The primary function of The Loewenberg School of Nursing is to offer a program of study designed to prepare students for careers in professional nursing. As a part of a comprehensive university, the school is dedicated to developing scholarship in nursing and providing services that support the institutional mission. The program is designed to accommodate the needs of high school graduates, transfer students, college graduates, licensed practical nurses, and registered nurses who are graduates of diploma or associate degree nursing programs. The school is committed to: (1) providing a curriculum leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Nursing basic to beginning professional practice and graduate study in nursing; (2) promoting the intellectual, personal and professional development of students by offering a curriculum that combines a strong liberal education with the professional major; (3) providing a plan of study with flexible options that are responsive to the individual learner's needs; (4) encouraging the use of opportunities available in a comprehensive university setting to foster values, attitudes and personal qualities essential to living a fulfilling life and contributing to a diverse society, (5) producing politically and socially conscious graduates who are competent practitioners in a variety of settings; and (6) preparing graduates who assume leadership roles to effect change for a healthy society.

The faculty of the Loewenberg School of Nursing are clinician scholars who are dedicated to creating a community where each person is valued, supported, mentored, and recognized for contributions to past, present, and future health care and nursing education. We value our cultural and disciplinary diversity because the bridges of understanding we build to each other provide the foundation for excellence in clinical practice and in scholarly inquiry. We create a community of scholarliness, collegiality, and caring because it is the greatest legacy we give to those who seek to learn with and from us. Because our students are the future of health care for our global community, we freely share with them our passion for creativity, learning, excellence, empathic understanding, and caring for others. Our quest for excellence in nursing education will know no boundaries as we continually seek innovative approaches through the creative and scholarly work of our faculty and students. As a school within an urban university, our educational programs are inextricably linked in a responsive way to the community we serve. Our efforts are dedicated to our students, who are our greatest resource, and our hope for a future of health for all.

Baccalaureate graduates of the Loewenberg School of Nursing:

1. Use nursing knowledge, theory, and research to provide culturally sensitive, cost effective nursing care to individuals, families, and communities.

2. Use the nursing process to promote adaptive health behaviors in individuals, families, and communities.

3. Use critical thinking skills derived from a synthesis of theoretical, empirical, and intuitive knowledge from other scientific disciplines and the humanities to formulate nursing judgment.

4. Collaborate with other health care providers and consumers to provide access to health care and promote the health and well-being of diverse people.

5. Incorporate professional values with ethical, moral, spiritual, and legal aspects of nursing practice.

6. Incorporate leadership and management skills with knowledge of political systems to enhance the quality of nursing and health practices.

7. Communicate effectively to implement the diverse roles of nursing with individuals, families, groups, communities and society.

8. Evaluate research and incorporate selected components and findings appropriately into nursing practice.

9. Assume responsibility and accountability for the continuing effectiveness of one's own nursing practice and professional development.

10. Participate in the implementation of nursing roles designed to meet the emerging health needs of the general public in a changing society.

The Loewenberg School of Nursing is organized as one unit under the leadership of a dean. The curriculum leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Nursing includes general education and support courses offered through other units of the university as well as the major requirements offered by the school. A comprehensive approach to health care is emphasized through utilization of a wide variety of health care settings available in Memphis and the surrounding community.

The faculty of the Loewenberg School of Nursing represents all clinical areas of nursing practice and a variety of experiences and interests. They reflect this diversity in their teaching, practice and research and are qualified by practical experience as well as by academic credentials, to function as facilitators of learning.

The Loewenberg School of Nursing holds membership in the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, Southern Council for Collegiate Education in Nursing, and the National League for Nursing Council for Baccalaureate and Higher Degree Programs. The program is accredited by the National League for Nursing and approved by the Tennessee Board of Nursing.

Core performance standards for admission and progression:

1. Critical thinking ability sufficient for clinical judgement.

2. Interpersonal abilities sufficient to interact with individuals, families, and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds.

3. Communication abilities sufficient for interaction with others in verbal and written form.

4. Physical abilities sufficient to move from room to room and maneuver in small spaces.

5. Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to provide safe and effective nursing care.

