For the 2007 academic year, 99% of Cumberland’s nursing school graduates passed the national nursing licensure exam. We know how to prepare our students. This success – and the dream behind it – started with the interest and generosity of the University's many friends. University Medical Center generously provided an area for the Learning Resource Laboratory, major educational equipment, and supplies needed for nursing skills simulation.

Many other facilities and organizations in the Middle Tennessee area contributed seed money, student scholarship money, or equipment/supplies to enable Cumberland to meet the needs of the Middle Tennessee area for well-prepared nurses. In the spring of 2004, the school’s name was changed to the Jeanette Rudy School of Nursing in honor of Dr. Jeanette Cantrell Rudy, a retired nurse and longtime friend and benefactor of Cumberland University. Today, the program is growing exponentially – and successfully.

For the past six years, Cumberland has attained 100% placement of its nursing students in jobs of their choice.

Four academic tracks are available to help:

1. general students obtain a BSN in eight semesters
2. registered nurses (RNs) holding diplomas or Associate Degrees upgrade to BSN status
3. students holding baccalaureate or university parallel degrees in areas other than nursing obtain a BSN degree without meeting a second set of core requirements
4. Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), holding a current LPN license, upgrade to BSN status. Our BSN program is nationally accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission and is approved by the Tennessee Board of Nursing.

For a complete description of all courses, please review our undergraduate catalog.

The Jeanette Rudy School of Nursing is located on University Medical Center's McFarland Specialty Campus, located at 500 Park Ave. in Lebanon. For a detailed map and directions, please click here.

NEXT NURSING HESI Admissions Assessment: Applications MUST BE submitted by June 22, 2009 for fall admissions. The HESI Admissions Assessment will be held on June 27, 2009. For Spring 2010 admissions, applications must be submitted by Sept. 18, 2009, and the HESI Admissions Assessment is scheduled for Sept. 26, 2009. For Summer 2010 admissions, applications must be submitted by Feb. 20, 2010, and the HESI Admissions Assessment will be held on Feb. 27, 2010.

Click here to review the School of Nursing's program of study. All students must apply to CU for admission. Students must also have a cumulative GPA of no less than 2.8. Students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible by contacting the School of Nursing at 615.547.1215. Students must not lack more than 10 hours of the following courses: ENG 101, MATH 111, CHEM 103, BIO 111, SOC 221, ENG 102, Fine Arts Elective, PSY 201, SPAN 100, BIO 203, ENG 215, ENG 216, HIS 191, HIS 201, PSY 211, BIO 213, NUR 210, HIS 192, HIS 202, SPE 220, PSY 205 and BIO 214. For more information, please contact Carol Ann Evans at 615.547.1215 or at cevans@cumberland.edu.