Mission and Philosophy
The Carr College of Nursing’s mission statement is “Developing Nurses as Christian Servants.”
The nursing program fosters a supportive environment which challenges professional and advanced practice nursing students to reach their full potential. The programs’ purposes are to provide a quality professional education which leads to an understanding and philosophy of life consistent with Christian ideals. This involves the following goals:
- The preparation of professional and advanced practice nurses who provide nursing care reflective of their faith and Christian service and who value lifelong intellectual growth.
- The encouragement of practice-oriented clinical judgment and clinical reasoning which acknowledges dependence on God and is built upon a liberal arts foundation and nursing science.
- The development of a commitment to Christian values, ethics, intellectual excellence and standards of professional and advanced nursing practice.
- The promotion of supportive personal and professional relationships.
- The promotion of lifelong health habits that contribute to a better quality of life physically, spiritually, psychologically and socially.
- The emphasis of a servant-leadership lifestyle which prepares graduates who have a respect for cultures and an understanding of world missions.
Accreditation
The Carr College of Nursing offers full-time and part-time admission opportunities to prepare nurses for the challenges and rewards of professional and advanced practice nursing. The baccalaureate degree in nursing, master’s degree in nursing, family nurse practitioner track and post-graduate APRN certificate program at Harding University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, D.C. 20001, 202-887-6791 (www.ccneaccreditation.org); and the BSN program has continuing full approval of the Arkansas State Board of Nursing (ASBN) University Tower Building, 1123 South University Ave., Suite 800, Little Rock, AR 72204-1619, 501-686-2700 (www.arsbn.org).
Nursing Program Requirements
Technical Standards: In addition to the academic requirements for admission, candidates for BSN, ABSN, MSN-FNP track, PGC-FNP track; MEPN, EMEPN (Early Entry Master’s into Professional Nursing) must be able to exhibit mastery of technical standards for this field by performing the essential functions in each of the following categories: observation, communication, sensory/motor, intellectual, behavioral/social and ethical. The college is committed to enabling students with disabilities by reasonable means of accommodations to complete the nursing degree programs.
The Carr College of Nursing at Harding University has an ethical responsibility for the safety of patients with whom the students come into contact.
These functions include:
Observation: A candidate must be able to observe demonstrations and experiments in the basic sciences and observe demonstrations in class, laboratory settings and clinical sites. A candidate must be able to observe and interpret presented information. A candidate must be able to observe a patient accurately at a distance and close at hand. This standard necessitates the use of vision, hearing and somatic senses or functional equivalent.
Communication: A candidate must be able to communicate effectively and sensitively with patients, caregivers, and all members of the health care team. The purpose of this communication is to elicit information, describe changes in mood, activity and posture, and perceive nonverbal communication.
Sensory/Motor: A candidate must have sufficient motor function and skills required in the nursing procedures and skills. A candidate must have sufficient motor function to gain information from patients. Examples of such tasks may include assessing patients by body system, taking accurate vital signs, giving injections or inserting intravenous catheters. Such actions require coordination of both gross and fine muscular movements, equilibrium, and use of the senses of touch and vision or functional equivalent.
Intellectual (Conceptual, Integrative, and Quantitative Abilities): A candidate must demonstrate a fundamental and continuing ability to use critical thinking and analytical skills to independently and in collaboration with a health care team, synthesize knowledge, solve problems and explain health care situations. A candidate must be fully alert and attentive at all times in clinical settings.
Behavioral/Social: A candidate must demonstrate professional demeanor appropriate to his/her educational level. A candidate must possess the emotional health required for full utilization of his or her intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgment, and the prompt completion of all patient care responsibilities. A candidate must possess the ability to develop mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with patients. A candidate must be able to tolerate physically taxing workloads and to function effectively under stress. A candidate must be able to function within regulatory limits and modify behavior based on constructive criticism. A candidate must be able to adapt to changing environments, to display flexibility and learn to function in the face of uncertainties inherent in the clinical problems of many patients. A candidate must possess compassion, integrity, interpersonal skills, and motivation to excel in professional and advanced nursing practice.
Ethical Standards: A candidate must demonstrate the highest level of professional demeanor and behavior, and must perform in an ethical manner in all dealings with peers, faculty, staff preceptors, patients, families and all heath care members.
Program Costs
Beyond tuition and university fees, all nursing students will incur personal incidental expenses for which the students are personally responsible. These may include but are not limited to a computer, mobile computing device, clinical expanses, health-related expenses, standardized tests, certification preparation and examination fees, health insurance, lab coats, program patches, health care assessment equipment, transportation, and personal costs while attending campus activities. Course fees are found under each course description in the catalog.
