Mar 28, 2024  
UOFM 2022-2023 UNDERGRADUATE CATALOG 
    
UOFM 2022-2023 UNDERGRADUATE CATALOG [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

The Loewenberg College of Nursing


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The Loewenberg College of Nursing

Linda Haddad, Ph.D., MSN, BSN
4055 North Park Loop, 2502 Community Health Building; (901) 678-2020
http://nursing.memphis.edu

Purposes

The primary function of The Loewenberg College 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 college 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 college 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.

Graduates of the program are eligible to apply to take the NCLEX examination for state licensure through the respective state boards of nursing. Program applicants should be aware that conviction of the following crimes would make the student ineligible for Registered Nurse licensure in the State of Tennessee: Aggravated Assault as in T.C.A. 39-13-102; First Degree Murder, as in T.C.A. 39-13-202; Second Degree Murder, as in T.C.A. 39-13-207; Voluntary Manslaughter, as in T.C.A. 39-13-211; False Imprisonment, as in T.C.A. 39-13-302; Kidnapping, as in T.C.A. 39-13-303; Aggravated Kidnapping, as in T.C.A. 39-13-304; Especially Aggravated Kidnapping, as in T.C.A. 39-13-305; Robbery, as in T.C.A. 39-13-401; Aggravated Robbery, as in T.C.A. 39-13-402; Especially Aggravated Robbery, as in T.C.A. 39-13-403; Aggravated Rape, as in T.C.A. 39-13-502; Rape, as in T.C.A. 39-13-503; Aggravated Sexual Battery, as in T.C.A. 39-13-504; Sexual Battery, as in T.C.A. 39-13-505; Statutory Rape, as in T.C.A. 39-15-506; Theft of Property, as in T.C.A. 39-14-103; Theft of Services, as in T.C.A. 39-14-104; Forgery, as in T.C.A. 39-14-114; Falsifying of Educational and Academic Records, as in T.C.A. 39-14-136; Arson, as in T.C.A. 39-14-301; Aggravated Arson, as in T.C.A. 39-14-302; Burglary, as in T.C.A. 39-14-402; Aggravated Burglary, as in T.C.A. 39-14-404; Incest, as in T.C.A. 39-15-302; Aggravated Child Abuse, as in T.C.A. 39-15-402; Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, as in T.C.A. 39-17-1003; Aggravated Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, as in T.C.A. 39-17-1004; Especially Aggravated Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, as in T.C.A. 39-17-1005; Assisted Suicide, as in T.C.A. 39-13-216; Rape of a Child, as in T.C.A. 39-13-522.

Organization

The Loewenberg College 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 college. 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 College 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 College 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. The baccalaureate degree program in nursing and master’s degree program in nursing at the Loewenberg College of Nursing are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791. The programs are also fully approved by the Tennessee Board of Nursing

Program Outcomes

Baccalaureate graduates of the Loewenberg College of Nursing:

  1. Provide safe and high-quality nursing care across a continuum of healthcare environments.
  2. Use evidence based research, informatics, and technologies in nursing practice to improve the health of diverse populations.
  3. Explore the impact of socio-cultural, economic, legal and political factors that shape healthcare delivery and professional nursing practice.
  4. Communicate and collaborate effectively both inter-professionally and intra-professionally.
  5. Implement clinical prevention and health promotion strategies to improve patient health outcomes.
  6. Demonstrate professional values and ethical behaviors in all dimensions of nursing practice.

Degree Requirements

  1. To qualify for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Nursing, the student must complete a minimum of 120 semester hours with the minimum overall grade point average of 2.0 and must meet specific grade requirements described below.
  2. A minimum grade of “C” must be earned for English 1010 and 1020 and each required math, social science, nutrition, science, upper division, and each required nursing course.
  3. Detailed course requirements are described below under General Education Program Requirements, Other Support Course Requirements, and Nursing Course Requirements.

Admission

Because the University of Memphis seeks to provide in as much as possible a reasonably safe environment for its health career students and their patients, students may be required during the course of the program to demonstrate their physical and/or emotional fitness to meet the essential requirements of the program. Such essential requirements include freedom from communicable diseases, the ability to perform certain physical tasks, and suitable emotional fitness. Any appraisal measures used to determine such physical and/or emotional fitness will be in compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the American with Disabilities Act of 1990, so as not to discriminate against any individual on the basis of disability. See specific criteria under Sophomore Admission.

