Nursing

Tammie McCoy, Ph.D., Dean of Nursing and Professor of Nursing

Hannah Bascomb, DNP, Chair of Traditional BSN Program, Assistant Professor of Nursing

Ashley Mize, DNP, Assistant Professor of Nursing

Stephanie Mullins, DNS, Assistant Professor of Nursing

Angela Orsborn, DNP, Assistant Professor of Nursing

Rebecca Thompson, MSN, Instructor of Nursing

PART TIME:

Tamar Lucas, DEd, Part-time Nursing Faculty

Denise Thornton-Orr, DNS, Part-time Nursing Faculty

The mission of the School of Nursing is to prepare professional nurses from the perspective of a Christian worldview that fosters intellectual integrity, academic excellence, civility, and character in one’s professional career. The desire of the School of Nursing is to deliver excellence and creativity in teaching that will foster academic success. The School of Nursing prepares graduates to be generalist nurses who can deliver safe and effective care for patients of all ages and for communities with varying needs. Graduates will have a foundational knowledge of nursing practice, person-centered care, population health, scholarship for nursing, systems-based practice, quality and safety, healthcare technologies, professionalism, leadership development, and inter-professional collaboration.

The School of Nursing offers two tracks that result in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. These two tracks are the traditional track and the RN to BSN track. The traditional track supports students seeking to become a professional Christian nurse. The RN to BSN track supports students who are already registered nurses and wish to further their academic preparation. The traditional track is offered in an on-campus classroom approach while the RN to BSN track is offered fully online.

A student in the School of Nursing should be able to effectively perform each of these noted tasks in providing safe and effective patient care.

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

CRITICAL THINKING--Critical thinking ability sufficient for clinical judgment. Identify cause-effect relationships in clinical situations in a timely manner, use analytical skills to identify and solve problems and make decisions, perform mathematical functions, and contribute to the development of nursing care plans.

PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIPS--Interpersonal abilities sufficient to interact with individuals, families and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural and intellectual backgrounds. Establish therapeutic relationships with patients/clients. Establish and cultivate professional rapport with members of the healthcare team. Give objective feedback and accept constructive criticism maturely.

COMMUNICATION--Communication abilities sufficient for interaction with others in verbal and written form. Explain treatment procedures, initiate health teaching, document and interpret nursing actions and patient/client responses. Read and contribute to client documentation (medical record). Read and interpret scientific information.

MOBILITY--Physical abilities sufficient to provide safe and effective nursing care. Move around in patient rooms, work spaces, and treatment areas and administer cardiopulmonary procedures.

MOTOR SKILLS--Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to provide safe and effective nursing care. Calibrate and use equipment; position patients/clients; administer medication by injection; maintain proper asepsis when performing various nursing procedures; and be able to keyboard.

HEARING--Auditory ability sufficient to monitor and assess health needs. Hear monitor alarm, emergency signals, auscultatory sounds and cries for help.

VISUAL--Visual ability sufficient for observation and assessment necessary in nursing care. Observe patient/client responses. Read fine print (syringe calibration).

TACTILE--Tactile ability sufficient for physical assessment. Perform palpations, functions of physical examination and/or those related to therapeutic intervention, e.g., insertion of a catheter.

CHARACTER--Moral and ethical fitness. Concern for others, integrity, accountability, interest, and motivation are necessary personal qualities.

PROGRESSION POLICY

Students must make a grade of C or higher in all nursing courses each semester to progress in the nursing program. A final grade of F in a didactic course or failure in a clinical course will prevent the student from progressing. If the student is engaged in other nursing courses at the time of receiving an F or failure, the student will be able to complete the didactic course(s) prior to being dismissed from the program.

READMISSION POLICY

A student seeking readmission into the School of Nursing should:

Complete the Nursing Retention Course
Have an overall GPA of 2.0
Submit a letter of request to be readmitted to the School of Nursing Readmission Committee. The committee will provide a written response within 14 business days.

Readmission is not guaranteed, it will be based on program space availability. If readmitted to the BSN program, students must complete a criminal background check, obtain a clean drug screen, and adhere to all other clinical requirements.

DRUG TESTING

The School of Nursing requires that all applicants submit to a drug screening prior to entering or returning to the nursing program. Failure by the applicant to receive a clean finding on the drug screen will result in prohibition from entering/reentering the nursing program. Applicants will only have one opportunity to obtain a clean finding on the drug screen. Refer to BMC Policy 4.22 Drug Free Tobacco Free Environment.
Any student who shows signs of the potential of being under the influence of drugs or alcohol will be required to have a drug and/or alcohol screening performed immediately. The faculty will designate the location where the screening test will take place. All fees associated with the screening will be the responsibility of the student. The screening results must be presented to the School of Nursing. Any student who cannot produce a clean finding will be subject to disciplinary action, including possible dismissal from the program. The Vice President for Academic Affairs will be notified and Policy 4.22 will be followed. Failure to provide a specimen will result in immediate program exclusion.
Students enrolled in the traditional nursing courses are required to submit to drug testing prior to clinical experiences each term. The results must be provided directly to the SON.

CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK

In compliance with Mississippi Statute 43-11-13, the School of Nursing requires that all applicants submit to a criminal background check with fingerprinting on admission/readmission. Admission to the School of Nursing does not guarantee eligibility for state licensure.