Division of Nursing

Return to: Academic Programs

Division Chair

Dr. Tomekia Luckett, Dean of Nursing and Associate Professor of Nursing

Faculty

Dr. JoAnn Brown, Assistant Professor of Nursing

Nancy Gremillion, Assistant Professor of Nursing

Linda Stringfield, Assistant Professor of Nursing

Adjunct Faculty

Katherine Carter, Dana Guirlando, Kelly Lanigan, Melissa Lowe, Matt Scalfano, Frances Luann Trahant

The Division of Nursing, as an integral part of Louisiana Christian University, is in concert with its mission and purpose. The primary purpose of Louisiana Christian University is to be a community of learning and free inquiry, which provides a basis for approaching knowledge and truth. A thorough and honest academic program from a Christian perspective stimulates both faculty and students to share content and to develop and apply their personal faith.

The mission of the Division of Nursing is to offer courses of professional study from a Christian perspective that build upon the liberal arts to prepare safe, competent generalist nurses who will collaborate with members of the healthcare team to provide holistic, evidence-based, patient centered care. (Essentials 1, 5, 9)

The professional nursing programs are built upon a foundation of education consistent with beliefs about person, environment, health, and nursing, and includes the process of teaching-learning within nursing education that is supportive of these beliefs. Students acquire a liberal arts foundation in the humanities, natural sciences, Christian studies, and social sciences directed at individual and personal growth. This foundation is essential as it strengthens the depth and breadth of its development.

With the exception of one pre-nursing course, nursing courses are at the upper division level and consist of both theoretical content and clinical nursing practice. The theoretical component of the nursing curricula incorporates theories and principles from the related sciences and content unique to nursing. The practical component of the nursing curricula incorporates complex problem solving, change agent activities and the application of skills for the improvement of individual, family and community healthcare improvements.

The purpose of the Division of Nursing is; (1) to educate professional nurses from a Christian perspective and within a caring environment, (2) to prepare a nurse generalist to assume nursing positions in a variety of health care settings, and (3) to prepare the professional nurse for graduate and continuing education.

Program Outcomes

1. Assimilate concepts from a variety of nursing and non-nursing theory; including Maslow, developmental, education, communication and leadership theories as a nursing practice framework to provide healthcare for patients across the lifespan and wellness to illness continuum. (Essentials 1, 6, 7, & 9)
2. Incorporate Christian Values in order to provide healthcare that fosters respect for cultural, ethnic, gender, and religious diversity, and facilitates ethical choices in nursing practice. (Essentials 1, 2, 5, 7, 8, & 9)
3. Coordinate care in collaboration with the healthcare team that incorporates complex problem solving, influences change, utilizes evidenced-based practice to provide that will result in achievement of goals for improving individual, family and community healthcare outcomes. (Essentials 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, & 9)
4. Promote and instill the need for life-long learning in the areas of evidenced based practice, healthcare policy, informatics and leadership through continuing education, graduate education and scholarship. (Essentials 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, & 8)
5. Integrate legal and ethical principles in providing professional nursing care across the life-span to diverse populations. (Essentials 1, 5, 7, 8, 9,)

Admission, Progression, and Graduation Policies 

Admissions Policies

The Louisiana Christian University Division of Nursing accepts applications for admission from students of accredited secondary schools and students transferring from accredited colleges without regard to race, sex, color, handicap, age, creed or national origin.

Students must apply to Louisiana Christian University; however, admission to Louisiana Christian University does NOT constitute admission to the upper division nursing courses. In addition to meeting general university admission requirements, admission to the BSN clinical nursing program (for all course routes) consists of the following.

Admission Policies for All Course Routes

1. Students must complete ALL non-nursing prerequisites to be considered for admission to upper Division, unless admitted under prescribed transfer agreement protocols.
2. Application for the admission of current LCU college pre-nursing students into upper division nursing may be obtained from the DON Administrative Assistant in person or by email. The completed application must be submitted to the dean of the DON by the indicated application deadline. 
3. Transfer applicants and accelerated program applicants must apply by the posted due dates through the NursingCAS portal www.nursingcas.org.
4. All verified applications submitted via NursingCAS will be reviewed by the chair and/or dean of the DON.
5. Applicants must:

• Have earned a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.6
• Have earned a score of 65 or better on the Assessment Technologies Institute’s (ATI) Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) exam.
• A maximum of 3 attempts are allowed on the TEAS exam.
• Test completion for all assessments must be within the last calendar year of the date of application.
• A copy of the TEAS test results must be submitted electronically from the testing company directly to LCU DON.

