major in nursing
Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing
BSN Program Overview
With a bachelor’s degree in nursing, gain the knowledge required for clinical, nursing practice, and leadership roles through laboratory exercises, simulations, lecture courses, and clinical rotations.
Department:
Department of Nursing
Department chair name:
Chris White
B.S., B.S.N., R.N., M.S.N., Ed.D.
Program Coordinator:
Chris White
B.S., B.S.N., R.N., M.S.N., Ed.D.
Learning at FHU
Why study nursing at FHU?
At Freed-Hardeman University, we provide an exceptional Bachelor of Science in Nursing program that prepares nursing students for their NCLEX-RN licensing exam with interactive classes and specialized clinical experiences.
Program Highlights:
- A faculty of practicing nurses and qualified instructors
- Hands-on experience with critical-care patients
- Campus lab opportunities
- Small student-to-teacher ratios
- Gain the confidence and competence for a demanding workplace
- Additional certification opportunities are available
Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing Four-Year Plans
A Bachelor of Science in Nursing 4-Year program is needed for a nursing career. It’s essential to note that collegiate nursing education and courses must be taken in a particular order, with lectures, independent learning, and clinical experiences within the community.
It’s necessary to earn a “C” or better in every nursing course to proceed to the next semester of the nursing program.
2024-2025 4-Year Plan(s)
2023-2024 4-Year Plan(s)
2022-2023 4-Year Plan(s)
2021-2022 4-Year Plan(s)
Careers for Nursing Majors
FHU students are employed as registered nurses in a variety of settings. Some have also pursued graduate degrees to achieve licensing as Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists or as Advanced Nurse Practitioners.
- Neonatal ICU
- Pediatrics
- Women’s Health/Labor and Delivery
- Cardiac Care
- Mental Health Facilities
- Physicians’ Clinics
- Certified Lactation Consultant
- Federal Emergency
- Disaster Preparedness
Nursing Degree Requirements
Students begin their careers at FHU as prenursing majors and are eligible for admission to the nursing program upon completion of the required courses:
I. Liberal Arts Core Requirements
(Listed in this catalog under Academics: “General Education Display”.)
Limit II. C. Quantitative Reasoning to MAT101 College Algebra
Limit III. B. 1. Biology to BIO 211 Human Anatomy and Physiology I
II. Professional Support Courses - 17 hours
| BIO 212 | Human Anatomy and Physiology II and Lab | 4 |
| BIO 215 | Microbiology | 4 |
| BIO 318 | Pathophysiology | 3 |
| HEA 121 | Principles of Nutrition | 3 |
| MAT 235 | Introductory Statistics | 3 |
III. Professional Nursing Courses - 54 hours
Must be accepted into the Nursing program* to take the following:
| NSG 300 | Essentials of Medication Administration and Dosage Calculation | 1 |
| NSG 301 | Fundamentals of Nursing | 4 |
| NSG 303 | Basic Nursing Care | 2 |
| NSG 315 | Health Assessment | 2 |
| NSG 315L | Health Assessment Lab | 1 |
| NSG 325 | Pharmacology I | 2 |
| NSG 326 | Pharmacology II | 2 |
| NSG 332 | Pediatric Nursing | 3 |
| NSG 332L | Pediatric Practicum | 1 |
| NSG 334 | Mental Health Nursing (W) | 3 |
| NSG 334L | Mental Health Practicum | 1 |
| NSG 365 | Introduction to Evidence-Based Practice | 3 |
| NSG 431 | Women’s Health | 3 |
| NSG 431L | Women and Newborn Practicum | 1 |
| NSG 432 | Faith-Based Community Nursing | 3 |
| NSG 432L | Community Practicum | 1 |
| NSG 440 | Adult Nursing I | 4 |
| NSG 440L | Adult Practicum I | 3 |
| NSG 441 | Adult Nursing II | 4 |
| NSG 441L | Adult Practicum II | 3 |
| NSG 455 | Professional Issues (W) | 2 |
| NSG 470 | Leadership Management Nursing | 3 |
| NSG 470L | Nursing Management Practicum | 1 |
| NSG 485 | Nursing Capstone | 1 |
| *To be accepted into the Nursing Program a student must have a cumulative GPA of 2.8, the science GPA must be 2.5 or greater, a TEAS score of proficient or higher and science score of 52.1% or greater, and less than 12 hours of liberal arts core classes remaining plus Bible and no more than one science course repeated with a grade of at least a “C.” |
IV. Recommended Electives - 4 hours
Choose a minimum of four hours from the following courses
| BIO 115 | Medical Terminology | 2 |
| NSG 299/399 | Special Topics in Nursing | 3 |
| HEA 316 | Substance Abuse Education | 3 |
| NSG 310 | Aging and Care for the Older Adult | 3 |
| PSY 218 | Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 310 | Developmental Psychology | 3 |
V. Additional Bible - 16 hours
Our Strategic Objectives
- to be recognized as a Christ-centered, student-focused community of learners committed to academic excellence, lifelong learning, professionalism, and service to others.
