Accredited
Hybrid
On-campus
Online
Public
BSN DNP MSN RN-to-MSN RN-to-BSN LPN-to-BSN Entry-Level BSN MSN-to-DNP CRNA NP Accelerated BSN Post-grad Certificate Other
- Accreditations CCNE COA
- Location(s) Tennessee
- Telephone 1-731-661-6545
- Request Information
Founded in 1823, Union University is a private, four-year liberal arts university affiliated with the Tennessee Baptist Convention. The School of Nursing began in the early 1960’s and serves as one of the largest majors for Union University. Students receive their education from a nationally ranked and accredited School of Nursing combining service to the Lord according to his or her area(s) of specialty.
Undergraduate
First Step to BSN
The First Step to BSN program enables adult students having little or no prior college credits, to progress toward earning their degrees. First Step features an 18-month rotation of online and accelerated core courses. After completing the program, students may apply to the Accelerated BSN program where they can work toward their BSN degree, in 15 months, or enter the Traditional BSN program. A First Step student must be a graduate of an accredited high school or have a state high school equivalency diploma and be at least 24 years of age. The program is available on Jackson, Germantown and Hendersonville campuses.
LPN to BSN
This primary degree program option leads students to the BSN. The track can be completed in four semesters (two years) with credit given for previous LPN academic preparation and experience. 64 hours of completion are required for the BSN degree. Jackson Campus is the only campus available for the LPN to BSN program.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Accelerated (BSNA)
This 15-month Accelerated BSN track is for non-nurses who have a bachelor's degree in another field or are at least 24 years of age, have completed general educational requirements, but did not complete a bachelor's degree. The program is available on the Jackson, Germantown and Hendersonville campuses.
RN to BSN
The RN to BSN track is for the Registered Nurse that holds an Associate Degree or Diploma in Nursing. Completion of the curriculum may be achieved online, excluding general education requirements. All online didactics may be completed though E-Campus. The program can generally be completed in 18 months.
Graduate
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
The Master of Science in Nursing program focuses on advanced theory and practice in a specialized area of nursing. Curriculum provides students opportunities to practice in a variety of health-care settings.
- Nursing Education
- Nursing Administration
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Adult/Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Post-Graduate Certificate
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program prepares graduate students for roles in areas of executive leadership, nurse anesthesia, and nurse practitioner. The DNP Program includes clinical experiences in one's area of practice while incorporating a Christian worldview.
- Nurse Anesthesia
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Adult/Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Executive Leadership
The RN to DNP and BSN to DNP programs are available as full-time options only. Areas of specialization include:
- Nurse Anesthesia
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Adult/Geriatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
- Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- Executive Leadership
The Nurse Practitioner tracks require a combination of on-line and weekly on-campus sessions. The Executive Leadership option is offered completely online, with the exception of 3-4 day on-campus sessions three times a year.
The post-master's DNP can be taken as a full-time or part-time track that begins the fall of each year. Students are expected to be on campus for four 1-week sessions during the program with an ongoing online educational process through Moodle. Clinical fellowships are completed in the student's geographical area coupled with clinical agency support from the institution in completing a DNP Project.
Nurse Anesthesia
- BSN-DNP - Full-time, Jackson campus
- CRNA-DNP - Full-time, Jackson campus
- Post-Master's DNP - Full-/part-time, Online available, 5-semester
The program broadens one's perspective of health care systems and delivery models from a Christian worldview.
Admission Criteria (not all inclusive for all portals of entry)
- Cumulative Graduate GPA at least 3.0
- Official transcript(s) from all undergraduate/graduate courses
- Current, unencumbered RN and CRNA license in state of residence
- 1,000 clinical hours post-BSN degree
- Eligible for Tennessee RN license
- Nursing Graduate Admissions Selection Committee interview
- Three letters of professional/academic reference
- Statement of professional goals
- Curriculum Vitae
Post-Master's DNP Admission Criteria (not all inclusive)
- Current unencumbered RN licensure in state of residence
- Current unencumbered APRN (CRNA) licensure in state of residence
- BS or MS (preferably in nursing) from accredited program
- Earned master's degree other than MSN may be considered
- Cumulative 3.0 Graduate GPA
- Nursing Graduate Admissions Selection Committee interview
- Statement of past clinical and/or work experiences, scholarly activities, and community service
Rankings and Recognitions
US News & World Report (2018 and 2019)
- #47 (tie) in Best Online Graduate Nursing Programs
- #152 (tie) in National Universities
- #259 (tie) in Best Online Bachelor's Programs
- #88 (tie) in Nursing-Anesthesia
- #199 (tie) in Best Nursing Schools: Master's
- #143 in Best Nursing Schools: Doctor of Nursing Practice
NICHE (2019)
- Best Christian Colleges in America #28
- Best Colleges for Nursing in America #37
- Most Conservative Colleges in America #38
- Safest College Campuses in America #41
- Best Small Colleges in America #82
- Best College Campuses in America #112
- Top Private Universities in America #155
- Best Colleges in America #236
- Best Value Colleges in America #442
- Most Diverse Colleges in America #955
- Best College Dorms in Tennessee #1
- Safest College Campuses in Tennessee #1
- Best Colleges for Nursing in Tennessee #1
- Most Conservative Colleges in Tennessee #2
- Best Small Colleges in Tennessee #3
- Best Christian Colleges in Tennessee #3
- Best Colleges in Tennessee #4
- Best College Campuses in Tennessee #4
- Top Private Universities in Tennessee #4
- Best Value Colleges in Tennessee #5
- Colleges with the Best Academics in Tennessee #5
- Most Diverse Colleges in Tennessee #14
Forbes (2018)
- #440 Top Colleges
- #292 in Private Colleges
- #184 in Research Universities
- #89 in the South
Union is ranked #1 on the list of 25 Best Christian Colleges and Universities in the South by ChristianUniversitiesOnline.org (2017).
The Princeton Review ranked Union among the top schools in the Southeast (2017).
Union has been recognized in the top tier of Southern liberal arts colleges by US News & World Report.
Union University is ranked #32 on College Factual's Best Colleges for the Money in Tennessee (2018).
Kiplinger ranked Union University #67 Best College Values (2017).
Accreditation
The School of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
The Nurse Anesthesia track is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA).
Union University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Edited by sirI
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