree Road, NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, GA 30326.

Admission

1. Graduate Studies Application submitted to graduate studies office (includes the following documents):

• Completed Graduate Studies Application
• Thoughtfully written statement describing purpose and goals for pursuing selected degree and demonstrating writing skill.
• Curriculum vitae or resume
• Three recommendation forms (2 from a clinical setting; 1 academic)
• Official transcripts of a degree in nursing from a recognized college or university with an accredited program:
• Associate degree for RN-MSN program
• Bachelor's degree for MSN or BS to DNP program
• Master's degree for DNP or Post-Master's Certificate
• Doctoral degree for DNP Specialist Certificate
• Minimum cumulative graduate or undergraduate GPA of 3.00 (3.25 for Accelerated RN to MSN)
• If the candidate has previously taken 12 or more graduate credits from another college or university, the graduate GPA may be substituted for the undergraduate GPA.
• International students must
• submit official transcripts along with an evaluation by an accredited evaluation service.
• achieve a TOEFL score of 100 (Internet-based)or DuoLingo equivalent within the past year prior to application.
• have a current US nursing license.
• Documentation of successful completion of an undergraduate or graduate course in statistics (3 credit hours)

DNP applicants

• Scholarly writing sample (e.g. capstone or research paper, published article or current research article summary)

MSN/MBA and DNP/MBA applicants

• A Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) taken within the past five years. Students will be admitted based on the following formula: GPA x 200+GMAT = 1000.
• An applicant with an undergraduate degree from an accredited U.S. college or university, and who has an undergraduate GPA of 3.25 or above, or a GPA of 3.00 and five years of full-time business-related management experience may be admitted without a GMAT score.

Accelerated RN to MSN

• Completion of the following general education and cognate courses. Some courses may be taken as part of the RN-MSN program instead of as pre-requisites. Students who have completed the majority of these requirements are considered stronger candidates for admission to the RN-MSN program.
• Chemistry: Chemistry - 3 hours
• Computer - Computer - 1 hour
• Communication: Public speaking - 3 hours
• English: Composition - 6 hours
• History: Elective - 3 hours
• Religion: Elective - 3 hours
• Completion of the following general education and cognate courses at Southern Adventist University, unless otherwise approved:
• SOCI 349 Aging and Society - 3 hours
• RELT 373 Christian Ethics 3 hours
• PEAC 225 Fitness for Life - 1 hour

1. School of Nursing application requirements - documents submitted to graduate enrollment counselor in the School of Nursing

• Licensure
  • Current licensure as a registered nurse in Tennessee or current multistate license with privilege to practice in the state of Tennessee. A Georgia license is strongly encouraged for nurse practitioner students.
  • Online students must have current licensure in the state or country of practice.
  • Acute Care Specialization emphasis requires current Advanced Practice Certification as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner from a nationally recognized organization and current Advanced Practice License in state or location of practice.
• Work experience
  • Applicants should have minimum of two years (4000 hours) nursing experience prior to starting the nurse practitioner practicum hours. For those seeking an Acute Care or Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Emphasis - see below.
    • Acute Care: RN experience should include the following: invasive hemodynamic monitors (such as pulmonary artery catheter, CVP, arterial); cardiac assist devices; mechanical ventilation; and vasoactive infusions. Examples of critical care units may include but are not limited to: Surgical Intensive Care, Cardiothoracic Intensive care, Coronary Intensive Care, and Medical Intensive Care.
    • Psychiatric Mental Health RN experience should include experience in psychiatric and mental health, behavioral health, or similar care settings.
    • BS to DNP
      • Work experience as RN is recommended but not required for admission to the program.
      • Students with limited RN experience will be required to document a minimum of 4000 hours of experience prior to beginning any nurse practitioner practicum in the DNP program.
  • Exceptions related to work experience may be considered for students with limited work experience. These students are required to obtain and maintain ongoing work experience as a registered nurse or nurse practitioner while enrolled in the graduate curriculum. LPN or other healthcare experiences will be evaluated on an individual basis.
• Interview by faculty member(s)
  • Interview by faculty is scheduled once all other documents have been submitted
  • MBA Emphasis - must include personal interview with School of Business Graduate Program Coordinator.

Admission to the Program

The Graduate Nursing program admits students in the fall and winter semesters. Students may elect to attend full or part time. The program contains both online and face to face classes, depending upon the emphasis chosen by the student. Nurse practitioner emphasis courses are face to face and taught on Tuesdays.

Two step admission process:

Step 1: Complete admission requirements to Graduate Studies and interview with graduate nursing faculty.

Step 2: After a successful interview, students are offered admission into the Program, and are required to submit the following documents via the online application system.

• Physical Exam
• Criminal background check
• Drug screen
• Immunization status, titers
• Tb test, Flu shot (annual requirement while in the program)
• BLS Certification (currency must be maintained while in the program)

After all documentation has been received and meets program requirements the applicant may be fully admitted and allowed to register for classes.

Provisional Admission

Applicants with less than a 3.00 grade point average (3.25 Accelerated RN to MSN) may be admitted provisionally. Students initially granted provisional acceptance may progress through the program with a maximum of one C grade.