- to provide holistic care to individuals, groups, and communities in need
- to provide graduates with a foundation of Christian values on which nursing knowledge, skills, and attitudes are learned
Accreditation
The baccalaureate degree in nursing at Freed-Hardeman University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
Meet Our Faculty
Christopher White
Associate Professor and Department Chair of Nursing
Student Nurse Handbook and Important Nursing Links
The Student Nurse Handbook provides guidelines to current nursing students, including program and student outcomes, department policies and procedures, graduation requirements, and other items related to the nursing program.
Frequently Asked Questions About Our Nursing Program
Below are answers to questions prospective students often have when considering a major in Nursing. If you have additional questions or need more information, please contact [email protected] and we will happily answer questions and provide additional details about our program.
Why should I get a bachelor’s degree in Nursing at FHU?
A bachelor’s degree in nursing from Freed-Hardeman University (FHU) is an excellent choice for aspiring nurses. Not only will you gain advanced nursing education used in the medical field, but you’ll also benefit from a range of specialized resources and faculty that will prepare you for success in your career.
First and foremost, FHU offers a comprehensive curriculum designed to develop knowledge and skills among its students. With courses such as Human Anatomy & Physiology I and II, Pathophysiology, Introductory Statistics, College Algebra, and Microbiology at the core of their degree program, prospective nurses can be confident that they are acquiring the necessary educational foundation to excel as members of the healthcare workforce. The advantage here lies in getting all this training while still being able to attend clinical rotations.
In addition to creating an invaluable learning experience through quality instruction provided by experienced faculty members who have real-world experience working with patients in acclaimed care settings across Tennessee, FHU also delivers hands-on training opportunities through simulation labs where students can learn about managing critical care patients by practice simulations before entering a position requiring it on their own merits.
Offering a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Freed-Hardeman seeks to equip nursing majors for their NCLEX-RN licensing exam through interactive classes and specialized clinical experiences. Faculty share relevant expertise and theoretical knowledge as both practicing nurses and qualified instructors. Some other degree programs also have ties to critical care and emergency nursing, allowing students more hands-on experience with critical-care patients than many of their peers.
Nursing majors acquire nearly 650 hours of hands-on experience through direct patient care experiences and campus lab learning opportunities. Small student-to-teacher ratios allow students more time to provide care than simply observing the procedures. As a result, nursing graduates can immediately step confidently and competently into demanding workplace environments.
FHU seeks to offer additional certification opportunities that distinguish its graduates from other job applicants. Recent options include training to become a Certified Lactation Consultant in Federal Emergency and Disaster Preparedness.
What is the curriculum for the nursing program at FHU?
The Department of Nursing offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing curriculum divided into two sections. The first section comprises general education content derived from the natural sciences, behavioral sciences, liberal arts, humanities, and Bible. The second section consists of nursing courses with content from the major BSN program areas: concepts of a professional nursing practice, nursing skills for healthcare professionals, care of adults, children, maternity patients, and the mentally and physically ill. Nursing care of all age groups, health promotion and maintenance, prevention, and detection of illness, and restoration of health are included. Clinical, simulation, and skills labs are included. Any student interested in nursing should focus on the Bachelor of Science in Nursing 4-Year plan.
BSN program courses involve lectures, independent learning experiences, and clinical experiences within the community. Nursing courses must be taken in sequence. Students must earn a grade of “C” or better in all nursing courses to progress to the next semester of the nursing program.
MISSION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF NURSING
The nursing program at Freed-Hardeman University provides graduates with a foundation of Christian values on which nursing knowledge, skills, and attitudes are learned to provide holistic care to individuals, groups, and communities in need and to succeed in the dynamic and challenging discipline of professional nursing.
