NURSING PROGRAMS
Jeanette C. Rudy School of Nursing and Health Professions
A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO NURSING
&
WELCOME INTRODUCTION A MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR OF NURSING
Congratulations! You have chosen an excellent career path! In nursing, you will be able to make a difference in the lives of those you serve as well as your own. In this profession, you will find open doors in a variety of health care settings from the bedside to the community. Cumberland wants to launch your professional journey with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and provide opportunity for further educational and career advancement as you continue on to a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). Cumberland’s School of Nursing is proud of their graduates who are characterized by their professional excellence and their positive impact on the health of their communities. At Cumberland, you will be prepared for the challenges of today’s health care environment through the teaching of our excellent faculty, clinical partnerships with well-respected health care facilities in Middle Tennessee, and access to a state-of-the-art simulation lab. As we hear from our graduates each year, we are reminded when you graduate from Cumberland, you’re ready to be a nurse! I welcome you to look at the varied paths to a BSN and MSN offered through Cumberland’s Jeanette C. Rudy School of Nursing and Health Professions.
Dr. Beth Chatham Director of Nursing Programs Jeanette C. Rudy School of Nursing & Health Professions
MISSION The mission of the Jeanette C. Rudy Nursing Program is to prepare caring, highly competent graduates who will provide excellent evidence-based, collaborative nursing care for diverse individuals, families, and communities across the lifespan. Emphasis will be placed on knowledge, skills, attitudes, and experiences that promote clinical reasoning, clinical judgement, integrity, and life-long learning.
CUMBERLAND NURSING ACCREDITATION: All programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the Tennessee Board of Nursing (TBON). PERSONAL ATTENTION: Average nursing class size is 30, allowing meaningful connections with faculty ACADEMIC/PRACTICE PARTNERS: Excellent clinical learning in a variety of settings provided by our Academic/ Practice Partners across Middle Tennessee SUCCESS RATES: Consistently high NCLEX pass rates and 100% nursing job placement FLEXIBLE OPTIONS: Choose from three routes to a BSN tailored to your specific professional goals — Traditional BSN, LPN to BSN, or RN to BSN
CONTACT Director of Nursing Programs: Dr. Beth Chatham bchatham@cumberland.edu
NURSING PROGRAMS
For more information, visit cumberland.edu/nursing/
START WITH AN ASSOCIATE DEGREE ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE IN HEALTH SCIENCES
Through Tennessee Promise or Tennessee Reconnect, you will be able to earn an Associate of Science in Health Sciences (ASHS) before going on to complete your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). The advantage of going this route is that all of the prerequisites needed for Nursing will be covered by Tennessee Promise or Tennessee Reconnect if you qualify for those programs. For more information about the Associate of Science in Health Science program, contact Program Director and Assistant Professor of Nursing Dr. Tanya King-Paige at tking-paige@cumberland.edu
PURSUE YOUR PASSION: UNDERGRADUATE NURSING PROGRAM OPTIONS BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING ABOUT: Cumberland’s traditional BSN program is nine semesters – four semesters of pre-requisites and five semesters of upper division nursing courses.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
To be considered for admission into the Cumberland University nursing program: • Students must be admitted to Cumberland University and declare nursing as their major in order to be considered for admission into the nursing program. • Students must meet the required cumulative college grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale. • Student should achieve at least a proficient on the ATI TEAS Entrance Exam. • Students are required to have a “C” or higher in all nursing pre-requisite courses. • Students must submit the Nursing Candidacy Form (nursing application) by March 1 for fall admission and September 1 for spring admission. • Students must submit all required documentation by the application deadline, including: - Official transcripts from ALL colleges and universities attended - High school transcript if available - Nursing Candidacy Form (nursing application) Learn more about earning your BSN at Cumberland University.