Core performance standards for admission and progression:

  1. Critical thinking ability sufficient for clinical judgment.
  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.

Freshman Admission Requirements and Criteria

High School students may apply in their senior year to the Loewenberg College of Nursing. Pre-Admission is highly selective. Applicants are ranked based on the GPA and ACT. Only the top ranked applicants will be offered pre-admission. Applicants who meet the following criteria are eligible to apply for pre-admission:

  1. Submission of a completed online application to the Loewenberg College of Nursing (LCON) prior to the published deadline.
  2. Completion of high school Algebra I, II, Geometry, Biology, and Chemistry.
  3. Minimum ACT score of 23 with a minimum score of 21 in all areas.
  4. Graduation from an accredited high school with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0.

BSN Admission Requirements and Criteria

  1. Admission to the UofM as a degree seeking undergraduate student for the current application term.
  2. Submission of a completed online application to the Loewenberg College of Nursing (LCON) prior to the published deadline.
  3. Achievement of a minimum college cumulative GPA of 2.7 at the time of application.
  4. Completion of general education requirements prior to enrollment is strongly advised; applicants may have no more than 6 general education credit hours to be completed.
  5. Completion of all prerequisite courses prior to enrollment; a minimum grade of “C” must be earned. Courses include:

    -English Comp I & II, Intro Sociology or General Psychology, Math 1420, 1530, 1710, 1730, 1830, or 1910 and Nutrition;

    -Anatomy & Physiology I (with lab), Anatomy & Physiology II (with lab), and Microbiology (with lab).
     
  6. Accelerated BSN admission criteria include a baccalaureate degree and completion of Math 1530 or equivalent.
  7. Completion of two of three (2 of 3) prerequisite science courses at the time of application and all three prior to enrollment. Science courses include: Anatomy & Physiology I (with lab), Anatomy & Physiology II (with lab), and Microbiology (with lab).
    1. Applicants are required to complete prerequisite science courses within seven (7) years of LCON admission earning a minimum combined GPA of 2.66.
    2. Preference will be given to those students who completed all science pre-requisites and meet the required GPA at the time of application.
    3. One (1) science course may be repeated once; the second earned letter grade of the first repeated course will be used in the science GPA calculation. The first earned letter grade for the remaining two (2) science courses will be used in the science GPA calculation.
    4. Students with two (2) or more science pre-requisite courses in-progress at the time of application will only be considered for admission with completion of two (2) college general science courses (for science majors) earning a grade of “C” or better on the first attempt. The highest 1st attempt course grades will be used in the science GPA calculation.
  8. Clearance of all high school deficiencies.
  9. Applicants transferring from or previously enrolled in another nursing program must submit a letter of good standing or support from the dean/director of the previous nursing program, along with an official transcript, and meet LCON admission and progression standards as stated in the Undergraduate Catalog. Students earning a grade of D or F for one or more nursing courses within five (5) years of application are not eligible for admission.
  10. Have a minimum TOEFL score of 173 computer-based, 61 Internet-based, or 500 paper-pencil, or a minimum IELTS score of 5.0 (for students for whom English is a second language).

RN-BSN Admission Requirements and Criteria

  1. Be admitted to the University of Memphis as a degree-seeking undergraduate student.
  2. Submission of a completed online application to the Loewenberg College of Nursing (LCON) prior to the published deadline.
  3. Have a minimum college cumulative grade point average of 2.5, a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 in prerequisite science courses.
  4. Completion of prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of “C” or better. Prerequisite courses include:

    - English Comp I & II, Intro Sociology or General Psychology, Math 1420,1530, 1710, 1730, 1830, or 1910 and Nutrition, Anatomy & Physiology I (with lab), Anatomy & Physiology II (with lab), and Microbiology (with lab).
  5. Prerequisite science courses completed later than seven (7) years of LCON admission may be accepted with validation from current healthcare employer.
  6. Hold an unencumbered, active RN license.

BSN Admission Selection Process

  1. BSN applicants are considered on a competitive space available basis for the Memphis and Lambuth campuses
  2. For each campus, applicants are rank-ordered by cumulative GPA (40%), weighted Science GPA (40%), and weighted Math grade (20%).
    1. A minimum of two science courses are used to calculate the Science GPA; general science grades (for science majors) are used if two or more science prerequisites are in-progress. The highest weight is applied to the Science GPA derived from all three prerequisite science courses. Consideration will be given to those students who completed all science pre-requisites and meet the required GPA at the time of application. General science grades (for science majors) are used if two science pre-requisites are in progress. The lowest weight is applied to the science GPA derived from two general science courses.
    2. For students who complete more than one math course, the higher course grade is used to calculate the weighted Math grade. The highest weight is applied to the MATH 1530, MATH 1710, MATH 1730, MATH 1830, or MATH 1910 course grade. A lower weight is applied to the Math 1420 course grade.
  3. A rank ordered alternate list may be established each semester to fill vacancies that might occur before the beginning of class.
  4. Students who are not accepted must reapply to be considered for another admissions cycle.
  5. High School seniors must complete applications for Freshmen Pre-Admittance by January 1. Pre-admitted students will enter the College of Nursing in the 4th semester at the University of Memphis. Pre-admitted students who do not enter the College of Nursing in their specified semester will forfeit their guaranteed seat and will be required to re-apply for admission to the nursing program. 
  6. Traditional BSN applicants must have complete files by the deadlines (Fall: February 15; Spring: September 1) to be considered.
  7. Accelerated BSN applicants must have complete files by the deadline (Fall: February 15) to be considered. Accelerated BSN only admits during the Fall semester.