Computer Requirements
Proficiency in basic computer skills (word processing, databases, internet searches, and email) is expected of all nursing students. Courses will be offered through an online format, hybrid format, and in face-to-face courses, and will require personal access to high speed internet with video and audio streaming capacities. Students are required to have a computer upon entry to the programs. Other minimum technology requirements as well as a mobile computing device will be identified following admission to the programs.
Equipment Requirements
All students will be required to purchase or have equipment to meet program requirements. An equipment list and the dress requirements will be provided after admission.
Travel Requirements
Travel to school and clinical sites is an expected part of nursing programs. Clinical experiences will necessitate travel to a variety of diverse care sites. Students will be responsible for all costs associated with clinical experiences, such as transportation, meals, additional clinical requirements, etc. Some sites may require arrangements for accommodations which will also be the student’s responsibility.
All students are required to have access to a motor vehicle, a valid driver’s license, and current auto liability insurance throughout the program.
Background Check Requirements
Criminal background checks with cleared acceptable results are required prior to admission and throughout the programs. Students are to consent, submit, and successfully complete a criminal background check through a program-selected vendor as a condition for final admission to the programs. This process requires a legible set of fingerprints to be sent to the selected vendor, and the fees are paid according to program requirements.
Certain conditions and criminal offenses may disqualify an applicant for admission to or progression in any Carr College of Nursing program. If the program determines a student has a non-eligibility condition in his or her history, or was not cleared in the Criminal Background Check process, the application to the program may be denied. In pre-licensure programs, the state boards of nursing also have regulations that prohibit licensing with a history of criminal offenses.
Students are required to submit to drug testing as required by the programs and clinical sites. A positive drug screen results in program dismissal. Both criminal background checks and drug screens are common pre-employment procedures and required for licensing by state boards of nursing and professional practice.
Scholarships
Scholarship opportunities are available on the university and college websites.
Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society
The Epsilon Omicron Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Inc., a collegiate honor society in nursing, was chartered at Harding University on Feb. 9, 1982. Application for this chapter was made by the local Honor Society of Nursing that was installed in fall 1976. Membership in Sigma Theta Tau is by invitation based on demonstration of outstanding qualities in character, leadership, nursing ability and scholastic achievement.
Health Care Mission Opportunities
Students will be provided with opportunities to participate in medical missions at several locations. These mission opportunities are not part of tuition and fees but are based on funds raised by the students. Students are required to register for academic credit to have university liability insurance. Additional information is provided during the program.
Faculty
Dean: Susan Kehl, Ph.D., RN, CNE
Associate Dean: Kim Cooper, D.N.P., RN, CNE
Professors:
Susan Kehl, Ph.D., RN, CNE
Cheryl Lee, Ph.D., RN, CNE, CWOCN
Assistant Dean of Clinical Education
Associate Professors:
Gregory Brooks, D.N.P., APRN, FNP-C
Assistant Dean of Student Affairs
Dona Clarin, D.N.P., APRN, FNP-BC, SANE-P
Director of the Master of Science in Nursing - FNP Program
Kim Cooper, D.N.P., RN, CNE
Lisa Engel, D.N.P., RN, CNE
Juli Lane, D.N.P., RN, CNE, SANE-P
Debby Nutt, D.N.P., RN
Director of the Master’s Entry into Professional Nursing Program
Patty Smith, Ph.D., RN, CCRN-K
Director of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program
Susan Clouse Smith, D.N.P., APRN, PNP, FNP-BC
Kim Swenson, D.N.P., RNC-MNN
Assistant Professors:
German Abarca, D.N.P., APRN, FNP-BC
Marcus Binns, M.S.N.-N.E., RN
Jeanie Burt, M.A., M.S.N., RN, CNE, CDP
Bonnie Dillard, M.N.Sc., APRN, FNP-BC
Charissa Fuller, M.S.N., APRN, FNP-BC
Jessica Gardner, M.S.N., APRN, CPNP-AC
Karen Garner, M.S.N., RN
Jackie Harris, M.N.Sc., RN, CNE
Karen Kelley, D.N.P., RN
Kristen McCook, M.S.N., APRN, FNP-BC
Ronda Reely, M.S.N., RN
Elizabeth Thomason, D.N.P., APRN, FNP-C
Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Accelerated Programs
Master of Science in Nursing
Certificate
Non-Degree
