Nursing

Mary Hesselrode, Interim Associate Dean of Nursing
Tamara Baird, Instructor
Freda Fuller, Assistant Professor
Roletha Pillow, Assistant Professor

Jenna Sissom, Nursing Instructor
Jill Stafford, Assistant Professor
Katie Watson, Nursing Instructor
Jennifer Weber, Nursing Instructor
Kathy Williams, Nursing Instructor

Lipscomb University offers a Bachelor of Science in nursing (B.S.N.) degree. The nursing program at Lipscomb University is comprised of four semesters of prerequisite courses that are foundational to the upper-division nursing courses taught the following four semesters. After the student completes the four semesters of prerequisite courses, he/she must then formally apply to the nursing program and complete four semesters of classroom, lab and clinical education specific to nursing. Upon successful completion of the prerequisite and upper-division course work, the student will be awarded a B.S.N. degree from Lipscomb University. Students who complete this program of study will have experienced multiple clinical placements prior to graduation. This degree provides students with training in nursing education strongly complemented by extensive study in the humanities and social sciences. Thus, students are well-prepared to function as a nurse and also have the necessary foundation to pursue master’s and doctoral studies in nursing.

The Bachelor of Science in nursing (B.S.N.) degree offered at Lipscomb University is fully accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and the TBON (Tennessee Board of Nursing).

B.S.N. Program Outcomes

Performance on Licensure Exam:

Graduates will pass the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX) at/or above the national mean as first-time takers.

Program Completion:

85 percent of students admitted to the School of Nursing at the beginning of the junior year will complete the program within 3 years of admission.

Program Satisfaction:

85 percent of graduates completing the exit interview upon graduation and responding to the alumni satisfaction survey at 6 to 12 months post graduation will agree or strongly agree that they were satisfied overall with the nursing program.

Employer Satisfaction:

85 percent of employers surveyed by quantitative and qualitative measures will agree or strongly agree that they are satisfied overall with the performance of Lipscomb School of Nursing graduates. Tools used may include employer satisfaction surveys, focus groups, and the Advisory Council.

Job Placement Rates:

90 percent of graduates will report having a nursing position within 12 months of graduation.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of the nursing program, the baccalaureate generalist nurse graduating from Lipscomb University School of Nursing will be able to:

1. Synthesize knowledge from nursing, the humanities, and the biophysical and social sciences into the practice of professional nursing.

2. Provide patient-centered health care to culturally diverse populations in a variety of environments, both independently and in collaboration with other health care team members.

3. Demonstrate skills in critical thinking, decision-making, information management and the nursing process with individuals, families and groups experiencing complex health problems.

4. Educate and counsel individuals, families, communities and other groups using teaching/ learning principles that promote, maintain and restore health.

5. Evaluate and apply evidence-based findings to professional nursing practice.

6. Utilize leadership skills in addressing professional nursing and health care issues.

7. Demonstrate accountability for decisions about nursing practice that provide safe and high quality care.

8. Demonstrate awareness of the historical and current aspects of economic, political, legal and ethical issues related to health care in society.

9. Communicate and collaborate with members of the health care team and consumers to provide and improve the delivery of health care

Role Specific Graduate Competencies:

Upon completion of the nursing program at Lipscomb University, the graduate will be expected to function as a:

• Provider of Patient-Centered Care
• Leader/Manager
• Member of the Profession
• Patient Safety Advocate
• Educator

The competencies for these roles are threaded throughout the nursing curriculum. Progressing from awareness to knowledge to proficiency, they are guided by the educational framework, course objectives, Student Learning Outcomes, and Program Outcomes. Each competency will not necessarily be addressed in each course. These competencies will be utilized in the evaluation components for nursing courses.

Provider of Patient-Centered Care:

The graduate from Lipscomb University School of Nursing will be prepared to assume accountability for the delivery of safe, high quality, patient-centered care based on evidence for diverse individuals, families, groups, communities and populations in a variety of settings. Through the use of the nursing process, the baccalaureate generalist will use their skills to prevent illness and injury and to promote, restore and maintain health across the lifespan.

Leader/Manager:

The graduate from Lipscomb University School of Nursing will be prepared to coordinate and manage care through the use of technology, resources and information systems. The graduate will use their leadership skills to delegate tasks to other health care personnel and supervise and evaluate their performance.

