About Us
Southern Adventist University's School of Nursing is located in Collegedale, Tennessee
and housed in AdventHealth Hall, a beautiful state-of-the-art center for nursing education.
The space includes well-equipped classrooms, high-tech skills and assessment labs,
Simulation labs with high-fidelity simulators, and a 68-computer station Learning
Resource Center. Overarching all programs within Southern Adventist University is
the intentional integration of Christianity into learning experiences and the support
services offered to our diverse student body.
In keeping with national trends, increasing numbers of students are making nursing their career choice. Additionally, a greater number of nurses are choosing to advance their career options by earning a graduate degree. The School of Nursing seeks to keep pace with these demands and offers the following degree programs: AS, BSN, RN to BSN, MSN, Post-Master's Certificates, RN to MSN, DNP, BSN to DNP, and DNP Specialist Certificates. There is an LPN bridge into both AS and BSN programs.
A 21st-century curriculum, computerized testing, clinical simulation experiences, tutorial assistance with the ASAP (assisting students to achieve professionally) program, well-qualified faculty, and clinical experiences at numerous agencies in the greater Chattanooga area are just some of the reasons why the School of Nursing continues to thrive.
In keeping with national trends, increasing numbers of students are making nursing their career choice. Additionally, a greater number of nurses are choosing to advance their career options by earning a graduate degree. The School of Nursing seeks to keep pace with these demands and offers the following degree programs: AS, BSN, RN to BSN, MSN, Post-Master's Certificates, RN to MSN, DNP, BSN to DNP, and DNP Specialist Certificates. There is an LPN bridge into both AS and BSN programs.
A 21st-century curriculum, computerized testing, clinical simulation experiences, tutorial assistance with the ASAP (assisting students to achieve professionally) program, well-qualified faculty, and clinical experiences at numerous agencies in the greater Chattanooga area are just some of the reasons why the School of Nursing continues to thrive.
Mission Statement
The School of Nursing provides a Christian learning environment that nurtures a culture of integrity and academic excellence, and prepares caring, competent professionals to serve the diverse healthcare needs of individuals, families, and communities within a global context.
Accreditation
The School of Nursing program at Southern Adventist University located in Collegedale, Tennessee is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. (ACEN), 3390 Peachtree Road, NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30326, (404)975-5000.
The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the programs listed below is Continuing Accreditation:
*AS Program
*BSN Program
*MSN Program
*Post-Master's Certificate
*DNP Program
*DNP Specialist Certificate
View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding these programs at http://www.acenursing.us/accreditedprograms/programSearch.htm.
All School of Nursing programs are approved by the Tennessee Board of Nursing, 665 Mainstream Drive, Nashville, TN 37243 615.532.9223. (AS program, conditional approval, 2022). Tennessee Board of Nursing Complaints Website.
Outcome Data
Student achievement information is important to share with our stakeholders. These data are quality indicators reflecting our programs' high standards.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rates. The first-time pass rate for pre-licensure nursing graduates for 2023 was:
The nursing program at Southern Junior College began in 1934 with a pre-nursing curriculum that qualified students to continue a diploma program in nursing at Florida Sanitarium and Hospital.
Florida Hospital phased out the RN diploma program in 1956, and Southern Missionary College (as it was now a four-year college) began the baccalaureate program in nursing with Ms. Mazie Herin as its first chair. The program received its initial Bachelor of Science National League of Nursing (NLN) accreditation in 1962. The first class to receive the Bachelor of Science in nursing graduated in 1960.
The associate of science in the nursing program began in 1965. NLN accreditation and the first graduation occurred in 1967.
In 1975, the associate and baccalaureate nursing departments combined into one division of nursing offering the articulated associate to baccalaureate degree. University status resulted in becoming a school of nursing and adding a graduate nursing program in 1999. The first master’s graduate received her degree in 2002. The DNP program was added in 2012, with full accreditation received in the summer of 2014. The first six graduates of the program received their Doctorate of Nursing Practice degree in May 2014.
Dean's Message
The School of Nursing at Southern has been educating caring Christian nurses since the first class of baccalaureate students was admitted to the Collegedale campus in 1956. Following those first graduates of 1960, more than 4,300 Southern nursing alumni have served or are currently serving in numerous capacities around the globe. We have full accreditation through the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.
