School of Nursing

Cathy R. Taylor, Dean, College of Health Sciences
Martha Buckner, Associate Dean of Nursing
Linda Wofford, Interim Director, Graduate Studies in Nursing
Erin Shankel, Interim Director, FNP Coordinator

Faculty: Loretta Bond, Jeannie Giese, Leslie Higgins, BJ Hutchins, Elizabeth Morse, Mitch Price, Erin Shankel, Susan Taplin, Linda Wofford, Dave Wyant.

The graduate nursing program at Belmont offers two degrees, the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) through four different pathways. Students who are licensed registered nurses (RNs) with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) may pursue the MSN leading to preparation as a family nurse practitioner (FNP). The post-masters courses option is for students who have already earned a MSN and desire additional specialized preparation as an FNP.

Earning the DNP degree can be accomplished through either of two paths - enter as a BSN prepared RN or as a master’s prepared APRN. Those entering with a BSN complete a curriculum that combines the core courses of advanced pathophysiology, advanced health assessment, advanced pharmacology with direct and indirect clinical experiences for a family nurse practitioner role. Those students entering as a master’s prepared APRN complete a curriculum that builds on existing APRN knowledge, skills, and attitudes in order to gain expertise at a systems and population level.

Affiliation

Belmont University School of Nursing is a member of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing and the Southern Council on Collegiate Education of Nursing. The master’s program is approved by the Tennessee Board of Nursing and accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 530, Washington DC 20036, (202) 887-6791. In addition, the School of Nursing holds the charter for the Omicron Phi chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing and is a member institution of the Nightingale Society.

Academic Policies

Academic Policies for MSN and DNP Programs

Progression toward Graduation

It is essential that students make satisfactory progress toward their degree in terms of consistency and performance. Unsatisfactory progress will result in the following actions:

Condition	Action
Two “C” grades	Academic Probation
GPA less than 3.0	Academic Probation
Three “C” grades	Dismissal
“F” grade in any course	Dismissal
Failure to enroll in a term	Inactive Status

If a student remains on Inactive Status for more than one year without the program director’s permission, the student must reapply for admission to the program.

Students on academic probation must raise their cumulative GPA to 3.0 or higher within the next two semesters, and must earn grades higher than “C” in all future classes. If a student fails to meet these criteria the student is automatically dismissed from the program. Any student who is dismissed may apply for readmission, but only once.