6. All applicants must take the prerequisite introductory nursing course. This course is designed to introduce concepts important to the profession of nursing. Successful completion of the prerequisite introductory nursing course must be within 12 calendar months of commencing upper division courses, but does not guarantee admission to upper division nursing.
7. Students making application to the Division of Nursing must have attained a grade of “C” or better in all social and natural sciences, math courses, EN 101  and EN 102 , HP 222  and pre-nursing courses. Applicants with repeats in more than two of any of these courses will not be considered for admission into upper division of nursing. Applicants with no repeats of lower level courses will be given preference over students who have repeated courses. Applicants with no repeats of lower level courses will be given preference over students who have repeated courses.
8. Applicants to the Division of Nursing are permitted one (1) nursing course repeat from any institution. Students with more than one failed or repeated nursing course will not be considered for selection into upper division nursing. Transfer applicants with one failed nursing course must provide a letter of good standing from their current program as part of their application packet.
9. When applicants for the traditional BSN program exceed the number of openings in the upper division nursing program, selection will be competitive based on the highest cumulative grade point average, number of prerequisite hours taken at Louisiana Christian University, and admission assessment score.
10. In addition to Louisiana Christian University’s English proficiency requirements, all applicants to the Divison of Nursing whose first language is not English (including international and/or U.S. residents) must meet additional requirements through an online TOEFL IBT score of 83 combined (6.5 IELTS banding). For the paper-based TOEFL, a score of 550 is require, 213 or better on the computer-based TOEFL, or 83 overall.
11. All offers for admission into upper division nursing are conditional until in-process credit transcript and health requirements, Louisiana State Board of Nursing clearances, and other health and background checks are given full approval.
12. In the conditional letter of acceptance, the DON attempts to identify any application deficiencies (courses, transcripts, etc.). This is a courtesy and the student is ultimately responsible for insuring that all deficiencies are rectified. This includes, but is not limited to, successful completion of prerequisite courses and submission of official transcripts to the Registrar’s office of any courses that were in progress at the time the conditional acceptance was offered.
13. The DON review of transcripts is official.
14. After admission to upper division nursing, applicants must submit to the Health Services office:

•  A completed health history form (to be sent with admission packet) indicating satisfactory physical examination report and the ability to physically, emotionally, and psychologically perform the duties of a registered nurse.  
• The negative result of a laboratory test for RPR (or proof of treatment).
• Documentation of required immunizations, rubella titers, tuberculosis screening and Hepatitis B vaccine series.
• After completing the Hepatitis B series, titer results must be submitted to the Health Service office.

15. Randomized drug screenings will be a part of the routine oversight that will be monitored during the clinical portion of the nursing program.
16. Students not complying with the Health Services office or keeping their record in full compliance will not be permitted to attend clinical experiences. Clinical experiences missed due to non-compliance with these requirements will be marked as unsatisfactory.
17. Liability insurance must be purchased from the business office during registration.
18. All documentation must be submitted to the Health Services office by July 1^st (fall semester) or a minimum of four weeks prior to the first class day for other semesters if the student wants to be eligible to commence clinical rotations during the upcoming semester. The cutoff date(s) for all documentation will be posted each semester.
19. Nursing students must provide proof of health insurance coverage. Current subscription information and evidence of membership must be provided each semester to the Division of Nursing office. Students are encouraged to access Information that is provided through insurance providers such as Blue Cross and Blue Shield, or others. Students are permitted to submit documentation of credentialing with the state hospital system for health care provision, but must also have a “catastrophic” plan for coverage while attending clinical (usually have a high deductible with a low premium). 
20. Students who have been dismissed from and/or denied progression in other nursing programs may not be considered for admission into upper division nursing. Students who have failed a nursing course in another program will be evaluated on an individual basis.
21. Louisiana Christian University may grant admission to students considered at-risk provided there are seats available in the current admission cycle. At-risk students must meet program policies and graduation requirements for progression.
22. Division of Nursing students are accorded the opportunity to become credentialed with selected community agency partners (e.g., Red Cross as a volunteer; American Heart for CPR) during designated parts of the nursing program. Students are expected to achieve the competencies set and comply with agency criteria. Students entering upper division do need to have an up-to-date American Heart Health Care Provider (BLS) CPR certification that remains current throughout the entire program.
23. Students are personally responsible for transportation to and from clinical agencies.
24. Students are required to carefully read and sign that they will remain in active compliance with all of the elements specified in the Division of Nursing Student Handbook. An updated copy of the Student Handbook  is made available to all DON students every fall semester and to all incoming transfer students. All matters pertaining to professional dress, hygiene, jewelry, time keeping, confidentiality, tattoos, deportment, schedule management, etc., are addressed in the Handbook.
25. Students are expected to conform to the “Code of Student Conduct” as stated in the Louisiana Christian University Student Handbook.

Progression Policies (for all course routes)

