Health Sciences | School of Nursing | Department of Social Work

School of Nursing
Elaine Blake, Jean Blank, Martha Buckner, Sharon Dowdy, Ruby Dunlap, Beth Hallmark, Betsy Hay, Sheron Salyer, Jane Shelby, Lynne Shores, Beth Youngblood.

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 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 their 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. GPA will be calculated on courses required by the nursing curriculum.
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. 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.
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 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.
      
7. 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.

Advanced Placement

Progression Requirements

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

Major in Nursing - Program of Studies

Nursing Courses (NUR)

NUR 110. Wellness Nutrition (1). An introductory course, taught online, in wellness nutrition. Course topics will include basic foundations of nutrition for a healthy lifestyle, cancer and heart disease prevention, foodborne illness, food additives and pesticides, weight management and eating disorders. Students will learn to discern between health claims, food fads, and sound nutrition advice based on a scientific approach. The course will utilize a variety of teaching/learning strategies, including reading and online discussion, computerized diet analysis, case studies, interactive exercises, and examinations. Students will meet with the instructor every other week for one hour to give and receive feedback about their learning, but the course will be primarily web-based.

NUR 131. Healthy Beginnings: Wellness Across Pregnancy and Birth (1). An introductory course that helps students develop an understanding of the importance of behavior and lifestyle changes that prepare the woman and her family for a positive pregnancy experience. Students will complete a pregnancy risk assessment on a woman in her childbearing years and develop a preparation-for -pregnancy plan, which will identify preexisting risk factors and suggest behavior modifications to promote wellness. Wellness issues related to pregnancy, labor, and birth will be highlighted, using individual and group assignments to explore the differences in how men and women approach the pregnancy experience. This course will be primarily web-based.

NUR 132. Women's Health: Wellness Across the Lifespan (1). An introductory course in women’s wellness issues, using a seminar/internet teaching model. This course encourages students to identify and discuss relevant information that will enable them to make informed wellness and healthcare decisions throughout the lifespan. It uses alternative learning assignments to explore issues, from the female perspective, that are not traditionally discussed in liberal arts or professional courses. This course will be primarily web-based.

NUR 133. Health Promotion of the Family (1). An introductory course in the development of the family, based on Duvall, that stresses the wellness behaviors that are recognized as important during the development family stages. In addition, this course will include current issues in relation to the family and society. This course will be primarily web-based.

NUR 199. Special Studies (1-3).

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 may be administered to validate knowledge and an individual course of study is prescribed to meet any areas of deficiency.

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.

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. ($350.00 course fee)

NUR 292. Christian Service in Health Care (3). This course is designed to focus on Christian concepts and principles to global health service. The use of prayer, story telling and Scripture in a Christian based service arena will be explored in conjunction with practical knowledge and skill development in these areas: improvising in less than ideal health care environments, specific health conditions related to climate and poverty, working with and within official and unofficial agencies, and interpersonal skills essential for service within areas of conflict. The concepts of guilt, forgiveness, suffering and hope will be addressed in the group experience. An experimental component in a local, national, or international health care setting with a Christian philosophy will be facilitated.

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.

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. ($325.00 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. ($300.00 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. ($300.00 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, smallÐgroup 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. SmallÐgroup 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. ($250.00 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. ($250.00 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.

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. ($250.00 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. ($250.00 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. ($250.00 course fee.