Department of Nursing

Dr. Mary E. Radford, Chair
136 Gooch Hall
731-881-7131
fax 731-881-7939

Faculty

Kellie Ashburn, Diane L. Austin, Nicole Blackburn, Christy A. Blount, Cassie Burks, Gloria A. Browning, Carmen Bryant, Julie P. Floyd, Beth R. Hopper, Dawn Lattus, Stephanie A. Morton, Alissa R. Parrish, Mary E. Radford, Anita Rogers, Esther C. Sellars, Susan Winters.

Mission

The faculty of the Department of Nursing accepts the philosophy of The University of Tennessee at Martin supporting the goal to educate and engage responsible citizens to lead and serve in a diverse world. The Department of Nursing’s mission is to prepare caring, compassionate, professional nurse generalists committed to advancing the profession of nursing through leadership and service in diverse healthcare communities and the world.

End of Program Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, the graduate is expected to:

Demonstrate synthesis of theoretical and empirical knowledge in developing and implement nursing practice reflecting understanding of the arts sciences, humanities and the discipline of nursing.
Provide safe patient-centered care utilizing clinical judgment and best current evidence.
Apply principles of professionalism and leadership to provide patient care across the lifespan in a variety of healthcare settings.
Collaborate with patients, families and nursing/interprofessional teams to enhance positive patient outcomes through quality improvement processes.
Integrate health promotion practices into the care of diverse individuals, families and populations in a global society.
Utilize appropriate use of informatics and technology to provide safe patient-centered care for diverse individuals, families, and populations across the lifespan.

Designation of a Minor

Nursing does not offer or require a minor; however, a nursing student may declare a minor in a non-nursing subject area and have the minor listed on the permanent record under the following conditions:

minors must be officially approved and described in the university catalog.
all requirements for the minor as set forth by the granting department must be met.
courses taken to satisfy the minor may also be used to satisfy nursing requirements even if no minor were declared.
the student is responsible to notify academic records and complete any required paperwork necessary to declare a minor.

Admission, Advanced Standing, Retention, and Readmission

The admission, advanced standing, retention and readmission policies of the Department of Nursing may differ from other programs in the university because limited enrollment is necessary to provide student clinical experiences while assuring safe patient care and adherence to standards required for state licensure of registered professional nurses.

Admission Requirements:

Be admitted to the University of Tennessee at Martin as a degree-seeking undergraduate student.
Minimum cumulative college GPA of 2.75
Students must have a composite ACT score of 21 or a reading sub score of 20 or higher as minimum program requirements. Note: If the ACT score is self-reported, student must go to the ACT website, create an account, download the official score, and attach as a pdf to application for clinical nursing program.
Minimum GPA (2.75) and ACT (21 composite or 20 Reading) requirements apply to all students declaring the BSN major including initial (freshmen), readmission and transfer students. Minimum GPA and ACT requirements do not apply to RN-BSN applicants.
Prerequisite Courses: Math 140 or Math 100/110, Psychology 101, Microbiology 251, Zoology 251, Zoology 352 or the equivalent of these courses
A minimum grade of “C” is required in all prerequisite courses.
One (1) science prerequisite course may be repeated only once; if repeated, the second earned letter grade of the repeated course will be used in the GPA calculation (regardless if grade is higher or lower).
Science Courses that are seven (7) years or older will not be transferrable. This does not apply to RN-BSN applicants.
Students who are transferring from another nursing program must submit a letter of good standing from the Dean/Director of the previous nursing program.
Transfer applicants with less than a grade of “C” in two (2) Nursing courses will not be eligible. This includes repeated Nursing courses in which a grade above “C” was earned.
The ATI TEAS is the required pre-admission test for entrance into the nursing program. Total scores for the TEAS are reported as levels, and a total score at the PROFICIENCY LEVEL of achievement is the minimum acceptable level for candidates applying to the nursing program. The TEAS can only be taken a maximum of two (2) times for one application cycle. Applicants will be ranked based upon the highest total percentile score in case of identical scores. This test is not required for applicants entering the RN-BSN option.
Candidates may be required to complete an interview process.
If indicated, TOEFL scores-Required for non-native English speakers seeking admission to BSN Program or RN-BSN Program at the University of Tennessee at Martin. Applicants must achieve a TOEFL score of at least 80 on the Internet-based test if their native language is not English. A minimum speaking score of 26 is also required. Official scores are required prior to admission and completed within two years of admission to the nursing program. Without acceptable scores, there is not English language conditional admit available.
Applications must be received in the Department of Nursing by February 15 before the fall semester seeking admission.
Applicants not meeting one of the admission criteria (with the exception of TOEFL scores) may be considered on an individual basis if space in the cohort allows.

