Department of Nursing
ADMINISTRATORS
VIRGINIA RUTH COREY, Director and Chair, Department of Nursing
FACULTY
PENNY BACON, Professor of Nursing, 2023—
BSN, Oregon Institute of Technology; MSN, Samuel Merritt University; DNP, Western University of Health Sciences; APRN; FNP.
NATALIE HALL, Professor of Nursing, 2023—
BS, Baylor University; MSN, Vanderbilt University; DNP, University of Tennessee; FNP-C; ANVP-BC.
BROOKE A. RUPERT, Assistant Professor of Nursing, 2024—
BSN, Olivet Nazarene University; MSN-PNP University of South Florida.
CYNTHIA R. SWANSON, Assistant Professor of Nursing, 2024—
BSN, Indiana Wesleyan University; MSN, Western Govenors University.
Christy Twining, Assistant Professor of Nursing, 2024—
BS, Trevecca Nazarene University, BSN, Georgia College & State University.
Nursing Program - BSN
Department of Nursing General Information
The Trevecca Nazarene University Department of Nursing allows a student the ability to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree in 4 years or 8 semesters (last 4 semesters not to exceed 150% of the total for Upper Division course hours).
This program is known as a 2+2 program of study. It is defined as 2 years (4 semesters) or the equivalent of 69 credit hours of General Education and Nursing Prerequisite courses and 2 years (4 semesters) or the equivalent of 60 credit hours of Upper Division nursing courses for a program total of 129 credit hours.
If all admission requirements are met, once all required General Education and required Nursing Prerequisites are completed, students may move into Upper Division nursing courses with the goal of progression to graduation and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from Trevecca Nazarene University.
Mission Statement
The purpose of the Trevecca Nazarene University Department of Nursing is to provide a Christian environment to prepare students academically and spiritually by providing Christ-focused education, training, critical thinking skills, clinical observation, and experiential opportunities necessary to fulfill one’s calling as a registered nurse, healthcare professional, and servant leader in Christ.
Goal
The goal of the Trevecca Nazarene University Department of Nursing is: To prepare graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program to pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) and become credentialed registered nurses.
Trevecca Nazarene University BSN Overall Program Objectives
- The total number of graduating students who take and pass the NCLEX on their first attempt will be 85% or greater each year.
- Program completion rates will be greater than 70% of students progressing to graduation.
- Employment rates will be greater than 90% within the first year for students passing the NCLEX.
End of Student Learning Outcomes
The nursing student who graduates from Trevecca University with a BSN degree will demonstrate the completion of the following objectives and competencies as outcomes of the program:
- Exhibits cultural, ethical, and sensitivity awareness when giving nursing care to individuals, families, and groups within the diverse cultures of the populations served.
- Implements disease prevention activities for individuals, groups, and populations.
- Provides health promotion activities that reduce risks at all levels of care giving.
- Delivers quality in healthcare through the support of interdisciplinary health care teams.
- Demonstrates professional behavior in all areas of nursing as a patient care provider, a coordinator of healthcare, and an advocate of continuous learning.
- Provides education to patients and families to facilitate wellness and the prevention of injury, illness, and disease.
- Gives quality health care based on current nursing science from the research literature, utilizing evidence-based practices that are identified as clinically competent.
- Demonstrates personal behavior that is professional at all times within the scope of nursing practices and the standards found in quality of care.
- Provides high-quality healthcare that is delivered through the use of applicable information and health care technology.
- Demonstrates leadership and management roles within the scope of sound nursing practice.
- Utilizes critical thinking skills to problem solve and make sound decisions.
Admission to the Nursing Program
General Admission to the Trevecca Nazarene University 2+2 BSN Nursing Program
- Admission to Trevecca Nazarene University (TNU) does not constitute admission to the TNU Department of Nursing.
- Students admitted to TNU will be identified as nursing majors prior to their full admission into the TNU Department of Nursing.
- Before matriculating into TNU Department of Nursing Upper Division nursing courses, the student must complete all required General Education and Nursing Prerequisites.
- All students must complete their last four (4) semesters (or equivalent) as a full-time nursing student at Trevecca Nazarene University.
- Students accepted into the nursing program must have a valid social security number by their sophomore year.
- All students must meet Trevecca Nazarene University academic requirements for admission criteria.
- CLEP tests scores for nursing students will not be accepted, and only AP scores of 4 or 5 will transfer.
Acceptance of Student Applications to Upper Division Nursing Courses
- High School Diploma or GED or equivalent.
- Score of ACT 22 or 1100 SAT Reading/Math.
- Grade for each General Education course within the specified Nursing Major Program of Study shall be a C or greater with a B average overall.
- Grade for each Nursing Prerequisite course within the specified Nursing Major Program of Study shall be a C+ or greater with a B average overall.
- Completion of all General Education and Nursing Prerequisite courses within the specified Nursing Major Program of Study.
- Application to be submitted in spring semester for students in their sophomore (or equivalent) year.
- Complete a scheduled interview with members of the Applications and Admission Committee, or their designated faculty member.
