School of Nursing
Elaine Blake, Martha Buckner, Sharon Dowdy, Ruby Dunlap, Laura Gerleve, Judy Gunter, Beth Hallmark, Sheron Salyer, Jane Shelby, Lynne Shores.

Vision:

To educate in a Christian environment the professional nurse who will continue to pursue knowledge and to serve humankind in a caring, holistic manner.

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 is a member of the Council of Baccalaureate and Higher Degree Programs of the National League for Nursing, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing and the Southern Council on Collegiate Education for Nursing. The baccalaureate program is approved by the Tennessee Board of Nursing and accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission.

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 meet the minimum ACT score required by the university.
2. 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.
3. For generic students who transfer courses in Anatomy and Physiology which were taken five or more years prior to admission to the School of Nursing, successful completion of one of the following options is required:
   1. The student may choose to repeat Anatomy and Physiology (both semesters) or,
   2. The student may update knowledge by successful completion of a two-hour nursing course "Special Topics" and completion of the CAI's in the School of Nursing computer lab pertaining to Anatomy and Physiology.
4. 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 224 (Pathophysiology) and/or NUR 314 (Pharmacology) at Belmont.
   2. If the student received a grade of "B" in the previous course, they will be required to audit NUR 224 (Pathophysiology) and/or NUR 314 (Pharmacology) at Belmont.
   3. If the student received a grade of "C" or below in the previous course, they will be required to enroll and repeat NUR 224 (Pathophysiology) and/or NUR 314 (Pharmacology) at Belmont.
5. International students must be eligible for English 101 to be admitted to nursing.
6. 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 pages 64-67 for general requirements for bachelor degrees. Contact the school for further information.

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 615-460-6107.

Progression Requirements

1. In addition to meeting the general university requirements, nursing students must achieve a minimum grade of "C" in each required support course. Once admitted, the student must maintain a "C" average each semester in order to continue in the nursing program.
2. If a student earns less than the minimum grade of "C" in any required support course, suspension from the School of Nursing is automatic. Progression in nursing courses is not possible until the support course is successfully completed with a grade of "C" or better. If successful completion is not obtained within one academic year, dismissal from the School of Nursing is automatic.
3. Only non-nursing support courses may be repeated once to achieve the minimum grade of "C". Repeated courses must be taken at Belmont University.
4. All students will be reviewed before progression to the clinical nursing courses in the School of Nursing. Students must meet the requirement of a 2.5 GPA based on the required courses in the Program of Study for the School of Nursing.
5. Subsequent to admission in the Belmont University School of Nursing, students must take all nursing courses at Belmont University. Less than a "C" average in any semester will result in dismissal from the School of Nursing.
6. A grade of "D", "F" or "WF" in any nursing course constitutes an automatic and immediate dismissal from the School of Nursing.
7. All requirements for an "I" in prerequisite and/or nursing courses must be completed before a student can progress to the next semester.
8. Withdrawal for any reason will necessitate reapplication and reconsideration for admission.
9. 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.
10. Any nursing major who demonstrates behavior inconsistent with the Code of Conduct in The Guide, the Belmont student handbook, or professional nursing is subject to immediate dismissal from the School of Nursing.

Graduation Requirements

In addition to meeting the general university requirements for graduation, students must take 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. It is highly recommended that students complete the Hepatitis A vaccine series.
9. Students are required to complete the Hepatitis B vaccine series.

Major in Nursing - Program of Studies

Nursing Courses (NUR)

NUR 200. Nursing Seminar I (1). An introduction to issues and trends in nursing as a profession. Health care delivery systems, entry into practice and professional organizations are discussed.

NUR 204. Health Assessment (3). Corequisite: BIO 224. Provides an introduction to the basic skills utilized in data collection and physical assessment. The focus is on interviewing skills and systematic physical examination in assessing the physiological and psychosociocultural health status of clients of various age groups. Campus laboratory provides the opportunity for application of theoretical knowledge and performance of health assessments, with healthy individuals. Two hours lecture and two hours campus laboratory a week.

NUR 210. Nutrition Throughout the Lifespan (3). Prerequisite: BIO 223. Corequisite:NUR 204, BIO 224. This course addresses nutrition as a major component of health maintenance and promotion throughout the lifespan. Content serves as a foundation for clinical application in other nursing courses.

NUR 211/311. Transition to Professional Nursing (1,3). Introduction for the Registered Nurse (399), Licensed Practical Nurse or transferring baccalaureate (299) student to the School of Nursing's philosophy, conceptual framework, and concepts developed throughout the BSN curriculum. Standardized exams are administered to validate knowledge and an individual course of study is prescribed to meet any areas of deficiency. Two class hours per week.

NUR 224. Pathophysiology (3). Prerequisites: BIO 223 and BIO 224. Corequisite: NUR 241. A study of concepts and diseases common to the general practice of nursing. Three hours lecture per week.

