University of Memphis Nursing School Review

The University of Memphis (U of M) was founded as the West Tennessee State Normal School in 1912. The school changed names several times over the years, and finally became University of Memphis in 1994. University of Memphis enrolls over 22,000 students each year, offers over 50 majors and 95 concentrations, and awards over 3000 degrees to students annually.

In addition to the Main Campus and the Park Avenue Campus in Memphis, the University offers a variety of programs at its Lambuth Campus in Jackson, TN, to accommodate students in West Tennessee.

The Loewenberg School of Nursing began in 1967 with an Associate Degree in Nursing program. LSON now offers baccalaureate and graduate degrees.

Nursing Programs

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

Students may enter the University of Memphis and be placed directly into the nursing major as freshmen if they meet the qualifications. This guarantees entrance into the nursing program during the spring semester of their sophomore year, provided they have met the BSN admission requirements and are students in good standing at the University.

The freshman qualifications for entering the nursing program are completion of high school Algebra I and II, Geometry, Biology and Chemistry. Students must also have a minimum ACT score of 21, and a GPA of at least 3.0. They will be ranked based on their high school quality point average and ACT or SAT scores.

Students that don’t meet the freshman entrance qualifications may apply to the program as sophomores.

All students, regardless of whether they were admitted as freshmen or sophomores, must complete the TEAS V test, and have a minimum college GPA of 2.7, with a 2.66 GPA in their science courses. They must also complete the following courses with a grade of C or higher before they may enter the nursing program: English Composition I and II, Anatomy and Physiology I and II, Microbiology, Introductory Sociology or General Psychology, Nutrition for Healthcare, and a Math elective.

Students that successfully complete this program will earn their BSN degree and will be allowed to sit for the Registered Nurse (RN) licensing exam (NCLEX).

Accelerated Second Degree BSN Option

This program is for students who already have a baccalaureate degree in a field other than nursing. They must meet the same requirements for the BSN degree listed above.

Once they are accepted into the program, students will start in the fall semester and continue through the following fall semester, for a total of 16 months. This program is only available at the Main Campus in Memphis.

RN to BSN

This program is available to nurses who already hold a valid RN license. Students currently enrolled in an Associate Degree in Nursing program at a school with an articulation agreement with the University of Memphis may also apply. This is an online program, and students will complete their clinical work at a location near their home.

To be eligible to apply, students must complete the TEAS V test, and have a minimum college GPA of 2.7, with a 2.66 GPA in their science courses. They must also complete the prerequisite classes listed above for the BSN degree, plus Humanities or Fine Arts electives, History, and Statistics.

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Students interested in the MSN program must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited school, and hold an RN license. They must also have a GPA of at least 2.8, have letters of recommendation, and complete an interview to be able to apply.

The MSN program has concentrations available in Nursing Education, Nursing Administration, Nursing Informatics, and Advanced Practice Nursing (Family Nurse Practitioner).

There is also a Family Nurse Practitioner Post Master’s Certificate program, and a Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Informatics Leadership.

Executive MSN

This unique master’s program is the first of its kind in the nation. The students in this program come from a wide range of professional backgrounds, from staff nurses to chief nursing officers. This program’s curriculum is based on principles such as the 14 Forces of Magnetism, the Robert Wood Johnson Executive Nurse Fellows Program, and the American Organization of Nurse Executive Competencies.

Admission to the Executive MSN program is competitive. Students must have a baccalaureate degree in nursing, or take 4 bridge courses if their baccalaureate is in another field. They must also have a minimum GPA of 2.8, a letter of interest detailing their professional experience, career goals, and reasons for pursuing graduate studies, a resume, recommendations, and have an interview if requested.

RN to MSN

This program is open to RNs that have a baccalaureate that is not a nursing degree. They will have to complete 15 credit hours of bridge courses before they may begin their MSN studies. All other application criteria are the same.

MSN-Regents Online Degree Program (RODP)

This is a program offered through the University of Memphis and the Tennessee Board of Regents to allow students to earn their MSN degree online.

To apply, students must have a current RN license, a minimum GPA of 3.0, a Bachelors degree, letters of recommendation, and a written statement including their resume, their professional experience, career goals, and reason for pursuing a graduate degree.

Students will apply to the RODP and the University of Memphis.

Contact:
University of Memphis
101 Wilder Tower,
Memphis TN 38152-3520