6. Auditory ability sufficient to monitor and assess health needs.

7. Visual ability sufficient for observation and assessment necessary in nursing care.

8. Tactile ability sufficient for physical assessment.

ADMISSION-BASIC STUDENTS

All basic students who wish to earn the Bachelor of Science in Nursing must be admitted to the Loewenberg School of Nursing. To be admitted to the school, a student must:

1. Be admitted to The University of Memphis as a degree-seeking undergraduate student.

2. Have a minimum college cumulative grade point average of 2.0, a cumulative of 2.4 in prerequisite sciences, and *a grade of C or better in ENGL 1101 and 1102 and all prerequisite sciences.

3. Have completed specified pre-nursing courses: *ENGL 1101, 1102 (6); *BIOL 1751/1752, 1761/1762 (8); *BIOL 1451/1452 (4); *CHEM 1101, 1102 (8); SOCI 1111 or PSYC 1101; CSED 2202 Nutrition; EDPR 2111 Development Across the Lifespan; Mathematics (3) selected from approved courses in the School of Nursing's General Education Section below.

4. Have a minimum score of 600 on the TOEFL (for students for whom English is a second language).

5. Have cleared all high school deficiencies.

6. Students who are transferring from another nursing program must submit a letter of good standing from the dean/director of the previous nursing program.

7. Complete and submit School of Nursing application for admission with The University of Memphis transcript and copy of The University of Memphis transfer credit evaluation (if applicable) to:

Loewenberg School of Nursing
The University of Memphis
Newport Hall, Room 101
Memphis, TN 38152

If there are more applicants than places available, acceptance will be based on the student's QPA and criteria specified in the written policies of the program.

CRITERIA:

1. Students must have complete files by the deadline (February 15 for Fall; October 1 for Spring) to be considered.

2. Acceptance into the school will be based on rank-- order cumulative QPA.

3. If individuals have the same QPA, the order will be determined by the amount of prerequisite and support course work completed.

4. A new list will be created each semester. Students who are not accepted must reapply for consideration the next semester.

5. An alternate list will be established each semester to fill vacancies that might occur before the beginning of class. The criteria for the alternate list will be the same as for the acceptance list.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT ADMISSION-RN STUDENTS

To be admitted with advanced placement, the Registered Nurse must:

1. Be admitted to The University of Memphis as an undergraduate student.

2. Have current licensure as a Registered Nurse in Tennessee.

3. Submit evidence of recent clinical practice.

4. Have a minimum college cumulative grade point average of 2.0.

Prior to entering NURS 3250, the Registered Nurse must have completed specified pre-nursing courses: *ENGL 1101, 1102 (6); *BIOL 1751/1752, 1761/1762 (8), *BIOL 1451/1452 (4); *CHEM 1101, 1102 (8); SOCI 1101 or PSYC 1101; CSED 2202 Nutrition; EDPR 2111 Development Across Lifespan; Mathematics (3) selected from approved courses in the School of Nursing's General Education selection below.

* a grade of C or better

ACADEMIC ADVISING-BASIC STUDENTS

Basic students who are completing courses required for admission to The Loewenberg School of Nursing receive advising through the Academic Counseling Unit located in Scates Hall. The assistant to the dean of the school, however, will be happy to answer inquiries from students regarding admission requirements. Following admission to the School of Nursing, each student is assigned an advisor from the school. The advisor will assist the student in planning for completion of the BSN program and will provide the opportunity for meaningful discussion regarding academic progress and career goals. This assistance, however, does not in any way relieve the student of the primary responsibility for studying the Catalog and fulfilling all the requirements for the degree.

ACADEMIC ADVISING-RN STUDENTS

Each Registered Nurse student who is admitted to The University of Memphis and who declares Nursing as a major is assigned a Loewenberg School of Nursing advisor. The advisor will assist the student with academic planning including formal application for admission to the school. Following admission, the advisor will assist the student with planning for completion of the BSN program and will provide the opportunity for meaningful discussion regarding academic progress and career goals. This assistance, however, does not in any way relieve the student of the primary responsibility for studying the Catalog and fulfilling all the requirements for the degree.

LOANS AND SCHOLARSHIPS

Students are encouraged to complete applications and forms for financial aid. These are available in the Student Financial Aid Office. Some scholarships are also available through The Loewenberg School of Nursing. See Section 3 of this bulletin for a list. Applications for scholarships are available in the school office.

University residence requirements are explained in detail in the Graduation from the University section of this catalog. Note that students transferring from a community or junior college must complete a minimum of sixty semester hours in an accredited senior institution. In addition, 33 of the last 66 semester hours for the degree must be completed at The University of Memphis.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

1. To qualify for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Nursing, the student must complete a minimum of 132 semester hours with the minimum overall quality point average of 2.0 and must meet specific grade requirements described below.

