As you confront the challenges of nursing and the healthcare community in the twenty-first century, you’ll want the finest preparation available. That’s what you’ll find as a nursing student at Union University: a first-tier faculty that will equip you with the professional skills you need for success, yet will also take an interest in you as a person. READ MORE
Empowerment. Flexibility. A commitment to the individual. A spirit of
Christian service. At Union University, those principles serve as a foundation for the study of nursing. If you want to reach your professional goals and have a great time along the way, we’ll get you there!
The School of Nursing has been widely recognized for a record of achievement,
including:
- A 100 percent job placement rate in recent years
- An award-winning faculty
- Fully accredited BSN, MSN and DNP programs by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- The new Post-Master's Doctor of Nursing Practice is enrolling students and gained full approval from CCNE in 2011.
- Opportunities for practical clinical experience in diverse healthcare
delivery settings, from acute care hospitals to nursing homes to
community-based settings, such as home health and hospice programs, school
clinics, and occupational settings.
- Small classes and individual attention in an environment of
Christ-centered higher education.
Purpose of the School of Nursing
The purpose of the School of Nursing is to prepare competent professional
nurses who provide caring therapeutic interventions to meet the health needs of
culturally diverse persons.
Mission of the School of Nursing
The mission of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is to be excellence-driven, Christ-centered, people-focused, and future-directed while preparing qualified individuals for a career in the caring, therapeutic, and teaching profession of nursing.
The mission of the Master of Science in Nursing program is to prepare graduates for advanced professional nursing practice with specific functional and clinical abilities.
The mission of the postmaster’s certificate program is to prepare graduates for advanced professional nursing practice with specific functions and clinical abilities.
The mission of the Doctor of Nursing Practice program is to prepare experts inspecialized advanced nursing practice with a Christ-centered focus.
Conceptual Framework for School of Nursing
The School of Nursing addresses six concepts. The four main concepts in
nursing are person, environment, health, and nursing. Two additional concepts
are professional nursing practice and educational process.
Administrative Office
- Timothy L. Smith
- Professor of Nursing, Nursing
- Dean of the School of Nursing, School of Nursing
- Executive Director, Center for Excellence in Health Care Practice
- Education:
Diploma, Baptist Memorial Hospital School of Nursing
Diploma, University of Tennessee Medical Center, Knoxville
B.S.N., University of Memphis
M.S.N., University of Tennessee Center for Health Sciences
Ph.D, University of Tennessee Center for Health Sciences
Additional Study, Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary
Additional Study, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Additional Study, Union University
- Office: WH 221/PH 361, Box 1801, 731-661-5029 (voice), 731-661-5504 (fax)
- E-mail: tsmith@uu.edu
- University Profile
- Scholarship Profile
- Kelly Harden
- Director, Doctor of Nursing Practice Track and Associate Professor of Nursing, Nursing
- Associate Dean of Graduate Programs, School of Nursing
- Education:
A.D.N., Mississippi County Community College
B.S.N., Regents University
M.S.N., University of Missouri
DNSc., University of Tennessee Health Science Center
- Office: WH 223, Box 1801, 731-661-5946 (voice)
- E-mail: kharden@uu.edu
- University Profile
- Carol K Nethery
- Assistant Professor of Nursing, Nursing
- Associate Dean, Undergraduate Nursing, School of Nursing
- Education:
A.S.N., Union University
B.S.N., Union University
M.S.N., Union University
D.N.P., Union University
- Office: WH 222, Box 1801, 731-661-5902 (voice), 731-661-5504 (fax)
- E-mail: cnethery@uu.edu
- University Profile
Faculty
- Denise Thornton-Orr
- Chair, Undergraduate Program and Assistant Professor of Nursing
