Cumberland University Mt. Juliet campus - adult night & weekends

camjones · Nov 17, 2014

I recently received my undergraduate degree in sociology. Along with my sociology courses, I completed general biology, anatomy/physiology, nutrition, and statistics. Two of those courses were completed back in 2009. Is there a time frame in which CU requires that these courses be completed? Also, what is the required score for the nursing entrance exam? Oh, I have taken childhood and adolescent development and an adulthood and aging course. Can those two classes count for human growth and development course?

SouthernPsy · Nov 17, 2014

I recently received my undergraduate degree in sociology. Along with my sociology courses, I completed general biology, anatomy/physiology, nutrition, and statistics. Two of those courses were completed back in 2009. Is there a time frame in which CU requires that these courses be completed?

I'm not sure of a specific time frame. However, I took my statistics class in 2008 and was accepted into the program in 2013, and they accepted the class as a prereq, so that's about 5 years. I know some classmates who got their degrees longer ago than that and some of their classes were transferred. Just to be sure, I would call or e-mail CU and ask them. Actually, I'd probably e-mail that nursing department as well (I'm a "cover all your bases" type of guy).

Also, what is the required score for the nursing entrance exam?

The benchmark scores are given on the day of the kaplan entrance exam. I can't prove it, but I have a feeling the benchmark scores change every year, depending on how many students need to enroll. I've always been a B+ and A- student, and I passed the scores easily. Hopefully, that gives you an idea.

I remember thinking the benchmark scores were slightly lower than I thought they'd be. Also, I know a few people who did not make the benchmark scores but still got into the program. Cumberland probably looked at their background and their GPA and decided they'd still be a good fit. Also, do NOT buy the Kaplan book. The general consensus among myself and classmates was that the edition we purchased was absolutely useless. If you decide to take the exam, tell me in advance, and I can tell you specific topics to focus on when preparing for it.

Oh, I have taken childhood and adolescent development and an adulthood and aging course. Can those two classes count for human growth and development course?

That's a kind of an odd situation, so I am not sure. I can say that it is possible, but you might have to make a case for it in writing. I would definitely check into this. If they do not accept it and you have to take it again, I'm sure you'd do fine, considering your background, and this could pad your GPA a bit.

The good news is that either one of these classes and probably several others from your major can replace the "nursing elective" classes that are required in the last semester of the program. Also, if you've had a research class, it can often replace the nursing research class. If you've had 2 research classes from your previous major, I think they can replace both nursing research classes, but I am not 100% certain.

I hope this helped and please feel free to ask any other questions you might have.

camjones · Nov 17, 2014

CU has everything from me except my transcripts from my alma mater. How long does it take to hear from admissions once they receive the transcripts? Also, what's required in order to apply for the nursing program other than the entrance exam? Also, do you know of any scholarships CU offers?

SouthernPsy · Nov 17, 2014

I'm not quite sure about the length of time to hear back from CU. I don't remember exactly, but it seemed to be quicker than other schools I applied for.

If I remember correctly, one applies to the university first by sending in all the usual admissions info plus a short essay. On one of the forms you declare your intention to major in nursing. After acceptance into CU in general, you'd apply for the nursing program which consists of another essay, some more info and forms, and the Kaplan exam. You have to schedule the Kaplan carefully because I think you have to take the exam in the same year that you're applying. Google "cumberland university Kaplan exam", and the info will pop up.

CU does offer a few scholarships but not many. I did not apply for any because I was extremely busy at the time doing other things. After being accepted, I went to general orientation for CU, and they randomly told me I had been given the Stockton scholarship, which is worth $1,500. It is effective for only 2 semesters per year, so it will apply to 4 out of the 5 semesters of the program. I can't remember the requirements, but I think that scholarship is gpa-based. At the time, my gpa was somewhere between 3.25 and 3.5, I think. Again, it's been a while since I've gone over everything I've mentioned, so I encourage you to double-check what I'm telling you. Also, they host informational meetings for prospective students every so often. The schedule is usually online. Any other questions?

camjones · Nov 17, 2014

Thanks for the information. You've been a great help!

