Students and Friends of the College,

Welcome to the College of Nursing at East Tennessee State University! We hope these web pages offer you a glimpse of the exciting opportunities available to you as a student, prospective faculty or staff member, or friend or alumnus of the college. 

ETSU’s College of Nursing is a leader in the state and nation in innovative nursing education. 

Our programs are special in several ways, with exciting results for students. Of our more than 100 BSN graduates each year, 94% exceed the national average on their national licensing exam! Of those MSN graduates seeking national certification as a family, adult or gerontological nurse practitioner, 100% achieved it! Our alumni are practicing all over the globe, in all kinds of nursing and health care positions. Here are a few examples of special features of our programs. 

*BSN, MSN and DSN programs, each with unique opportunities within the degree, provide a full range of nursing education. All programs meet accreditation and professional standards. The Master of Science in Nursing Regents Online Degree Program (MSN-RODP), is designed for working baccalaureate prepared registered nurses who are unable to pursue graduate education due to job demands, family or time and distance constraints.

*We want students to succeed, and we put our energy and resources into that venture. A computer lab for nursing students, a tutoring and mentoring center, and assistance in test-taking and study skills are all available. Professional advisors are here five days each week, year round, to assist students successfully negotiate the college environment. 

*Our programs are offered in patterns that help people achieve their academic goals. Weekend scheduling for RN-BSN and MSN students in the administrative specialty, blocked scheduling for advanced practice students, an LPN-BSN option, a growing number of on-line courses, and partnerships with health care agencies that benefit BSN students in the region all offer students special opportunities.

*Our college mission is to facilitate the health of the community through excellence in nursing education, professional leadership, scholarship and innovative practice. Students at every program level, get hands-on experience in settings that help them make a difference in the health of the people of our region from their very first semester of nursing courses. They have an opportunity to develop skills as leaders in the health care system. 

*All programs engage students in strong interdisciplinary linkages with medicine, public and allied health and other professional programs in the university, providing a taste of real-world collaborative experiences before graduation. 

*More than 60% of the faculty members are nationally certified as advanced practice nurses, so students are assured that their clinical experience is guided by experts!  The close working relationship between students, health care agencies, and faculty serving as role models, in practice, is very unique. 

*Faculty members have come from all over the country and the world to teach at ETSU. Of those who are tenured or on the tenure-track, 75% hold the PhD in nursing or a related field, far above the national average for schools of nursing. Their research efforts often involve graduate and honors students.

*Leadership and governance opportunities for students are available for those who wish to serve as class officers, Student Nurse Association leaders, or as representatives to college and university committees. 

We’re full of “ETSU Pride” for our programs, students, graduates, research, and practice! Enjoy our pages, and stay in touch. 

Sincerely, 

Patricia L. Smith, Ed.D., R.N.
Dean

Page last updated January 3, 2005