- Education:
B.S.N., Mississippi University for Women
M.S.N., University of Tennessee Health Science Center
DNSc., University of Tennessee Health Science Center
- Office: UUG 214C, Box UUG, 901-312-1924 (voice)
- E-mail: dthornton@uu.edu
- University Profile
- Glynis D. Blackard
- Assistant Professor of Nursing and Chair, Undergraduate Nursing, Hendersonville
- Education:
Diploma, Baptist Memorial Hospital School of Nursing
B.S.N., Union University
M.S.N., Union University
- Office: UUH 207, 615-447-2531 (voice)
- E-mail: gblackard@uu.edu
- University Profile
- Patsy Crihfield
- Chair, MSN-Nurse Practitioner Track and Professor of Nursing
- Education:
B.A., Stephens College
B.S.N., University of Memphis
M.S.N., University of Tennessee, Memphis
Additional Masters Study, University of Missouri, St. Louis
D.N.P., University of Tennessee, Memphis
- Office: UUG 214D, Box 1801, 901-312-1907 (voice), 901-759-5874 (fax)
- E-mail: pcrihfie@uu.edu
- University Profile
- Cynthia Powers
- Chair, MSN - Nurse Education/ Nurse Administration Tracks and Associate Professor of Nursing
- Education:
A.D.N., University of Memphis
B.S., University of St. Francis
M.S.N., St. Josephs College (Maine)
D.N.P., Union University
- Office: UUG 214G, Box UUG, 901-312-1955 (voice), 901-759-5874 (fax)
- E-mail: cpowers@uu.edu
- University Profile
- Dana LeAnne Wilhite
- Assistant Professor of Nursing and Interim Chair of Undergraduate Nursing, Jackson
- Education:
B.S.N., Union University
M.S.N., University of Tennessee, Memphis
- Office: WH 244, Box 1801, 731-661-6569 (voice)
- E-mail: lwilhite@uu.edu
- University Profile
- Molly Gregory Wright
- Chair, Nurse Anesthesia Track and Assistant Professor of Nursing
- Education:
A.S.N., Union University
B.S., University of St. Francis
M.S., Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia
M.S.N., Union University
D.N.P., Union University
- Office: WH 236, Box 1801, 731-661-5347 (voice)
- E-mail: mwright@uu.edu
- University Profile
- April Yearwood
- Assistant Professor of Nursing and Assistant Chair, MSN-Nurse Anesthesia Program
- Education:
B.S.N., Union University
M.S.N., University of Tennessee Health Science Center
- Office: WH 237, Box 1801, 731-661-6557 (voice)
- E-mail: ayearwood@uu.edu
- University Profile
- Renee H. Anderson
- Assistant Professor of Nursing
- Education:
B.S.N., University of Tennessee, Martin
M.S.N., University of Memphis
- Office: WH 233, Box 1801, 731-661-5905 (voice)
- E-mail: randerson@uu.edu
- University Profile
- Laurie Bagwell
- Assistant Professor of Nursing
- Education:
A.S.N., Indiana University - Kokomo
B.S.N., Union University
M.S.N., Union University
D.N.P., Chatham University
- Office: UUG 214A
- E-mail: lbagwell@uu.edu
- University Profile
- Linda Billings
- Assistant Professor of Nursing
- Education:
A.S.N., Shelby State Community College
B.S.N., Union University
M.S.N., Union University
- Office: UUG 225, 901-312-1939 (voice)
- E-mail: lbillings@uu.edu
- University Profile
- Brandy Brown
- Assistant Professor of Nursing
- Education:
B.S.N., University of South Alabama
M.S.N., Vanderbilt University
- Office: WH 2xx, Box 1801, 731-661-6558 (voice)
- E-mail: bbrown@uu.edu
- University Profile
- Sandra Brown
- Associate Professor of Nursing
- Education:
B.S.N., University of Tennessee College of Nursing, Memphis
M.Ed., University of Memphis
M.S.N., University of Tennessee Center for the Health Sciences
- Office: WH 248, Box 1801, 731-661-5315 (voice)
- E-mail: sbrown@uu.edu
- University Profile
- Connie K. Cupples
- Associate Professor of Nursing
- Education:
Diploma, Methodist Hospital School of Nursing
B.S.N., University of Memphis
M.S., University of Memphis
M.S.N., Union University
Ph.D, University of Tennessee Health Science Center
- Office: UUG 214F, Box 1801, 901-312-1930 (voice), 901-759-1197 (fax)
- E-mail: ccupples@uu.edu
- University Profile
- Website: http://www.uu.edu/personal/ccupples/
- Allison Davis
- Assistant Professor of Nursing
- Education:
B.S.N., Middle Tennessee State University
M.S.N., Union University
- Office: UUH 211, 615-447-2534 (voice)
- E-mail: adavis@uu.edu
- University Profile
- Darel Davis
- Assistant Professor of Nursing
- Education:
B.S.N., Union University
