History
The nursing program at MTSU began in 1966 as a two year associate degree program. A total of 799 students graduated from the associate degree program with the last graduating class in 1990. The present four year BSN program enrolled students in the first junior year nursing class in the Fall 1988. The first class of 23 students graduated in May, 1990.

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  Mission

The Middle Tennessee State University School of Nursing educates individuals to function as professional nurses competent to meet the health care needs of individuals and groups acrossthe life span and to adapt to future trends in health care. Through the baccalaureate nursing program, the University demonstrates its commitment to the preparation of practitioners who assume professional level nursing roles in the delivery of health care. The School of Nursing seeks to assure the highest quality nursing education possible. Nursing faculty accept teaching as their primary responsibility but recognize that community service, practice, research and scholarly productivity are also integral parts of the faculty role.

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Philosophy

The Middle Tennessee State University School of Nursing has established an operating framework with five core competencies at the foundation. These are communication, critical thinking, personal and professional relationships, the nursing process, and leadership. From this base, additional concepts emerge to provide interaction with persons, the environment, health, professional nursing and nursing education.

Communication includes all interaction, verbal and nonverbal, that occurs with an individual or the environment. Because communication is a complex process, education and experience contribute to expanding an individual's ability in this competence. Good communication involves receiving as well as sending messages. It is essential in order for any of the other competencies to be useful.

Critical thinking encompasses all forms of analysis, creativity and reasoning. It is essential for good decision-making. Although it involves some basic intuitive ability, critical thinking skills can be taught. Since critical thinking can be taught, opportunities for practice and improvement are available in a variety of settings. This skill is a cornerstone without which the other core competencies would remain at a dangerously superficial level.

Personal and professional relationships are important factors in the operating framework because they are the context in which the other competencies interact. Through the process of socialization, students learn the professional role in formal and informal ways. Experiences can increase abilities to interact with a large variety of individuals, thus enhancing relationship skills. Competency in interpersonal relationships is crucial for successful goal attainment.

Leadership is a dynamic process that includes technical skills in combination with the art of nursing. Effective leaders demonstrate all other core competencies as they guide others in the professional role. Adaptation to future trends in the healthcare system is possible through skills in management that allow for control of both material and human resources. The baccalaureate graduate is prepared to assume positions that require this important core competency.

The nursing process is the vehicle that connects and applies all other competencies. It is the professions' method of problem solving and allows for consistent, creative and skillful care. Through the nursing process, a team of concerned professionals meets individuals' needs for health and well-being.

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  Goals & Outcomes

Develop professional knowledge and skills necessary to design, coordinate, and lead within the healthcare system.

Utilize the nursing process as a foundation for nursing practice.

Communicate in a variety of media's to facilitate the exchange of ideas, knowledge, and information.

Employ critical thinking abilities for personal and professional development and nursing practice refinement.

Exhibit personal and professional development responsive to changes in nursing, health care, and society.

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  Self-Study Reports

 Click here to view the Self Study Report for The National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission

 Click here to view the Self-study Report for the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

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  Memberships & Collaborating Organizations

National League for Nursing
Tennessee Board of Regents
American Association of Colleges of Nursing
Sigma Theta Tau International
 Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education

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  Support the School of Nursing

Click here to make a tax-deductible gift to support the MTSU School of Nursing

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