SouthernPsy · Nov 19, 2014

In another thread, someone asked me some questions about the program. I just wanted to post my reply here, so others can see. Here it is below:

Hi jeakes,

First of all I wanted to mention that I started a Q&A thread here for the program, so you can check it out if you'd like. Feel free to ask me anything :)

So, Cumberland is a private school, so it is more expensive than community college, but it was the only one I could find that offered the schedule I needed. I'm finishing up semester 4 now, and tuition is $9,600 for this semester. They do offer a few scholarships, but I would check into that with a CU employee. I have the Stockton scholarship, which is knocks off about $1,700.

The program is 5 semesters long without a summer break. Fall, spring, summer, fall, spring for me. Pursuing a BSN vs ASN probably depends on where you want to work after graduation. Some hospitals, like Vanderbilt, are moving towards only hiring BSN nurses. The job market for new grads is becoming a little more competitive in the Nashville area, so a BSN will probably help you in getting a job. I'm not implying you can't find employment with an ASN, but just that it would be easier to find one with a BSN. Also, if you're wanting to go to grad school to become an NP, I would just go ahead and get a BSN, but that's just my opinion.

During each semester, there are 3-4 classes during the week that start at 6:00 pm and typically last until 9:00. We've had one that ended at 9:55 and a few that ended at 8:00. We've also had one course that was completely online (gerontology), which was very nice.

During the first semester, your labs or clinical days are on saturdays in Lebanon at the McFarland campus. This is where you learn skills and do check offs for the nursing foundations and health assessment class. I think the hours were something like 8:00-3:00 maybe or 7:00-4:00. I can't remember exactly. The way we did check offs for this program, is we would record ourselves (usually another students would do the video) performing our skills on a dummy in the lab in Lebanon or sometimes in Mt. Juliet and e-mail the video to the professor. For health assessment, check offs are done in person with the instructor there.

Towards the end of that first semester you'll do 3 or 4 days of clinical in a nursing home in Lebanon, which is no fun. You will basically be doing work similar to a tech. ADL's, bathing, feeding, etc. In my opinion, the first semester is the most demanding and the most difficult because you're trying to adjust to the ways of nursing school i.e. dealing with check offs, NCLEX style questions, the scheduling of classes, finding time to study, etc.

Don't get me wrong, after the first semester it is still difficult, but in my opinion, the first semester is the most challenging and time consuming. For the last 4 semesters, clinical days and time vary each semester, depending on which hospital will take students. Typically, they try to get them on Saturdays, but we've had some on Fridays (for only 5 weeks) that started in the evening and lasted until 2 am. There was one semester that we had adult health clinicals, aka med/surg, on Sundays.

SouthernPsy · Nov 19, 2014

The stockton scholarship is actually $1,700, not $1,500. Sorry about that

karlblade · Apr 21, 2015

I am currently applying to the Mt. Juliet program. Where are you in the process and how are things going?

SouthernPsy · May 6, 2015

I'm actually about to graduate this weekend! Things went well. I'm glad you're applying, let me know if you have any questions. Sorry it took so long for me to reply.

Kgreeneyes · Jul 13, 2015

Hello!

Since it is set up for night classes/weekends, did you work when you were in the program? Could I work part-time?

What would you recommend studying to prepare for the Kaplan Nursing Exam?

Thanks!

s2bLuluRN · Jul 22, 2015

I actually posted on an older post that you had commented on before coming across this one. Thanks for all the info. It answered many questions I had. When you say that you had clinicals at a nursing home for 3-4 days, were those days during the week? If so, were they after 4:00p? The main reason for my applying to this program is so that I can continue to work full time. There is no way possible I could go down to part time. Also, any luck on landing your first job? What is the atmosphere like? I am finishing up prereqs at Vol State right now and I dread going to class because everyone seem like they do not want to be there. No one wants to get together and study. My whole experience has seemed so uninvolved.