M.S.N., Union University
- Office: WH 238, 731-661-5348 (voice)
- E-mail: ddavis@uu.edu
- University Profile
- Sharon J. Evans
- Associate Professor of Nursing
- Education:
B.S.N., Oral Roberts University
M.S.N., St. Louis University
Ph.D, St. Louis University
- Office: WH 254, Box 1801, 731-661-5949 (voice), 731-661-5504 (fax)
- E-mail: sjevans@uu.edu
- University Profile
- Sherrita C. Fitzhugh
- Instructor of Nursing
- Education:
B.S.N., Union University
M.S.N., Union University
- Office: WH 245, Box 1801, 731-661-5539 (voice)
- E-mail: sfitzhug@uu.edu
- University Profile
- Brian Foster
- Assistant Professor of Nursing
- Education:
A.D.N., Excelsior College
B.S.N., Middle Tennessee State University
M.S.N., Union University
- Office: WH 234, 731-661-5916 (voice)
- E-mail: bfoster@uu.edu
- University Profile
- Sheilla Foster
- Assistant Professor of Nursing
- Education:
A.S.N., Union University
B.S.N., University of Tennessee, Martin
M.S.N., Union University
- Office: WH 259, Box 1801, 731-661-5988 (voice), 731-541-4196 (fax)
- E-mail: sfoster@uu.edu
- University Profile
- Kelly Harden
- Director, Doctor of Nursing Practice Track and Associate Professor of Nursing
- Associate Dean of Graduate Programs, School of Nursing
- Education:
A.D.N., Mississippi County Community College
B.S.N., Regents University
M.S.N., University of Missouri
DNSc., University of Tennessee Health Science Center
- Office: WH 223, Box 1801, 731-661-5946 (voice)
- E-mail: kharden@uu.edu
- University Profile
- Brad Harrell
- Associate Professor of Nursing
- Education:
B.S.N., University of Memphis
M.S.N., University of Memphis
D.N.P., University of Tennessee Health Science Center
- Office: UUG 219B, 901-312-1951 (voice), 901-759-5874 (fax)
- E-mail: bharrell@uu.edu
- University Profile
- Elisha Hill
- Assistant Professor of Nursing
- Education:
B.S., Western Kentucky University
B.S.N., Western Kentucky University
M.S.N., Union University
- Office: UUH 216, 615-447-2536 (voice)
- E-mail: ehill@uu.edu
- University Profile
- Mary Lee Jacobson
- Assistant Professor of Nursing
- Education:
B.S.N., University of Memphis
M.S.N., Union University
- Office: UUG 219A, 901-312-1950 (voice)
- E-mail: mjacobson@uu.edu
- University Profile
- Patricia R. Keene
- Professor of Nursing
- Education:
A.S.N., University of Memphis
B.S.N., The University of Tennessee Health Science Center
M.S.N., The University of Tennessee Health Science Center
D.N.P., The University of Tennessee Health Science Center
- Office: UUG 219C, Box 1801, 901-312-1934 (voice)
- E-mail: pkeene@uu.edu
- University Profile
- Anita Langston
- Donna Latham
- Georgia Wilson Distinguished Assistant Professor of Nursing
- Education:
A.A., Union University
B.S.N., Texas Christian University
M.S.N., University of Alabama at Birmingham
Additional Masters Study, University of Memphis
- Office: WH 240, Box 1801, 731-661-5238 (voice)
- E-mail: dlatham@uu.edu
- University Profile
- Melissa Lefave
- Assistant Professor of Nursing Anesthesia
- Education:
B.S.N., Union University
M.S., Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia
- Office: WH 233, Box 1801, 731-661-6519 (voice), 731-661-5504 (fax)
- E-mail: mlefave@uu.edu
- University Profile
- Rosemary McLaughlin
- Associate Professor of Nursing
- Education:
B.S.N., Harding University
M.S.N., University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Ph.D, University of Tennessee Health Science Center
- Office: WH 246, Box 1801, 731-661-5155 (voice), 731-661-5504 (fax)
- E-mail: rmclaugh@uu.edu
- University Profile
- Scholarship Profile
- Lisa Medlin
- Associate Professor of Nursing
- Education:
A.A., Union University
B.S.N., Union University
M.S.N., Vanderbilt University
D.N.P., Union University
- Office: WH 242, Box 1801, 731-661-5154 (voice)
- E-mail: lmedlin@uu.edu
- University Profile
- Carol K Nethery
- Assistant Professor of Nursing
- Associate Dean, Undergraduate Nursing, School of Nursing
- Education:
A.S.N., Union University
B.S.N., Union University
M.S.N., Union University
D.N.P., Union University
- Office: WH 222, Box 1801, 731-661-5902 (voice), 731-661-5504 (fax)
- E-mail: cnethery@uu.edu
- University Profile
- Kathy M. O'Connor
- Donna S Sachse
- Professor of Nursing