MBA Emphasis

• An applicant with a combined GPA/GMAT score of less than 1000 may be admitted under scholastic provisional status. A student accepted on this basis may be admitted to regular status upon the completion of 12 credit hours taken through Southern with a minimum grade of "B" in each course. Students are not permitted to repeat courses in order to satisfy this requirement. Students who do not satisfy this requirement will not be permitted to continue in the program.

Application Deadlines

All documents for Step 1 and Step 2 of the admission process must be complete by admission deadlines. Applications will be prioritized for review based on an applicant's level of education, work experience, and completion of all items of the application process.

School of Nursing application deadlines are as follows:

Applicant Notification of Admission Status

Applicants will be notified in writing of the Admissions Committee's decision within one month following the published application deadline (typically by June 1 or November 1).

Readmission

For students who have been admitted into the School of Nursing and have withdrawn from courses, for whatever reason, reapplication or readmission process is necessary, depending upon the length of time the student has been away from the program.

• If less than 1 year, complete a reactivation form.
• If 1-2 years, complete a reactivation form and meet with program coordinator to map out academic progression.
• If 2-5 years have passed, a new application is required (some items may be waived), a meeting with the program coordinator, along with an assessment of previously taken courses for currency (Pharmacology & Health Assessment).
• If more than 5 years have passed, a full application process is required, along with an assessment of previously taken courses for currency and potential need for repeat (Pharmacology & Health Assessment).

Residence

Students are expected to meet residence requirements at Southern Adventist University. Students enrolled in a graduate program in the School of Nursing (with the exception of the post-master's certificate program) are expected to complete 75% of their program at Southern (excluding pre-requisite courses). Students must complete their last 30 hours in residence.

Transfer courses must be taken at an accredited institution, carry grades of B or better, and be approved by the School of Nursing.

Validation exams may be used to meet approved program requirements in accordance with graduate catalog specifications. The School of Nursing allows up to 10 hours with approval of the graduate program coordinator, school dean and graduate dean. Validation examinations may be recorded as pass/fail or by letter grade, as determined by the School of Nursing.

Progression

A criminal background check and drug screen are required of all students upon enrollment. Background checks are paid for and completed by the student online. Drug screens are facilitated by the School of Nursing Graduate Enrollment Counselor through a drug testing service. Additional screening may be done at random. Progression may be adversely affected by negative background or drug screen reports.

Students are required to maintain current professional RN license, current immunizations, TB screening and healthcare provider CPR certification for program progression.

Students benefit from additional clinical experience.

• BS to DNP - Students entering the BS to DNP program have no requirement for experience at the time of entry into the program. It is expected, however, that they will have achieved a minimum of 2 years (4000 hours) of nursing experience prior to beginning any DNP practicum courses. At the recommendation of the faculty advisor or program administrator, a student who has less than two years of experience or whose clinical experience is remote or weak, may be required to register for NRSG 500 Individual Study and Clinical Practice, for the purposes of balancing and enriching their academic or clinical program and experience.
• MSN to DNP - Students entering the post-master's DNP program are expected to have a minimum of 2 years (4000 hours) of clinical experience at the time of application. Ongoing work experience during the program is encouraged.
• MSN - At the recommendation of the faculty advisor or program administrator, a student may be required to register for NRSG 500 Individual Study and Clinical Practice, for the purposes of balancing and enriching their academic or clinical program and experience.

Academic standing is monitored regularly for incomplete, unsatisfactory or low course grades and GPA. Students noted to have difficulties in any of these areas are subject to advisement and consideration regarding program progression. In general, the following rules apply to progression.

1. No more than one C or C+ grade is allowed during the DNP or MSN program.
2. A grade of C- or below must be repeated.
3. Only one course may be repeated in the DNP or MSN program.

Graduation Requirements

Graduate nursing students must:

• Submit an application to graduate to Graduate and Professional Studies a minimum of two months prior to the expected graduation date
• Complete all coursework with a minimum grade-point-average of 3.00
• DNP, BS to DNP, MSN and Accelerated RN to MSN students - have no more than one class with a grade below B-. Classes with a grade of C- or below will not be counted for credit toward the master's degree.

Students with dual emphases must complete coursework for both emphases. Second emphasis requirements listed in general graduate enrollment policies may be waived as needed.

Additional Information

Clinicals Outside of TN

Any student wishing to complete clinical experiences outside the state of TN must verify that state is a member of NC-SARA and seek permission from that State Board of Nursing. Clinical placements in some states may not be able to be accommodated due to specific state board of nursing regulations.

For students planning clinicals outside of the local tri-state area (AL/GA/TN): Please notify the Graduate Clinical Coordinator, as soon as possible, as the process may take up to six months to a year to complete.

Post Graduation Credentialing

Following graduation, these policies apply for the processing of education and licensing forms:

• Forms for initial certification and state licensing - no charge
• Additional licensing forms (US) - $25 per request
• Additional licensing forms (international) - $100 per request
• General credentialing reference/recommendation forms or letter - no charge

Associated Programs