NUR 241. Introduction to Nursing (5). Corequisites: NUR 200, NUR 204, NUR 210 and NUR 224. An introduction to nursing concepts and theory, nursing processes and those skills which are basic to the practice of professional nursing. ($200.00 course fee)

NUR 300. Nursing Seminar II (2). Corequisite: This course is taken concurrently with NUR 321. This course will explore moral, ethical and legal issues in nursing practice. Personal and professional awareness is encouraged through values clarification and other methodologies.

NUR 314. Pharmacology (3). Prerequisite: Junior standing in Nursing or consent of the instructor. Provides a study of the nurse's role and responsibilities in clinical pharmacology. The course focuses on the major drug classifications, principles of drug actions/interactions, and nursing implications. Current trends in pharmacologic therapy will be discussed. Three hours per week.

NUR 321. Adult Health Nursing (5). Prerequisites: NUR 224 and NUR 241. Corequisite: NUR 314. Studies in theories, skills and responses of adults in health and illness. Three hours lecture and six hours laboratory/clinical per week. ($210.00 course fee)

NUR 331. Maternal-lnfant Health Nursing (5). Prerequisite: NUR 321. A study of theories, concepts and responses related to childbearing individuals and their families. Three hours lecture and six hours laboratory/clinical per week. ($210.00 course fee)

NUR 341. Mental Health Nursing (5). Prerequisite or Corequisite: PSY 321. A study of theories, concepts and responses related to mental health and illness. Three hours lecture and six hours laboratory/ clinical per week. ($210.00 course fee)

NUR 343. Spirituality in Nursing (3). The concept of spirituality/religiosity will be explored in a 3-hour didactic and seminar format. The role of the nurse as a provider of spiritual care and as distinguished from religious care will be addressed. The course incorporates the School of Nursing's belief that all individuals are viewed holistically, an approach that takes into consideration the bio-pscho-social-spiritual needs of the client. Another outcome of the course will be a greater understanding of one's own spiritual nature.

NUR 353. Nursing Informatics (3). Students will explore the use of computer technology in accessing, managing, and analyzing various types of information systems. Students will improve computer usage and will access and use various types of databases and software programs.

NUR 363. Basic Arrhythmia Interpretation (2). This elective course provides the student with the skills utilized in interpretation of basic cardiac arrhythmias. This focus is on recognition of the key features of each arrhythmia along with the physiological consequences and signs and symptoms of each. In addition, management of each arrhythmia will be reviewed.

NUR 392. International Health Care Delivery Systems (3). A travel abroad course on the health care delivery systems of selected countries. It will examine the health care delivery system, its philosophy, and technology of the country (countries) visited and compare these systems with the health care delivery system of the United States. Learning activities also include lecture, small­group discussion, and pertinent readings.

NUR 395-495. Studies Abroad (3-6). Study in a foreign country. Individual course titles and locations are assigned for each course taken. See Studies Abroad program for details.

NUR 397. Health Care of Vulnerable Populations (3). An elective course focusing on the delivery of holistic health care to vulnerable populations. Learning activities include health teaching, sociocultural experiences, spiritual dimensions, and relationship building. Small­group discussions, pertinent readings, journal of daily experiences and public presentations of the experience are course expectations.

NUR 400. Nursing Seminar III (2). Prerequisite: Senior standing in Nursing. This course will explore moral, ethical and legal issues in health care delivery. The student's transition into professional nursing practice will be addressed.

NUR 404. Research in Nursing (3). Prerequisites: Senior standing in Nursing and MTH 103 or consent of instructor. This course is a study of theoretical knowledge and skills used in the nursing process as it relates to nursing research. Three hours per week.

NUR 431. Child and Family Health Nursing (5). Prerequisite: Senior standing in Nursing. Study of theory and skills used in the nursing process related to the child and young family. Three hours lecture and six hours laboratory/clinical per week. ($230.00 course fee)

NUR 441. Principles of Acute Care Nursing (5). Prerequisite: Senior standing in Nursing. The course is a study of theoretical knowledge and skills associated with the care of the acutely ill adult. The focus will be on utilization of the nursing process in providing nursing care to clients with complex physiological and psychosocial needs. Three hours lecture and six hours laboratory/clinical per week. ($230.00 course fee)

NUR 450. Gerontology in Nursing (2). Prerequisite: Senior standing in Nursing or consent of instructor. This course is a study of the theories of the aging process and the responses of the older adult in health and illness. Two hours lecture a week.

NUR 451. Community Health Nursing (5). Prerequisites: Senior standing in Nursing or consent of instructor. This course is the study of theoretical knowledge and skills used in the nursing process related to individuals, families and the community as a client. Theoretical concepts integral to community health nursing and strategies for nursing intervention for the promotion of community health will be identified. Three hours lecture and six hours laboratory clinical per week. ($230.00 course fee)

NUR 461. Leadership and Management in Nursing (5). Prerequisites: Senior standing in Nursing or consent of instructor. This course presents leadership and management principles related to nursing practice in the health care system. Three hours lecture and six hours laboratory/clinical per week. ($230.00 course fee)

NUR 471. Senior Practicum (2). Prerequisite: Senior standing in Nursing. This course includes concentrated senior clinical experience in a selected practice area as well as synthesis exercises in the classroom and computer laboratory. This course is only offered on a Pass/Fail basis.