- Education:
Diploma, Baptist Memorial Hospital School of Nursing
B.S.N., University of Memphis
M.S.N., University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Ph.D, University of Tennessee Health Science Center
- Office: UUG 214E, Box UUG, 901-312-1922 (voice), 901-759-1197 (fax)
- E-mail: dsachse@uu.edu
- University Profile
- Scholarship Profile
- Zoila Sanchez
- Associate Professor of Nursing
- Education:
B.A., Florida International University
B.S.N., Florida International University
M.S.N., Union University
Ph.D, University of Tennessee Health Science Center
- Office: WH 243, Box 1801, 731-661-5929 (voice)
- E-mail: zsanchez@uu.edu
- University Profile
- Jennifer Sanderfer
- Assistant Professor of Nursing
- Education:
B.S.N., University of Texas
M.S.N., Vanderbilt University
- Office: UUH 210, 615-447-2554 (voice)
- E-mail: jsanderfer@uu.edu
- University Profile
- Carla Sanderson
- Professor of Nursing
- Executive Vice President for Strategic Initiatives and Provost, Office of Strategic Initiatives and the Provost
- Education:
Diploma, Baptist Memorial Hospital School of Nursing
B.S.N., Union University
M.S.N., University of Tennessee Center for Health Sciences
Ph.D, University of Florida
- Office: PAC F-6, Box 1815, 731-661-5203; 5355 (voice)
- E-mail: csanders@uu.edu
- University Profile
- Scholarship Profile
- Timothy L. Smith
- Professor of Nursing
- Dean of the School of Nursing, School of Nursing
- Executive Director, Center for Excellence in Health Care Practice
- Education:
Diploma, Baptist Memorial Hospital School of Nursing
Diploma, University of Tennessee Medical Center, Knoxville
B.S.N., University of Memphis
M.S.N., University of Tennessee Center for Health Sciences
Ph.D, University of Tennessee Center for Health Sciences
Additional Study, Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary
Additional Study, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Additional Study, Union University
- Office: WH 221/PH 361, Box 1801, 731-661-5029 (voice), 731-661-5504 (fax)
- E-mail: tsmith@uu.edu
- University Profile
- Scholarship Profile
- Joyce Snyder
- Assistant Professor of Nursing
- Education:
A.D.N., Tennessee State University
B.S.N., University of Alabama, Huntsville
M.S.N., Western Kentucky University
F.N.P., Western Kentucky University
- Office: UUH 217, 615-447-2537 (voice)
- E-mail: jsnyder@uu.edu
- University Profile
- Jessica M. Suiter
- Assistant Professor of Nursing
- Education:
B.S., University of Missouri, Rolla
B.S.N., St. Louis University
M.S.N., Union University
- Office: PH 360, Box 1801, 731-661-5907 (voice)
- E-mail: jsuiter@uu.edu
- University Profile
- Melissa Swinea
- Assistant Professor of Nursing
- Education:
B.S., Lipscomb University
B.S.N., University of Alabama
M.S.N., Vanderbilt University
- Office: WH 2xx, Box 1801, 731-661-6559 (voice)
- E-mail: mswinea@uu.edu
- University Profile
- Lois W. Tate
- Professor of Nursing
- Education:
B.S.N., University of Memphis
M.S.N., The University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Ed.D., University of Memphis
- Office: UUG 214H, Box UUG, 901-312-1935 (voice)
- E-mail: ltate@uu.edu
- University Profile
- Joy Thomason
- Assistant Professor of Nursing
- Director of Health Care Educational Development, Center for Excellence in Health Care Practice
- Education:
B.S.N., University of Tennessee Center for Health Sciences
M.S.N., Union University
- Office: PH 359, Box 1801, 731-661-5964 (voice)
- E-mail: jthomaso@uu.edu
- University Profile
- Jill J. Webb
- Professor of Nursing
- Assistant Director of Honors Community, Honors Community
- Education:
B.S.N., Murray State University
M.S.N., University of Evansville
Ph.D, University of Tennessee, Memphis
Additional Study, Paducah Community College
- Office: PAC J-4, Box 1801, 731-661-6517 (voice), 731-661-5504 (fax)
- E-mail: jwebb@uu.edu
- University Profile
- Nelda Webb
- Assistant Professor of Nursing
- Education:
A.S.N., Union University
B.S.N., Union University
M.S.N., University of Tennessee, Knoxville
- Office: WH 238, Box 1801, 731-661-5112 (voice)
- E-mail: nwebb@uu.edu
- University Profile
- Shari Wherry
Programs of Study
Please see the Academic Catalogue description for more detail. Some minors do not appear here.