VISION OF THE BSN PROGRAM
The vision of the FHU Department of Nursing is to be recognized as a Christ-centered, student-focused community of learners committed to academic excellence, lifelong learning, professionalism, and service to others.
AT FHU, WE VALUE THE FOLLOWING:
- Compassion and caring in the healing ministry of nursing
- Christian stewardship in using resources wisely
- Lifelong learning to promote excellence and growth
- Professionalism in ethical decision making
- Collaboration with others to manage challenging situations effectively
- Integrity in aligning beliefs, words, and actions
- Respect for the diversity of individuals, families, groups, and communities
- Service to others with sensitivity, kindness, and humility.
If you’re ready to embark on your nursing career, contact FHU to get started. The University offers many resources for a successful start to your journey, including online and classroom instruction, prepared instructors, and clinical expertise that allows students more hands-on experience with critical care patients than many of their peers. At FHU, you will receive the knowledge and skills needed to excel in the nursing profession and make a difference at any healthcare institution.
What are the admission requirements for the nursing program at FHU?
The curriculum for the BSN program at Freed-Hardeman University (FHU) is designed to equip students with the clinical, academic, and professional skills needed in today’s healthcare environment. Students begin their careers at FHU as prenursing majors and are eligible for admission to the BSN program upon completion of the following requirements:
- Cumulative GPA of 2.8 on a 4.0 scale
- Science GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
- A “C” or better in all science courses, with no science course repeated more than once TEAS score of proficient or higher and a science score of 52.1% or higher
Completion of the following prerequisite courses :
- ENG 101 English Composition 1
- ENG 102 English Composition 2
- BIO 211 Human Anatomy & Physiology 1
- BIO 212 Human Anatomy & Physiology 2
- BIO 215 Microbiology
- BIO 318 Pathophysiology
- CHE 121 General Chemistry 1 and CHE 121L General Chemistry Lab
- MAT 101 College Algebra
- MAT 235 Introductory Statistics
- Fewer than 12 hours of general education and eight hours of Bible requirements remaining
If you want to become a nurse, there’s no better time to apply now! Get your application in before April 1 to be considered for the nursing program at FHU. You’ll be the newest member of a cohort of aspiring nurses ready to hone their skills and absorb all the knowledge that nursing coursework offers. If you’re a transfer student, don’t hesitate to contact the Department of Nursing to help you stay on track with your plans. We’re confident you will love this program and the rewarding career that awaits you as a nurse!
With dedicated faculty and staff, Freed-Hardeman University’s nursing degrees help students reach their career goals by providing them with the tools they need to become successful nurses. With hands-on learning opportunities, specialized clinical experience, and a small student-to-teacher ratio, graduates of FHU are well-equipped to excel in the demanding healthcare environment. With the right qualifications, you could be the next successful nurse to come out of FHU. Apply now to get started on your journey and learn more about financial aid and BSN programs!
What type of job can I get after graduating from the nursing program at FHU?
Graduates from the Freed-Hardeman University (FHU) BSN degree have various career options after graduating. Many FHU graduates are employed in settings such as neonatal ICUs, pediatrics departments, women’s health/ labor and delivery units, cardiac care facilities, and mental and health care facilities. Additionally, some graduates pursue graduate degrees to become certified registered nurse anesthetists or advanced nurse practitioners.
Since FHU provides its students with hands-on experience with critical-care patients during their studies, combined with interactive classes and specialized clinical experiences in campus labs with smaller student-teacher ratios, this allows them to gain confidence and competence in the workplace. Furthermore, graduates can obtain additional certification opportunities while continuing their studies, which may give them even more job prospects after graduating.
Finally, those with a bachelor’s degree may have access to positions across different healthcare organizations, including hospitals or nursing homes, depending on where there is the most demand within those specific industries. In addition, nurses may develop skills in management roles due to their vast knowledge obtained through further educational programs that last 2-4 years based on preference which can create opportunities for them to become team leaders or department heads.
More than just successful nursing professionals, FHU graduates are combining their skills and faith to serve the communities around them. Many graduates and current students participate in medical mission campaigns in rural parts of the United States and worldwide, providing healing on both the physical and spiritual levels. Additionally, some students volunteer for local hospice programs, and others offer their expertise to care for children at summer camps.
FHU provides students with the necessary skills and resources to succeed in the healthcare industry. The various career options, along with potential certifications and educational programs available, create a wealth of opportunities for graduates of the FHU baccalaureate degree program.
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