At Union University, we are ready to help students enter the
changing world of the twenty-first century. Not a giant research
institution, Union is a learner-centered institution where
classroom teaching is prized. We enable students to be grounded
in the world of literature, values, ideals, history, ethics,
arts, music, communication and creativity. The most important
assets on the Union campus are our students and our
well-prepared, highly motivated faculty who model excellence for
our students while challenging them to pursue excellence in all
areas of their lives.
Education at Union is not only excellence-driven, it is
Christ-centered. This means more than having a campus minister
and regular chapel program, although these are important
components. It means a commitment to the serious integration of
faith and learning. This involves a holistic approach to
education with the goal of having students who are both
Christianly informed and Christianly formed.
As you confront the challenges of nursing and the health care
community in the twenty-first century, you'll want the finest
preparation available. That's what you'll find as a nursing
student at Union University: a first-tier faculty that will equip
you with the professional skills you need for success, yet will
also take an interest in you as a person. Empowerment.
Flexibility. A commitment to the individual. A spirit of
Christian service. At Union University, those principles serve as
a foundation for the study of nursing. If you want to reach your
professional goals and have a great time along the way, we'll get
you there! The School of Nursing has been widely recognized for a
record of achievement, including:
The primary degree program at Union leads to the Bachelor of
Science in Nursing (BSN). The Traditional BSN degree typically
takes eight semesters (four years) to complete. Students take a
core curriculum of courses (65 hours) shared by most Union
students, then an additional 64 hours in nursing course work. The
BSN curriculum provides the professional knowledge and clinical
experience to prepare you for success in a variety of health care
environments. It will also provide the foundation for future
specialized graduate studies. Applications are accepted through
March 1st each year.
Accelerated BSN (12 Months)
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Union offers a 12-month BSN degree for adult students interested
in becoming registered nurses. It is designed for students who
have discovered an interest in nursing and want to move from a
variety of other career areas. This option takes into account the
educational, career and life experiences of the individual as
well as their critical thinking ability and maturity. Students
with an earned bachelor's degree in another area are required to
have a cumulative GPA of 2.8 and a Science GPA of 2.8 to apply
for the program. Students without an earned bachelor's degree
must be age 24 or older, have an ACT of 20 or greater, a
cumulative GPA of 2.8 and a Science GPA of 2.8. Applications are
accepted through July 1st for the following January cohort. This
program is offered on the Jackson and Germantown campuses.
RN-to-BSN*
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Union offers an RN-to-BSN program, which enables registered
nurses holding the associate degree or diploma to continue their
studies and earn a BSN. The RN-to-BSN program offers the
classroom and clinical experience needed to enhance the
registered nurse's professional and leadership opportunities. The
degree can generally be completed in 18 months and includes 30
hours of nursing course work. The RN-to-BSN program is also
available on Union's extension campus in Germantown, TN where
flexible day and evening classes are offered. In addition,
rolling admission and individualized plans of study provide the
perfect opportunity to finish that degree you have always wanted.
*Applicants to the RN-BSN program must be licensed RNs.
LPN-to-BSN
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Enjoy professional nursing with all the benefits of increased pay
and career opportunities! This program prepares graduates for the
RN licensure exam. Applications for the program are accepted
through March 1st each year for students with a cumulative GPA of
2.8 and a science GPA of 2.8. The program begins each Fall.
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
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The MSN program is available on the Jackson and Germantown
campuses. The cohort model emphasizes group cohesion, cooperation
and interactive support. Tracks in the MSN program include
Administration, Education, Family Nurse Practitioner and Nurse
Practitioner/Clinical Nurse Specialist. The cohort program begins
each Fall. Within semesters, most courses are offered in an
accelerated, 7- to 8-week format. Deadline for all application
documents is June 1st.
The graduate of the Master of Science in Nursing program will be
able to:
- Incorporate theory and research in advanced practice nursing.
- Assume leadership roles in one's specialty area of nursing to
promote health and well being of persons in an intercultural
world.
- Integrate knowledge of health care economics and policy into
the delivery of cost effective, ethically responsible nursing
care.
- Manage information using technology to influence nursing
practice.
- Demonstrate competency in the selected nursing practice.
MSN in Nurse Anesthesia
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The nurse anesthesia program is a front loaded, 74-semester hour,
full-time graduate track. Graduates receive a MSN after
successfully completing 31 months of didactic and clinical
training. Currently, the program has 13 clinical sites in West
Tennessee and Kentucky that include specialty rotations in
cardiac, pediatric and neuroanesthesia.
The curriculum has been designed to meet practice requirements
that are specific to nurse anesthetists, such as an applied human
gross anatomy course that includes work with cadavers. This
laboratory work will permit students to receive curricular
content that focuses on anatomy related to regional anesthesia
and central line placement techniques. Our nurse anesthesia track
includes human cadaver lab and the Human Patient Simulator (HPS)
by METI. HPS will provide students with state-of-the-art
simulation training prior to and after the start of clinical
rotations. The HPS will permit students to experience advanced
problem-based learning techniques and begin the process of
acquiring clinical skills.
The program is fully accredited and begins each January. Deadline
for applications is April 1st each year. Applicants must have a
BSN with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and a minimum of one year
critical care experience in order to be eligible for the program.
Post-Master's Certificates
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This program is ideal for nurses who have obtained their master's
degree in nursing in another advanced practice area and now find
themselves in positions that require advanced preparation. Tracks
available in the Post-Master's Certificate option include Nursing
Administration, Nursing Education, Family Nurse Practitioner and
Nurse Practitioner/Clinical Nurse Specialist.
The Nursing Administration certificate prepares nurses for a
variety of administrative and leadership positions in health care
delivery. The Nursing Education certificate prepares nurses for
educator positions in a variety of settings such as staff
development, patient education, schools and colleges. The Family
Nurse Practitioner option prepares nurses for a general practice
and includes the triad of adults, pediatrics and women's health.
The Nurse Practitioner/Clinical Nurse Specialist option prepares
practitioners for a specialized practice such as in a hospital or
specialty clinic.
Note: International students must submit a TOEFL score,
financial affidavit and international application with fee in
addition to the School of Nursing application and fee.
Accreditation
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Union University's School of Nursing is accredited by the
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), which covers
undergraduate and graduate nursing programs. CCNE is the premier
accrediting body for nursing.