1. Students are required to carefully read and sign each fall semester that they remain in active compliance with all of the elements specified in the Division of Nursing Student Handbook. Professional standards require that all nursing students must remain in compliance with the rules and regulations pertaining to professional conduct outlined by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing.
2. Students are expected to conform to the Code of Student Conduct as stated in the Louisiana Christian University Student Handbook.
3. A minimum grade of “C” in each nursing course is required.
4. Students must pass the theory and clinical components of a clinical nursing course to progress. Students will NOT be allowed to take any subsequent clinical course without successfully completing all previously undertaken clinical courses.
5. Failure of a clinical course halts student progression. A student with only one clinical failure will be allowed to take the course the next time it is offered if there are sufficient spaces remaining in the course. Students who have not failed a course are given preference for available spaces.
6. ABSN students who fail a course fall back into the traditional program track.
7. Failure of two clinical nursing courses results in dismissal from the nursing program. This includes failure of the same clinical nursing course twice or two different nursing courses.
8. Students admitted with a clinical nursing failure from another nursing program who fail a clinical course a LCU may not continue in the program.
9. Students who do not progress due to failing two clinical courses may reapply to the program in three (3) years. Admission is not guaranteed. When accepted, these students must retake the prerequisite introductory nursing upper division nursing courses.
10. Applicants seeking readmission will be considered on an individual basis. No student is guaranteed readmission into upper division nursing.
11. All nursing courses must be taken in the sequence listed in the curricular template(s), or as specified in the prescribed course route.
12. Students must complete all required standardized testing at the specified times. The standardized testing policies will be outlined in the appropriate course syllabi.
13. Students who drop/withdraw from/fail a nursing course with a grade of “D” or “F” must submit a request for readmission to the nursing program. This application must be submitted to the program coordinator or dean.
14. The Health Services office and the DON will try to remind students of annual updates (such as TB screening); however, the ultimate responsibility rests with the student. Students who fail to comply with annual updates will not be allowed to attend clinical. All clinical missed due to non-compliance will result in an unsatisfactory for the clinical day. Two clinical grades of unsatisfactory in a clinical result in failure of the clinical and, thus, the course.
15. Any student, admitted to upper division courses in the BSN program, whose GPA drops below a 2.6 will be considered to be on academic probation.
16. Any student who is on probation (below a 2.6 GPA) in senior year is recommended to commence an approved NCLEX review package purchased from a review company prior to taking the end of program comprehensive examination.
17. There is an expectation that students will participate in all the requirements of the BSN/ABSN program. These include, but are not limited to: events sponsored by local health care providers, health fairs, community servie, Louisiana College Student Nurses Association (LACASN) meetings and events, Sigma Theta Tau - Nu Tau Symposia, CE offerings through the DON and other agencies, and other sponsored learning opportunities organized through the DON. These activities are considered to be an essential part of the learning experience of the nursing program and are subject to the usual criteria for class absence.
18.  A student will be permitted to withdraw from a nursing course and be readmitted one time only, subject to standard entry requirements, availability of space and submission of the appropriate re-admission documentation.
19. All LCU nursing students must meet professional competency and safety requirements that are delineated in the Division of Nursing Student Handbook, and the Louisiana Board of Nursing rules and regulations for nurses. The benchmarks for unsafe or unprofessional behavior(s) are measured by clinical objectives that are outlined in the clinical evaluation tool and are explicated in the DON Student Handbook. Students who do not meet these benchmarks will be immediately removed from the patient care environment and suspended from all clinical nursing courses pending a full review by the Division of Nursing faculty. Unsafe and unprofessional behaviors will not be permitted in upper division nursing, and the protocols for the review of clinical issues related to unsafe or unprofessional behavior or clinical practice issues are addressed in the Student Handbook and the Louisiana State Board of Nursing rules and regulations for nurses. However, if remediation goals cannot be attained these students may need to be discontinued from the nursing program and assisted with transfer decisions to another major.
20. Journaling in accordance with Galatians 5:22-23 and Biblical character development are assessed elements throughout the nursing program and are integrated throughout course and clinical content.
21. The nursing pinning ceremony is the culmination of the nursing program and is a required element of the program. The distinctive Division of Nursing pins will be ordered by the student during the final semester. At this time the basic pin costs $65.00.

Graduation Policies (for all program paths)

1. Students must have a > 2.6 GPA to graduate. 
2. Of the last 36 hours, 30 must be taken at LCU.
3. All students must complete and submit a graduation application to the Registrar’s office by the date specified in the LCU calendar.
4. All students must attend the graduation ceremony. A student may miss the graduation ceremony only under extreme circumstances and must request permission in writing from the VPAA.
5. All students must satisfy all financial obligations.

The Division of Nursing reserves the right to make needed changes in curriculum requirements to maintain accreditation.

Programs

• Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Courses

• NU 212 Introduction to Nursing Concepts
• NU 305 Pharmacotherapeutics for Health Professionals
• NU 307 Pathophysiology for the Health Sciences
• NU 309 Transcultural Nursing Care
• NU 310 Fundamentals of Client Care
• NU 311 Medical/Surgical Nursing Care Across the Lifespan I
• NU 313 Finish First
• NU 315 Nursing Physical Assessment
• NU 317 Maternal-Child Nursing
• NU 391 Complementary Healthcare
• NU 399 Student Centered Approaches to Assessment
• NU 400 Health Care Informatics
• NU 402 Medical/Surgical Nursing Care Across the Lifespan II
• NU 409 Research and Evidence-Based Practice
• NU 417 Nursing Care of Patients, Families, and Populations with Mental Health Disorders
• NU 419 Public Health Nursing of Diverse Populations
• NU 424 Medical/Surgical Nursing Care Across the Lifespan III / Capstone
• NU 440 Nursing Leadership/Management
• NU 498 Preparation for BSN Practice

Return to: Academic Programs