Cumberland University Nursing School Review

Cumberland University (CU), founded in 1842, is 30 miles east of Nashville in the state of Tennessee. Almost 1500 students enroll each semester, and the majority of them are under the age of 24. The student to faculty ratio is 16 to 1.

While most programs are still taught traditionally, Cumberland University has a number of online-only courses of study available for students.

Nursing Programs

The Jeanette Rudy School of Nursing is located at University Medical Center on the McFarland Specialty Campus.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

The traditional BSN program is for students who are just entering the field of nursing. This program requires the student to complete 125 credit hours over the course of eight semesters.

Students must enter Cumberland University and declare their intent to major in nursing, but will not apply for the program until their sophomore year. Until then, they will take the pre-nursing coursework of Intro to Nursing, Microbiology, Anatomy and Physiology, and Math, and must maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher, with no single grade below a C. They must also take the HESI Nurse Assessment Test.

Graduates of the program will be eligible to take the licensure exam (NCLEX-RN) for Registered Nurses (RNs). The nursing program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission (NLNAC).

BSN Completion

This program was designed to help students with a Diploma or Associate Degree in Nursing continue their education and earn a BSN. Students that have graduated from an accredited two year program and that currently hold an RN license in Tennessee will be eligible to receive up to 40 credit hours from their prior nursing education.

Students must complete all nursing core courses with a minimum grade of C.

BSN as a Second Degree

Students who already hold a bachelor’s degree in another field of study who want to enter the nursing profession can take this program. Students will receive credit for General Education Core requirements, but may need to take specific pre-nursing courses as necessary. They will also have to complete at least 25% of their BSN major courses at Cumberland University in order to receive a degree.

Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) to BSN

This program is open to graduates of state approved LPN programs. To apply, students must hold a current LPN license and be accepted into the University. After taking the pre-nursing coursework listed above, students with at least a 3.0 GPA may apply to the nursing program.

LPNs will receive credit toward the program for prior education and nursing experience, after taking standardized and skills tests.

RN to BSN Online

This intensive program is designed for working nurses to be able to complete their BSN. Students must have at least a Diploma or Associate Degree in Nursing. This program has no clinical coursework. Instead, students will use their work environment and community to complete course projects.

The program is three semesters long and is designed to be completed in one year.

Volunteer State Community College/Cumberland Partnership

Cumberland University has a partnership with VSCC for students in the Associate of Science degree in Pre-Nursing. This allows students to transfer to Cumberland University and complete their BSN degree, while transferring all credits from VSCC.

Students at VSCC apply for the program at the beginning of their sophomore year. Ten students will be selected each semester for conditional admittance into the program, pending confirmation of graduation from VSCC.

Contact:
Cumberland University
1 Cumberland Square
Lebanon, TN 37087