Nursing in the 21st century retains the same core values as in the past. It is a blend of art and science that requires not only a full requisite of scientific clinical knowledge and skills, but a caring attitude with the willingness to serve others.
Our current nursing majors, over 800 in number, are a passionate, energetic, and integral part of the student body at Southern Adventist University. Our facilities are designed to facilitate maximum learning experiences. More importantly, our dedicated faculty and staff seek to provide a positive, nurturing environment and transmit values that exemplify the tradition of excellence in Christian nursing education.
Holly Gadd, Dean
School of Nursing
The School of Nursing provides a Christian learning environment that nurtures a culture of integrity and academic excellence, and prepares caring, competent professionals to serve the diverse healthcare needs of individuals, families, and communities within a global context.
Accreditation
The School of Nursing program at Southern Adventist University located in Collegedale, Tennessee is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. (ACEN), 3390 Peachtree Road, NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30326, (404)975-5000.
The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the programs listed below is Continuing Accreditation:
*AS Program
*BSN Program
*MSN Program
*Post-Master's Certificate
*DNP Program
*DNP Specialist Certificate
View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding these programs at http://www.acenursing.us/accreditedprograms/programSearch.htm.
All School of Nursing programs are approved by the Tennessee Board of Nursing, 665 Mainstream Drive, Nashville, TN 37243 615.532.9223. (AS program, conditional approval, 2022). Tennessee Board of Nursing Complaints Website.
Outcome Data
Student achievement information is important to share with our stakeholders. These data are quality indicators reflecting our programs' high standards.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rates. The first-time pass rate for pre-licensure nursing graduates for 2023 was:
- AS program - 95.5% (December 2023 and May 2024 AS cohorts -- 100%)
- BSN program - 87.1% (May 2024 BSN cohort -- 100%)
- Acute Care - Adult/Gerontology NP (2023) -- 2/2 = 100%
- Primary Care - Adult/Gerontology NP (2023) -- no graduates. (2014-2021) -- 9/10 = 90%
- Primary Care - Family NP (2023) -- 18/21 = 85.7%
- Primary Care - Psychiatric/Mental Health NP (2023) -- 9/9 = 100%
- AS (aggregate) = 54%
- BSN (aggregate) = 81.8%
- MSN/post-master's certificates (aggregate) = 42.85%
- DNP/DNP specialist certificates (aggregate) = 36.36%
The nursing program at Southern Junior College began in 1934 with a pre-nursing curriculum that qualified students to continue a diploma program in nursing at Florida Sanitarium and Hospital.
Florida Hospital phased out the RN diploma program in 1956, and Southern Missionary College (as it was now a four-year college) began the baccalaureate program in nursing with Ms. Mazie Herin as its first chair. The program received its initial Bachelor of Science National League of Nursing (NLN) accreditation in 1962. The first class to receive the Bachelor of Science in nursing graduated in 1960.
The associate of science in the nursing program began in 1965. NLN accreditation and the first graduation occurred in 1967.
In 1975, the associate and baccalaureate nursing departments combined into one division of nursing offering the articulated associate to baccalaureate degree. University status resulted in becoming a school of nursing and adding a graduate nursing program in 1999. The first master’s graduate received her degree in 2002. The DNP program was added in 2012, with full accreditation received in the summer of 2014. The first six graduates of the program received their Doctorate of Nursing Practice degree in May 2014.
Dean's Message
The School of Nursing at Southern has been educating caring Christian nurses since the first class of baccalaureate students was admitted to the Collegedale campus in 1956. Following those first graduates of 1960, more than 4,300 Southern nursing alumni have served or are currently serving in numerous capacities around the globe. We have full accreditation through the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.
Nursing in the 21st century retains the same core values as in the past. It is a blend of art and science that requires not only a full requisite of scientific clinical knowledge and skills, but a caring attitude with the willingness to serve others.
Our current nursing majors, over 800 in number, are a passionate, energetic, and integral part of the student body at Southern Adventist University. Our facilities are designed to facilitate maximum learning experiences. More importantly, our dedicated faculty and staff seek to provide a positive, nurturing environment and transmit values that exemplify the tradition of excellence in Christian nursing education.
Holly Gadd, Dean
School of Nursing
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