Students accepted to begin B.S.N. nursing courses are required to:

have met all UT Martin admission requirements.
be certified in Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers (BLS) before beginning NURS 213 clinical experiences.
maintain a grade of C or above in all required courses (otherwise the student will not be allowed to begin the B.S.N. program) and a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or above.
demonstrate evidence of physical and mental health by submitting the appropriate health form to the Department of Nursing on or before the first day of nursing class. Failure to do so cancels eligibility and acceptance to the B.S.N. program. The student is legally and ethically accountable and responsible to provide safe nursing care. Therefore a student may be required to be evaluated by a qualified individual before client contact is permitted if the faculty believes that the student is physically or psychologically impaired for clinical experience.
maintain negative reports on drug screen and felony background checks.
provide documentation of current screenings and immunizations as required by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and clinical site guidelines in addition to those required by UT Martin.
provide documentation of current personal health insurance by the first day of semester in which student is enrolled in clinical nursing courses. For students who need personal health insurance, student group health insurance is available through the university. Contact Student Health Services at (731) 881-7750.

Advanced Standing Admission

Students requesting to receive nursing credit for previous nursing education must:

submit an application for Advanced Standing to the Admissions and Policies Committee of the Department of Nursing by February 15 for admission to fall semester clinical nursing courses and by August 1 for admission to Spring semester clinical nursing courses.
be eligible for admission to the university.
meet all admission requirements to the nursing program.
submit documents that verify reasons for leaving the previous nursing program.
submit a letter of good standing from the director of previous nursing program.
successfully pass any written exams and skills evaluations required by the Department of Nursing to demonstrate nursing competencies comparable to the placement level requested.
if licensed practical/vocational nurse, successfully pass NURS 213 - Foundations in Nursing and NURS 250 - Adult Health I by challenge examinations (will include skills evaluation). NURS 222 - Professional Nursing I , NURS 225 - Pharmacology and NURS 242 - Health Assessment will still be required.

Retention

To continue in the nursing curriculum, each student must maintain a college grade point average of 2.0 or above and a C or above in all nursing courses.
Progression in clinical nursing with grades less than C in non-nursing (general education) courses is permitted provided prerequisite and corequisite requirements are met. Students must remove D and F grades in all required courses in the curriculum before graduation.
1. A prerequisite is a course that must be completed with a C or above prior to taking the desired course
2. A corequisite is a course that must be taken at the same time as the desired course or completed previously with a grade C or above. Withdrawal from one corequisite will also require withdrawal from the other corequisite course(s).
Students must maintain a satisfactory grade in the nursing lab portion of each clinical nursing course and must have a C or above in the theory portion of each required nursing course in order to obtain a final grade of at least a C in the course. The theory portion in clin ical courses includes passage of a medication calculation examination.
If unsatisfactory clinical performance is characterized by dangerous, inappropriate, or irresponsible behavior which actually or potentially places the welfare of the client or family in jeopardy, the student will be removed from clinical client care and will receive a failing grade for that course.
American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers (BLS) certification must be kept current while enrolled in nursing courses.
Students enrolled in clinical nursing courses are required to maintain student liability insurance through the university.
Students must take a Dosage Calculation Exam each semester and receive a passing score (80% or above) in order to remain in the program. Two opportunities will be given during the first week of classes to obtain a passing score. If unsuccessful with an 80% on the second attempt, the student will be dismissed from the nursing program with the option to re-apply.
Students enrolled in clinical courses are subject to random drug screens and background checks by the Department of Nursing or clinical agency.
Students enrolled in clinical courses must keep health screens and immunizations current as required by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and clinical agency guidelines.
Personal health insurance coverage must be maintained while enrolled in clinical nursing courses.