2. A minimum grade of C must be earned for English 1101 and 1102, each required science course, each required upper division course, and each required nursing course.

3. Detailed course requirements are described below under General Education Requirements, Other Support Course Requirements, and Nursing Course Requirements.

General Education Requirements

English Composition (6 hours): ENGL 1101,1102 with a minimum grade of C.

Oral Communication and Rhetoric (3 hours): COMM 2381.

Mathematics (3-6 hours): MATH 1181 and 1182; or one of the following: MATH 1312, 1321 (4), or 2000.

Literary Heritage (3 hours): ENGL 2201 or 2202.

Fine Arts Heritage (3 hours): ART 1101, COMM 1851, DANC 1151, MUHL 1101, or THEA 1551.

Historical/Philosophical Heritage (6 hours): One course from pre-1500: CLAS 2481, HIST 1301, PHIL 1101, POLS 1101, UNIV 2850, UNIV 3580; plus one course from post-1500: HIST 1302, PHIL 1102, POLS 1102, UNIV 2860, 3581.

American Heritage (6 hours): HIST 2601 or 2602; plus one of the following: ANTH 3282, GEOG 3401, HIST 2601, HIST 2602, HIST 3863, HIST 3900, HIST 4851, HIST 4881, POLS 4212, POLS 4405, SOCI 3422.

Social Science (6 hours): One course from list A and one from B:

A. (Global Perspective): ANTH 1200, CJUS 2110, ECON 2110, GEOG 1301, GEOG 1401, POLS 2301, POLS 2501, PSYC 2201, SOCI 2100, SOCI 2101/CSED 2101, UNIV 2304.

B. PSYC 1101, SOCI 1111.

Natural Science (8 hours-Sequence required): CHEM 1101, 1102 or CHEM 1121, 1131, 1122, 1132, with a minimum grade of C. (Completed in the past 7 years. Refer to Science Course Validation Section.)

Fitness and Wellness: (4 hours): HPER 1100 plus two semester hours of physical activity from the following: any 1000 level PHED course; DANC 1821, 1825, 1827, 2821, 2825, 2827; MUAP 2002, THEA 2501; AERO 1111, 1112, 2211, 2212; ARMY 2115/2120; NAVY 1100, 1104, 2204, 2206, 3000. Students completing NAVY 1100, 1104, 2206 and 2204 or 3000 will satisfy the entire 4-hour Fitness and Wellness requirement as will students completing the Advanced Course in Military Science (ARMY 3100, 3111, 3115, 3121, 4100, 4111, 4115, and 4121).

*Computation Intensive (3 hours): EDPR 4541, PSYC 3001, or SOCI 3311.

*Writing Intensive (3 hours): NURS 4110 or any approved writing intensive course.

*Integrative (3 hours): See Nursing Advisor.

Computer Literacy: COMP 1200, NURS 3003, a course approved by the dean, or satisfactory score on university-approved computer literacy examination.

*Under most circumstances, transfer courses may not be used to satisfy the requirements for a computation intensive, writing intensive, or integrative general education requirement. Credit by examination may not be used to fulfill these requirements.

Support Course Requirements

Biology (12 hours): BIOL 1751/1752, 1761/1762, 1451/1452, with a minimum grade of C and a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.40. (Completed in the past 7 years. Refer to Science Course Validation Section.)

Growth and Development: (3 hours): EDPR 2111.

Nutrition (3 hours): CSED 2202.

Statistics (3 hours): EDPR 4541 [C], PSYC 3001 [C], or SOCI 3311 [C], with a minimum grade of C.

Chemistry: See the natural science requirement above.

Nursing Course Requirements-Basic Students

Nursing (60 hours): NURS 2217, 2218 (1), 2219 (2), 2220 (1), 3000, 3101, 3117 (2), 3118 (1), 3119 (2), 3127 (2), 3129, 3217 (2), 3219, 3227 (2), 3229, 3400, 4110 [W], 4117 (2), 4119, 4120, 4127, 4129, 4227, 4229 (5).

Nursing Elective (3 hours): NURS 3003, 4300-09, 4800.

Nursing Course Requirements-RN Students

Nursing (32 hours): NURS 3000, 3101, 3250, 3400, 4110, [W], 4120, 4127, 4129, 4227, 4229 (5).

Nursing Elective (3 hours): NURS 3003, 4300-09, 4800.