GUARANTEED NURSING ADMISSIONS (GNA) PATHWAY OVERVIEW
ELIGIBILITY: • Must be an incoming first-time freshman, enrolled full-time • 25 or above ACT composite score or superscore • Cumulative high school GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale • Incoming students may apply during their senior year of high school or during their first two semesters enrolled at CU. *Prior to completing an application for Guaranteed Nursing Admissions (GNA), applicants must have first applied for general admission to the university.
CONTINUING ELIGIBILITY: After a student is granted Guaranteed Nursing Admission, the student must maintain the following to ensure their good standing:
NURSING PROGRAMS PROGRAM OVERVIEW
LPN TO BSN LPN to BSN track is a hybrid nursing track designed for the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) seeking a ABOUT: The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). This track is unique in that the LPN is admitted to the School of Nursing
on acceptance to Cumberland and will begin nursing classes along with general education credits (GEC). From semester one, the student is considered a nursing student rather than a pre-nursing student. The LPN to BSN track is 7 semesters for the full-time student, in contrast to 9 semesters for the traditional student. Courses are taught with a combination of asynchronous online course work and synchronous on-ground classes, labs, and clinicals. On-ground courses occur one day a week with clinical rotations taking place on the weekends. LPNs are awarded up to 16 validation hours for previous learning in their LPN program.
• A cumulative 3.0 GPA while in the Pre-Nursing Program • Obtain a grade of “B” or above in Chem 103, Bio 213 & 214, Math 111 or 110 (Course retakes are eligible for GNA) • Maintain a full-time status
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS: • Students must meet the required cumulative college grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale. • Students should achieve at least a proficient on the ATI TEAS Entrance Exam. • Students are required to have a “C” or higher in all nursing pre-requisite courses. STUDENTS MUST SUBMIT ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION BY THE APPLICATION DEADLINE, INCLUDING: • Current, unencumbered LPN license • Official transcripts from ALL colleges and universities attended • Nursing Candidacy Form (Nursing Application) • High School Transcript, if available • A letter of recommendation from an employer or a former nursing instructor
Learn more about Guaranteed Nursing Admissions at Cumberland University.
Learn more about Cumberland’s LPN to BSN program.
NURSING PROGRAMS PROGRAM OVERVIEW
RN TO BSN RN to BSN program is for the Associate’s Degree RN seeking their BSN from a nursing school known for ABOUT: Our excellence. The RN to BSN program is fully online and can be completed in a year. ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS: • Current, unencumbered RN license • Acceptance to Cumberland University • An associate degree from an accredited school of nursing with a minimum 2.0 GPA For more information about undergraduate nursing program options, contact Program Director and Associate Professor of Nursing Dr. Beth Chatham at bchatham@cumberland.edu.
Learn more about Cumberland’s RN to BSN program.
MINIMUM HOURS REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION
FORMAT
BSN
120 hours
In Person
LPN to BSN
120 hours
Hybrid
RN to BSN
120 hours
Online
PROGRAM
GRADUATE PROGRAMS MSN MISSION The mission of the Master of Science in Nursing program is to build upon the undergraduate Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree to educate and empower the professional nurse for leadership that is adaptable in a rapidly changing, complex healthcare environment. This will allow them to function as a change agent in healthcare, education, and organizational system through an evidence-based curriculum leading to a concentration in Nursing Education or Nurse Executive Leadership and Administration.
WHAT OUR GRADUATES SAY
“
Cumberland’s nursing program taught me the study skills to succeed in the program and in the nursing career. The professors are passionate about the program and go above and beyond to make sure we succeed. I am proud to be a Cumberland student.” Jackline Kumar, Class of 2024
“
Since graduating from Cumberland with my BSN, I wanted to attend graduate school for my MSN online but didn’t know where to go. When I heard about Cumberland starting an MSN program, I was very excited since Cumberland was my #1 choice. Not only do they offer an amazing program, but I knew that getting my continuing education from Cumberland would be a great experience. It’s been flexible, and the staff is so involved I don’t feel like it’s a distance program.” Jessica Seth, Class of 2013 and 2018
GRADUATE PROGRAMS
GRADUATE PROGRAMS
NURSE EDUCATOR online MSN Nurse Educator emphasis is designed to prepare nurses for educational roles in academia, ABOUT: The healthcare organizations, and healthcare systems. The Nurse Educator emphasis provides an in-depth
NURSE EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP AND ADMINISTRATION program focuses on theories, research, and evidence-based practices for nurse executive leadership and ABOUT: This administration. The graduate student examines the knowledge and skills nurse executives need to manage
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN NURSING
review of learning theories, research, and best practices in nursing education. The graduate student analyzes teaching strategies for diverse populations and environments and incorporates theory into practice. The program prepares the graduate student to develop program curriculum, deliver content, and perform assessments of program outcomes.