- Negative background check.
- Negative drug screening.
- Up-to-date immunization records as per TNU Department of Nursing requirements.
- Completion of American Heart Association Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Program (CPR with AED) for Healthcare Professionals: Current Card Date.
- Clearance by University Financial Office.
- Health insurance per University guidelines.
- Malpractice insurance per University guidelines.
TNU Department of Nursing Academic Progression Policy for Pre-Nursing Courses (General Education and Nursing Prerequisites) or first two years in the 2+2 Program
- Required General Education Courses
- Students must have achieved a grade of “C” or greater in each General Education course.
- Student must achieve an overall GPA of 3.0 in General Education courses.
- Students must complete all General Education courses before progressing into the Upper Division Nursing Program.
- Student may petition for exception to this policy.
- Student must have written permission from the following TNU faculty to take a general education course while in the Upper Division Nursing courses.
- Associate Vice President for Traditional Undergraduate Education
- Director of Nursing
- Nursing Faculty Committee: Applications and Admissions
- Required Nursing Prerequisite Courses
- All requirements for an "I" in Nursing Prerequisite “biological science” courses must be completed before a student can progress to the next biological science course. Progression in biological sciences means:
1. BIO 1510 General Biology I
2. BIO 2010 Anatomy-Physiology I
3. BIO 2020 Anatomy-Physiology II
4. BIO 2820 Microbiology
- Students must achieve a grade of “C+” or above in each Nursing Prerequisite course listed below to include BIO 1510 General Biology I, BIO 2010 Anatomy-Physiology I, BIO 2020 Anatomy-Physiology II, BIO 2820 Microbiology, CHE 1015 Introduction to Chemistry for Nursing, PSY 2175 Human Growth and Development, PSY 2010 General Psychology, and BIO 2700 Nutrition in order to enter and/or progress into the TNU Department of Nursing Upper Division courses.
- If a student earns less than a grade of “C+” in BIO 1510 General Biology I, BIO 2010 Anatomy-Physiology I, BIO 2020 Anatomy-Physiology II, BIO 2820 Microbiology, CHE 1015 Introduction to Chemistry for Nursing, PSY 2175 Human Growth and Development, PSY 2010 General Psychology, or BIO 2700 Nutrition, the student must successfully repeat the course prior to progressing into TNU Department of Nursing Upper Division courses.
- Student must achieve an overall GPA of 3.0 in Nursing Prerequisite courses.
- Students must complete all Nursing Prerequisite courses before progressing into the Upper Division Nursing Program.
TNU Department of Nursing Academic Progression Policy for Upper Division Nursing Courses
- All requirements for an "I" in Upper Division nursing courses must be completed before a student can progress to the next semester.
- A student must earn a grade of “C” or better to receive a passing grade for each Upper Division nursing course.
- A student who fails one nursing course with a grade of C- or less, may repeat the failed course upon the next offering of the course within the student’s program of study. A student may not enroll in additional nursing courses while repeating the failed course.
- A student who fails either one nursing course twice or two nursing courses with a grade of C- or less, will be dismissed from the TNU Department of Nursing.
- Withdrawal for any reason will necessitate reapplication and reconsideration for admission.
- A student wishing to alter a course of study must submit a written request to the Admission and Progression Committee in the TNU Department of Nursing. The alteration must be reviewed and approved by the Admission and Progression Committee before the change can occur.
- Any student who is a nursing major who demonstrates behavior inconsistent with the Code of Conduct in the Trevecca Nazarene University Handbook or the Trevecca Student Nursing Handbook, is subject to immediate dismissal from the TNU Department of Nursing.
- Students who are dismissed from the TNU Department of Nursing Upper Division courses are allowed to reapply one time and must initiate the reapplication process by notifying the Department of Nursing Admission and Progression 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 Department of Nursing Admission and Progression Committee 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 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 Department of Nursing Admission and Progressions Committee who consist of:
- Members of the Department of Nursing Admission and Progression committee
- A non-nursing faculty member
- 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 Department of Nursing Admission and Progression Committee will 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
Graduation Requirements
Graduation requirements for the student in Trevecca Nazarene University's BSN program will be completion of 69 hours of General Education and Nursing Prerequisite courses and 60 hours of Upper Division Nursing courses for a total of 129 semester hours.
Note: Persons who have been convicted of a crime, other than a minor traffic violation, can be ineligible for registered nurse licensure in the state of Tennessee even though they successfully complete the program.
Important: Current Trevecca/Belmont pre-nursing students 2022-2023 will be allowed to “grandfather in” all nursing prerequisite courses with a grade of “C” or greater due to transition period from the Trevecca Belmont Partnership to the new Trevecca BSN Program. The grandfathering in process will also include HPE 1500 Introduction to Health and Wellness that was not a part of the Trevecca/Belmont Partnership requirements. However, as of the beginning of Fall 2023, all students entering as new nursing majors must obtain a C+ or greater in all nursing prerequisite courses and take the HPE 1500 Introduction to Health and Wellness course as per program guidelines.