Advanced Placement Admission - RN Students

Advanced Placement Admission

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

  1. Be admitted to the University of Memphis as a degree-seeking 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 2.7.
  5. Have completed specified courses with a minimum grade of “C”: ENGL 1010, ENGL 1020 (6); BIOL 2010/BIOL 2011, BIOL 2020/BIOL 2021 (8), MATH 1420, MATH 1530, or MATH 1830, MATH 1910 or 2000, BIOL 1230/BIOL 1231 (4); SOCI 1111 or PSYC 1200; NUTR 3202*.
  6. Minimum of 2.66 cumulative grade point average in required laboratory science courses: BIOL 2010/BIOL 2011 and BIOL 2020/BIOL 2021; BIOL 1230/BIOL 1231. A prerequisite science course may be repeated only once to earn a minimum grade of “C”. A maximum of two prerequisite science courses may be repeated to earn the minimum required grade.
  7. Must meet the Sophomore Admission Criteria identified earlier, except that NCLEX is required.

*Credit in NUTR 2202 may also be used to meet this course requirement

Accelerated Second Degree BSN Program Option

Accelerated Second Degree

Accelerated Second Degree BSN Program Options

The graduate with a non-nursing Bachelor’s degree may choose to enroll in the Accelerated Second Degree BSN Program Option. The 16-month program allows students to master theoretical and clinical knowledge and skill needed to become a professional nurse who is prepared to positively influence nursing and the health of the global community. Enrollment in the Accelerated Second Degree BSN Program Option is in the fall semester and consists of three semesters and one summer of the nursing major. More information is located on the Loewenberg College of Nursing website.

Academic Advising

Advising

Students who are completing courses required for admission to the Loewenberg College of Nursing (LCON) receive advising through the Academic Counseling Center. However, questions about admission requirements may be addressed to the Assistant Dean of Nursing Students in the Loewenberg College of Nursing.

Following admission to LCON, each student is assigned an Academic Advisor from the college. The Academic 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 Undergraduate Catalog and fulfilling all the requirements for the degree.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Financial Aid

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 College of Nursing. These scholarship applications are available in the college’s office.

Scholarships

More than a dozen scholarships and loans exist to support the education of LCON students.  All nursing students are encouraged to apply for a nursing scholarship each year through Tiger Scholarship Manager.  Scholarship applications for the following academic year are accepted from early November to late January.

Fees

Practicum nursing courses require an additional fee of $60 and Skills Laboratory courses an additional fee of $50 and $122. Theory courses have an additional fee of $25 for testing. These fees are not included in the Fee Schedule

Residency

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, 30 of the last 60 semester hours for the degree must be completed at the University of Memphis.

Progression in the Nursing Major

  1. A nursing course may only be entered twice.
  2. A minimum grade of “C” must be earned in each nursing course to progress. Failure to earn a minimum grade of “C” will require repeating the course before attempting other nursing courses.
  3. When the theory or clinical component of any course sequence must be repeated, the companion course must also be repeated even though a satisfactory grade has been earned.
  4. Irregular progression students who are out of clinical nursing course work for longer than three months will be reviewed by the Associate Dean who may require testing or the repetition of courses in which satisfactory grades have been earned.

Disqualification from the Nursing Major

  1. Failure to earn a minimum grade of “C” or better, or “S” (clinical) when repeating a nursing course.
  2. Failure to earn a “C” or better, or “S” (clinical) in two nursing courses.
  3. Professional/academic misconduct or dishonesty.
  4. Falsification of any academic/medical/nursing record or misrepresentation of nursing care or credential.
  5. Clinical practice that places patients in physical or emotional jeopardy after the student is taught otherwise.
  6. Failure to adhere to LCON substance abuse policy.

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), criminal background and credential check, 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; varicella titer; negative COVID-19 test and/or proof of COVID vaccination. 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 Organization

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, ranked in the top 35% of their graduating class, meet the expectation of academic integrity, 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.

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