HIGHLIGHTS:
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN NURSING
healthcare quality and safety. Emphasis on management of finance and operations of healthcare organizations, leading health innovations, and strategies to respond to healthcare challenges and trends.
HIGHLIGHTS:
• Earn your MSN in 5 semesters
• Earn your MSN in 5 semesters
• Total Cost: < $27,000
• Total Cost: < $27,000
GRADUATE PROGRAMS
NURSING SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AND FINANCIAL AID SCHOLARSHIPS
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN NURSING
PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH NURSE PRACTITIONER mission of the Master of Science in Nursing program is to build upon the undergraduate Bachelor of ABOUT: The Science in Nursing degree to educate and empower the professional nurse for leadership that is adaptable
in a rapidly changing, complex healthcare environment and allows them to function as a change agent in healthcare, education, and organizational system through an evidence-based curriculum leading to a concentration in Nursing Education, Nurse Executive Leadership and Administration, and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.
HIGHLIGHTS:
At Cumberland University, there are scholarship opportunities available specifically for students in the nursing program. Cumberland has partnered with local hospitals to offer tuition assistance as well as external and internal scholarship opportunities listed here, admissions.cumberland.edu/portal/nursing-scholarships.
FINANCIAL AID
FINANCIAL AID
Financial aid is money to help you pay for education-related expenses. Aid can be loans, part-time employment, grants or scholarships. They can come from federal, state, institutional or private agencies. Learn more at cumberland.edu/financial/.
NEXT STEPS
• Earn your MSN-PMHNP in 6 semesters
Learn more about earning your MSN at Cumberland University.
• Post-Graduate PMHNP option • Total Cost: < $31,000 For more information about graduate nursing programs, contact Program Director, Dr. Carolyn Goodin at cgoodin@cumberland.edu.
PROGRAM
SCHOLARSHIPS
MINIMUM HOURS REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION
YOUR FUTURE IN NURSING BEGINS HERE.
S C H E D U L E A V I S IT
FORMAT
• SCHEDULE A CAMPUS VISIT AT cumberland.edu/admissions/visit/: experience our labs, meet faculty, and talk with current students.
• APPLY ONLINE AT cumberland.edu/apply-now/
Master of Science in Nursing: Nurse Educator
38 hours
Master of Science in Nursing: Nurse Executive Leadership and Administration
38 hours
Online
Master of Science in Nursing: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
43 hours
Online
A P P LY N OW
Online
• CONNECT WITH US: admissions@cumberland.edu | 615-547-1246 SO YOU WANT TO BE A NURSE? At Cumberland University, we believe we have an obligation to inspire a passion for life-long learning to ensure competency in nursing science, clinical judgement, and evidence-based practice. Our graduates leave with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to provide exceptional care and to lead positive change in healthcare. We invite you to join this tradition of excellence and make a lasting difference in the lives of others.
APPLY TODAY
CONTACT US. WE’RE HERE TO HELP. If you have any questions or need any help through your next steps, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help guide you through this process and discuss your future at Cumberland University. The Admissions Office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. CST. Please contact the Admissions Office at 615-547-1246 to speak with an Enrollment Specialist or email us at admissions@cumberland.edu.
Cumberland University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, and masters degrees. Cumberland University also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Cumberland University may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).