The remaining hours for the major requirements are fulfilled by validation of transfer credit hours in nursing for RN students.

The following represent typical schedule plans for basic and RN students.

BASIC STUDENTS

FRESHMAN YEAR

ENGL 1101		3	ENGL 1102		3
BIOL 1751/1752		4	BIOL 1761/1762		4
CHEM 1101		4	CHEM 1102		4
HPER 1100		2	MATH			3
1Social Science		3	1Fine Arts Heritage	3
			16				17

ENGL 2201 or 2202	3	NURS 3400		3
BIOL 1451/1452		4	NURS 3101		3
EDPR 2111		3	NURS 2217		3
CSED 2202		3	NURS 2218		1
COMM 2381		3	NURS 2219		2
Physical Activity	2	NURS 3000		3
				NURS 2220		1
			18				16

NURS 3117		2	NURS 3217		2
NURS 3118		1	NURS 3219		3
NURS 3119		2	NURS 3227		2
NURS 3127		2	NURS 3229		3
NURS 3129		3	1Hist/Phil Heritage	3
1Social Science		3	1American Heritage	3
1American Heritage	3
			16				16

2Statistics		3	NURS 4110 [W]		3
NURS 4117		2	NURS 4227		3
NURS 4119		3	NURS 4229		5
NURS 4127		3	NURS 4120		3
NURS 4129		3	1Hist/Phil Heritage	3
NURS Elective		3
			17				17

RN (Upper Division Requirements)

SUMMER PRECEDING SENIOR YEAR

NURS 3250		3

NURS 3000		3	NURS 4110 [W]		3
NURS 3101		3	NURS 4227		3
NURS 3400		3	NURS 4229		5
NURS 4127		3	NURS 4120		3
NURS 4129		3	NURS Elective		3
*Statistics		3
			18				17

Science Course Validation: If seven years have lapsed since credit was earned in BIOL 1751/1752 and 1761/1762 (Anatomy and Physiology), BIOL 1451/1452 (Microbiology), or CHEM 1101 and 1102, or CHEM 1121/1131 and 1122/1132, the content is considered outdated, and students are required to either repeat the course(s) or validate currency of knowledge. Validation of current knowledge may be accomplished by taking a higher level course in the same field or by examination. The NLN tests in Anatomy and Physiology, Chemistry and Microbiology are used for this purpose. A score at the fiftieth percentile or above is required. Registered nurses are required to submit evidence of recent clinical practice to validate currency of knowledge.

Progression and Retention Criteria: A student who fails to earn a grade of C or better in a nursing theory course or pass in a practicum course may repeat the course one time. In repeating the course to achieve a satisfactory grade, both the theory and the practicum must be taken. They may not be repeated separately. Failure to earn a grade of C or better on the repeated course will result in dismissal from The Loewenberg School of Nursing. A maximum of two nursing courses may be repeated. A student who fails a third nursing course will not be allowed to progress in the school. A student who drops or withdraws from a nursing course may re-enter that course only once.

Clinical Nursing Course Requirements: Before enrolling in a clinical nursing course, students must present evidence of current CPR certification, professional liability insurance ($1,000,000 per occurrence/$3,000,000 aggregate minimum coverage), appropriate immunizations and Titers, and a statement of good health, including a negative PPD skin test or chest x-ray. Immunizations and titers include DT, measles, mumps, polio, Hepatitis B; Rubella vaccine or titer showing immunity; varicela titer. The basic nursing student will pay for malpractice insurance at fee payment. RN students must purchase their own insurance and present evidence prior to enrolling in clinical nursing courses. RN students are also required to present evidence of current licensure in Tennessee.

Students are encouraged to complete these requirements during the semester prior to anticipated enrollment. No student will be allowed to participate in clinical learning experiences until these requirements are satisfied.

Credit By Exam: Credit for some of the upper division nursing courses may be earned through credit by examination. Other methods of earning credit are explained in detail in the Academic Regulations section of this catalog.

RN Licensure: Upon graduation from the program, graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX examination for licensure at testing sites determined by the Tennessee Board of Nursing.

Student Organizations: Students are encouraged to join their professional organization, Student Nurses' Association. This is the local chapter of the National Student Nurses' Association.

Senior students who have achieved a 3.0 cumulative grade point average and who are recommended by faculty are eligible to apply for induction into Sigma Theta Tau, Beta Theta Chapter at Large of the international nursing honor society.