Member of the Profession:

The graduate of Lipscomb University School of Nursing will assume responsibility and accountability for their practice as a professional nurse and will engage in continuous professional development and lifelong learning.

Patient Safety Advocate:

The graduate of Lipscomb University School of Nursing will demonstrate knowledge of professional, governmental and accreditation standards pertaining to safe practice. They will apply technology and information management tools to support safe processes of care and evaluate the impact on patient outcomes.

Educator:

The graduate of Lipscomb University School of Nursing will demonstrate the ability to assess learning and effectively teach patients about wellness, prevention and acute and chronic illness management.

These competencies will be measured by the following:

• Evaluation tool from senior preceptorship (at time of graduation)
• Employer satisfaction survey and focus group data  (6-12 months post graduation)
• Alumni satisfaction survey (6-12 months post graduation)

Essential Competencies for Nursing Practice

Practice as a registered nurse requires many competencies, such as the functional abilities listed below:

• Ability to see, hear, touch, smell and distinguish colors.
• Ability to speak and write with accuracy, clarity and efficiency.
• Manual dexterity, gross and fine movements.
• Ability to learn, think critically, analyze, assess, solve problems and reach judgment.
• Emotional stability and ability to accept responsibility and accountability.

All students enrolled in the BSN program must satisfactorily demonstrate these competencies in the didactic, laboratory, seminar and clinical courses throughout their program of studies.

Admission Requirements

Students who are interested in nursing at Lipscomb University must meet the criteria for admission to Lipscomb University. Upon admission to the university, students may declare the pre-nursing major and begin the course work that is foundational to the upper division nursing program. Students must complete the prescribed 66 credit hours of liberal arts courses.

The Bible requirement for students in this program will be fulfilled in the same manner as with all other Lipscomb students, which require 18 hours for graduation. Chapel requirements will be the same as for all other students enrolled at Lipscomb University with the exception of the semesters in which they are enrolled in upper division nursing courses. During these semesters a modified requirement will be in place.

Students will be admitted to the upper division major after completing four semesters of liberal arts courses at Lipscomb University conditional upon successful completion of the remaining courses.

Admission to the Lipscomb School of Nursing is based on the following factors:

1. Applicants must have at least a cumulative 3.0 grade point average in all pre-nursing courses. Preference will be given to applicants with a GPA of 3.0 and above.
2. Complete and submit an application online to the School of Nursing including letters of recommendation and goal statement by established guidelines.
3. An interview with the Admission Committee is required.
4. Standardized admission Entrance Exam must be completed and scores submitted to the School of Nursing in order to be considered for admission.
5. Upon official acceptance into the nursing program the student must provide documentation of immunization requirements to begin clinical placements and the beginning of each subsequent year. See the Nursing Handbook for a list of requirements.
6. A clear criminal background check and negative drug screen are also required by all clinical agencies. See the nursing handbook for additional requirements.
7. Students must meet eligibility requirements for licensure in Tennessee. Graduation requirements for a B.S.N. include the completion of all required courses for the nursing major for a total of 128 semester hours. The student nurse must maintain a 76 test average in all nursing courses, as well as a 76 course average, in order to progress in the program.
8. Student nurses must earn a minimum grade of “C” in all required pre-nursing courses.
9. Student nurses must also earn a “B” average in the pre-nursing science courses.

Professional Opportunities

After completing the prescribed curriculum, the pre-licensure student is eligible to apply to the State Board of Nursing to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for the privilege of becoming a registered nurse.

Transfer Student Credit

Lipscomb University School of Nursing offers a competitive program for prospective student nurses and only accepts transfer science courses with a minumum passing grade of a “C” or higher in accordance with admitting students into the University. 

Please note: The “B” average requirement in the pre-nursing science courses also applies to transfer science courses as students continue the application process for the Lipscomb University School of Nursing.

Lipscomb University is a participant in the Tennessee Transfer Pathway. For more information, see the catalog section entitled “Tennessee Transfer Pathway.”

Lipscomb University School of Nursing may have articulation agreements not covered by the Pathways. Students are encouraged to check the websites or catalogs of his/her individual community colleges to determine additional transfer agreements available.

Students who transfer to Lipscomb University will be required to meet graduation Bible course requirements, chapel requirements, as well as SALT requirements. These will be determined based on past course work and whether the student has a previous degree.

Program of Study Requirements

• Nursing Major