Student Organizations
Outside the classroom, you’ll enjoy opportunities for fellowship and building professional relationships through several nursing organizations:
- Baptist Student Nursing Fellowship
Advisor: Sheilla Foster
The Baptist Student Nursing Fellowship is a spiritual emphasis organization devoted to the development of the professional nurse based on a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It is open to all BSN students. It provides Christian fellowship, professional educational programs, community service activities, and academic encouragement for members. It promotes a holistic approach of professional nursing practice based on biblical principles.
- Sigma Theta Tau
Advisor: Sharon Evans
Germantown Advisor: Denise Thornton-Orr
Website: http://www.uu.edu/org/sigmathetatau/
Nu Lambda is a chapter of the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International. The vision of Sigma Theta Tau International is to create a global community of nurses who lead in using knowledge, scholarship, service and learning to improve the health of the world’s people. Membership is open to baccalaureate students who have completed one-half of the upper division nursing curriculum, have achieved a 3.0 GPA, and rank in the top 35% of their class. Membership is open to graduate students who have achieved a 3.5 GPA or greater and completed 10 hours or more in graduate studies. After graduation students continue their membership in the society as alumni and members of the nursing discipline.
- Student Nurses' Association
Advisor: Renee Anderson
NSNA is the largest health professional student organization in the United States. Union University’s chapter started in February, 1986. It is open to all Pre-Nursing and BSN students. Purposes of the organization are to assume responsibility for contributing to nursing education in order to provide for the highest quality health care; to provide programs of professional interest and to aid in the development of the whole person. Community involvement and scholarship opportunities are available. The chapter meets monthly with additional opportunities for state and national meetings.
Recent News
It’s not every day that an anesthesiologist and a nurse practitioner fly an aircraft, but Union University nursing professors Brian Foster and Brad Harrell found themselves doing just that recently.
But the men were flying a simulator at the FedEx Corp. Air Operations Training Center in Memphi... -
READ MORE
MORE STORIES
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2/13/2013 - Union’s online graduate nursing program scores high in USNWR rankings
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1/16/2013 - Nurse practitioner students complete final project demonstrating Union’s core values
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9/13/2012 - Union School of Nursing to host Region 8 conference
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10/11/2011 - Union University Germantown to host end-of-life simulation Oct. 19
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4/18/2011 - Center for Excellence in Health Care Practice partners with JCM
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12/20/2010 - Germantown MBA students present strategic plan for Center for Excellence in Health Care Practice
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11/6/2010 - Willow Ceremony at Union University Germantown to honor nurse practitioners
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7/21/2010 - Mission to Haiti: Nursing students serve in the aftermath of January's devastating earthquake
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5/7/2010 - Nursing students score perfect pass rate on NCLEX-RN
Unionite Articles - Spring 2010
Promotional Video
Recent Photos
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Kelly Harden, associate dean of graduate programs, teaches class. - Kristi McMurry
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Nursing students take notes during a lecture class. - Kristi McMurry
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Mary Lee Jacobson, assistant professor of nursing, helps a group of nursing students prepare for a simulation. - Kristi McMurry
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Nursing students prepare tools for a simulation lab session. - Kristi McMurry
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FedEx flight simulation aids healthcare simulation research