Readmission

1.   Be admitted to the University of Tennessee at Martin as a degree-seeking undergraduate student.
2.   Minimum cumulative college GPA of 2.75
3.   A minimum grade of “C” is required in all prerequisite courses.
4.   Science Courses that are seven (7) years or older will not be transferrable. This does not apply to RN-BSN applicants.
5.   Recommendation Letter from a nursing faculty member
6.   Withdrawals from the nursing program will count as one (1) D in regards to consideration for readmission.
7.   Readmission to the BSN program at University of Tennessee at Martin is not guaranteed.
8.   Previous clinical and class performance will be considered.
9.   Candidates may be required to complete an interview process.

Note: Ineligibility for the nursing curriculum does not affect the student’s eligibility for acceptance into another curriculum offered by the university.

Graduation Requirements

To receive a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree (B.S.N.) all students must:

satisfy the university’s general education requirements for a bachelor’s degree;
attain a grade of C or above in each of the B.S.N. curriculum requirements;
attain the expected level of achievement on a nationally normed standardized nursing exam, or complete remediation if score is less than the expected level of achievement and;
complete the B.S.N. degree program.

Extra Costs

The following costs are approximate and subject to change:

Uniform - $100
Shoes, watch with a sweep second hand, stethoscopes, penlight, scissors and other clinical items - approximately $200.00 (total cost will vary depending on selection).
Liability insurance - $25.00 per year.
Kaplan Integrated Testing Program fees - $100 per semester for Level I and II: $100 fall semester and $160 spring semester Level III.
Supply pack - $50.00 per year.
Background check/drug screen per year - $125.00 per year.
Lab fee - $100-150 per semester, based on program level.

This list does not include student costs incurred for travel to/from clinical, personal health insurance coverage, and physical exam, immunizations, screenings and titers required for admission and retention.

Facilities

Nursing classes are held on campus or at off-campus sites. Practical lab experiences are held in the departmental labs with patient care and skill stations containing health-care simulators, equipment and supplies for student instruction and practice.

Off-campus clinical lab experiences are taught by UT Martin nursing faculty in area health-care agencies. Transportation to various agencies for clinical experiences must be provided by the student.

Departmental Scholarships

Scholarships are available through various health-care agencies and organizations in addition to the scholarships and loans available through Financial Aid. Contact the Department of Nursing for additional information on scholarships for nursing majors or check Aviator.

Student Organizations

Nurses Christian Fellowship. Nurses Christian Fellowship (NCF) is an organization that embraces nursing students regardless of denomination, race, culture, or gender. The NCF is open to all regularly enrolled nursing students who are interested in learning more about God. In response to God’s love, grace and truth: the purpose of Nurses Christian Fellowship, as a ministry of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA, is to establish and advance in nursing within education and practice, witnessing communities of nursing students and nurses who follow Jesus as Savior and Lord; growing in love for God, God’s Word, God’s people of every ethnicity and culture and God’s purposes in the world.

Student Nurses Association. The Student Nurses Association at UT Martin is the student branch of the American Nurses Association and is composed of students majoring in nursing who are interested in various nursing careers and experiences.

Sigma Theta Tau. Pi Tau is the local chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International. Senior nursing students who meet the criteria are invited to be members of the organization in their last year of the B.S.N. program. Later graduate nurses who are recognized as community leaders may be eligible to join. The Sigma Theta Tau is involved in the advancement of nursing practice and of nursing as a profession.