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, Jackson, and the surrounding communities.

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

The baccalaureate program at LCON prepares the graduate to:     

1. Provide safe, compassionate, inclusive, high-quality nursing care across the lifespan and continuum of healthcare settings.  
2. Use evidence-based research, informatics, and technologies in nursing practice to improve the health of diverse populations.  
3. Explore the impact of social determinants of health, legal factors, and political factors that shape healthcare delivery and professional nursing practice. 
4. Communicate and collaborate effectively as a leader and member of interprofessional teams to impact healthcare delivery. 
5. Implement clinical prevention and health promotion strategies to improve patient and population health outcomes. 
6. Integrate personal and professional values and ethical principles into the design and delivery of person-centered care. 
7. Demonstrate practices that foster personal health, resilience, well-being, and lifelong learning to support the acquisition of nursing expertise and leadership.

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, 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 Pathways

The Loewenberg College of Nursing offers three pathways to the baccalaureate degree. They include a traditional BSN, an accelerated BSN (for students having a baccalaureate degree in another field, and an RN-BSN (for licensed RNs with an associate degree or diploma certificate). For pathway information, including specific application, admission, and curriculum requirements, click on the links below.

Nursing, Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Traditional  

Nursing, Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Accelerated  

Nursing, Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), RN-BSN  

Academic Advising

Advising

Students who are completing courses required for admission to the Loewenberg College of Nursing (LCON) receive advising through the Academic Advising Center. However, questions about admission requirements may be addressed to the Associate Dean for Student Success and Inclusion at 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

Additional fees, including clinical practicum fees, materials fees, testing fees, and insurance fees will be required throughout the program. These fees are not included in the university Fee schedule. Current fee rates can be found in the LCON Academic Bulletin available on the LCON website.

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 for Academic Programs 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 a criminal and background check, a statement of good health, appropriate immunizations and titers (measles, mumps, rubella [MMR]; tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis [Tdap]; hepatitis B, varicella, influenza, and COVID-19), American Heart Association CPR certification (Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers), and a negative PPD skin test or chest x-ray. Students will also pay a $7 fee per semester to cover general malpractice insurance.

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

RN Licensure

Upon graduation from the program, graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX examination for licensure at testing sites as determined by the Tennessee Board of Nursing, or the Board of Nursing in the state in which the student is seeking initial licensure.

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.