Department Chair Donna Lister – SCA 108B – (435) 586-1990	Faculty & Staff
Nursing Program Manager Teresa Higbee – SCA 108C – (435) 586-7915	Student Success Advisors
Administrative Assistant II/Admissions Vikki Robertson – SCA 108A – (435) 586-1906	Website

Overview of Programs

The Department of Nursing provides academic programs that prepare individuals for professional nursing practice. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing is recommended for students preparing for entry into nursing practice. We offer a learning-centered education that meets the requirements for a baccalaureate degree at SUU and ensures that graduates have the abilities to be successful professional nurses.

Mission

The Department of Nursing is made up of academic programs that prepare individuals for professional nursing practice. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing is recommended for students preparing for entry into nursing practice. We offer a learning-centered education that meets the requirements for a baccalaureate degree at SUU and ensures that graduates have the abilities to be successful, excellent, professional nurses. The purpose of the Department of Nursing is to provide learning opportunities that engage students in a comprehensive program of classroom and experiential learning that emphasizes caring, critical thinking, patient safety, ethical decision making, and communication, civic responsibility and professional excellence.

Goals

The observable, measurable goals of the Department of Nursing and our outcomes by which we will accomplish them are:

• To prepare graduates to successfully enter professional nursing practice and graduate school by offering well-planned and pedagogically sound learning experiences that explore diverse culture and ideas. Courses are focused on authentic, meaningful projects that develop skills in analysis, critical thinking, problem solving, and ethical decision making.
• To develop technically proficient nurses by offering students hands-on experiences with state-of-the-art health care equipment, one-on-one instructional experiences, and varied hands-on clinical practicum opportunities that include intentional and transformative learning experiences.
• To excel in its commitment to high-quality outcomes and student achievement by supporting faculty members as health care professionals. Faculty will demonstrate excellence in teaching, scholarly endeavors, practice, and professional community service and provide leadership in nursing practice by fostering good teaching, encouraging participation in clinical practice, professional service, and scholarly engagement.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Southern Utah University Baccalaureate Nursing Program, graduates will be able to do the following:

1. Provide quality professional nursing care based on a synthesis of theoretical and empirical knowledge from nursing, physical and social sciences, arts and humanities, and life experiences.
2. Use evidence as the basis for clinically competent contemporary nursing care.
3. Communicate effectively using various means in a variety of roles and settings.
4. Optimize health care to diverse individuals, families, groups and communities through collaboration with interdisciplinary health care teams.
5. Demonstrate intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and motivation toward life-long learning.
6. Influence the quality of nursing and health care using leadership skills, management concepts, and a knowledge of the political system.
7. Be legally and ethically accountable for clinical nursing practice.
8. Assume the role of generalist nurse and become a responsible member of the profession. 

Other Information

Licensure Preparation

Graduation from the SUU Department of Nursing is not a guarantee of licensure; successful completion of the SUU B.S.N. degree entitles the graduate to apply for the registered nurse national examination for licensure (NCLEX®-RN). In order to be licensed as a registered nurse in the State of Utah, the applicant must be in conformity with the Utah Nurse Practice Act. The Utah State Board of Nursing makes the final decision as to whether a license will be issued to practice nursing in the State of Utah. If you have questions regarding this, please contact:

Department of Professional Licensing
Utah State Board of Nursing
160 East 300 South
PO Box 146741
Salt Lake City, UT 84111-6741
Phone Number: 801-530-6628 or Toll Free in Utah: 866-275-3675
Website: dopl.utah.gov/nurse/index.html

All pre-nursing and nursing students should seek advisement every semester to remain current and on track for application to, progression through, and graduation from the nursing program.

For Department of Nursing Admission Information:

Vikki Robertson, Administrative Assistant II/Admissions
Nursing Department, SCA 108A
351 W University Blvd
Cedar City, UT 84720
(435) 586-1906, RobertsonV@suu.edu

Admission to the SUU Baccalaureate Nursing Program is competitive. Students must apply and be accepted to enter the nursing program. In addition to an outstanding academic record, we admit students based on numerous qualities, including leadership, work and volunteer experiences, and potential for success as presented in the application.

All applicants to the pre-licensure and HP to BSN programs must have a minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, a minimum average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale on all “Nursing Required Support Courses” with no grade less than a “C” (2.0), and no more than 18 credits outstanding prerequisite courses to be eligible to apply.

All applicants to the RN to BSN must have a minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.

Programs

• Nursing - Health Professionals to BSN Emphasis (B.S.N.)
• Nursing - Pre-Licensure Emphasis (B.S.N.)
• Nursing - RN to BSN Emphasis (B.S.N.)