Cumberland University

The School of Nursing (SON) faculty believes the B.S.N. degree is the minimum level of educational preparation for professional nurses. The faculty also believes that nursing education should be based in the liberal arts and sciences with the majority of non-nursing education courses placed at the general core level. In keeping with these beliefs, the majority of the School of Nursing course hours are in nursing science. Nursing science courses are constructed to develop the student through the integration of nursing knowledge and knowledge from the humanities and the social and natural sciences.

The faculty of the SON believes that nursing education must be individualized to meet the learning needs of each student. The SON faculty also believes that innovative and flexible means of entering the program should be available. As a result, the SON admits students into the School of Nursing on either a part-time or full-time basis, as fully or provisionally admitted students.

The SON faculty believes the educational concepts; “transfer of learning” and “critical thinking” are more valuable than rote memorization. Because the world of nursing is evolving and rapidly changing, it is important that students learn to transfer knowledge from one situation to another, while making decisions based on critical thinking specific to that situation. The SON provides nursing education that is based in practice, thus giving students an opportunity to transfer theoretical knowledge into clinical learning experiences. Faculty are committed to preparing each student so that they become practicing graduates who contribute to nursing as competent and caring professionals.

Mission

The mission of the Jeanette C. Rudy Nursing Program is to prepare caring and competent graduates who will provide excellent evidence-based nursing care for individuals, families, and communities across the lifespan. Emphasis will be placed on knowledge, skills, attitudes, and experiences that promote clinical reasoning, integrity, and life-long learning.

Our History

Cumberland University’s response to meeting the needs in Middle Tennessee for well-educated and well-prepared nurses began several decades ago.  The BSN nursing program began accepting students in 1992. This was made possible by many facilities, organizations and individuals in Middle Tennessee who contributed money for start-up, scholarships, equipment and supplies. 

In the spring of 2004, the school’s name was changed to honor one of those generous individuals. The school was named the “Jeanette C. Rudy School of Nursing” to honor the generosity of Dr. Jeanette Cantrell Rudy, retired nurse and philanthropist. Today, the program is growing exponentially and successfully and offers the traditional BSN, an RN to BSN and a Masters of Science in Nursing (Educator track or Leadership track).