Mary Ella Graham, Ed.D., RN, Dean
Frederick S. Humphries
Family and Consumer Sciences and
Nursing Education Complex
General Statement:
The School of Nursing contributes to the health and welfare of the
citizens of Tennessee by preparing registered nurses who have the knowledge
and skill to provide quality nursing care in many different settings. The
School of Nursing offers two undergraduate degrees; an associate of applied
science degree (two year program) and a baccalaureate degree (four year
program). Both programs are approved by the Tennessee Board of Nursing and
accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC).
The NLNAC is a resource for information about tuition, fees, and length of
programs. For specific information contact the NLNAC at 61 Broadway, New
York, NY 10006, 1-800-669-1656. Graduates of both programs are eligible to
take the NCLEX-RN licensing examination.
Legal Requirements of State Boards
of Nursing
Eligibility for licensure for graduates who have been convicted of a
violation of the law will be determined by a State Board of Nursing on an
individual basis.
Special Fees and Expenses
Students in the nursing programs are required to pay fees for standardized
examinations. Students are required to have a physical examination and
immunizations, purchase liability insurance, uniforms and equipment, and
provide their own transportation to assigned clinical sites. Clinical
agencies may require students to have health insurance.
Requirements for Graduation
Students are eligible for graduation upon completion of all the University
and School of Nursing program requirements. All nursing students must earn a
passing score on the comprehensive program examination before graduation. A
minimum of 60 hours are required for graduation from the AAS program and 120
hours from the BSN program.
Transferring Between TSU
Nursing Programs
Students may not transfer from one TSU nursing program to another if they
have failed (grade of D or F) a nursing course or are ineligible, for any
reason, to continue in their current program.
School of Nursing Faculty
Mary Ella Graham, Professor, Dean
B.S., 1974, Long Island University; M.Ed., 1975, Teachers College Columbia
University; Ed.D., 1982, Teachers College Columbia University
Associate of Applied Science in Nursing Degree
Shirley M. Bass, Assistant Professor
B.S.N., 1987, University of New York; M.S.N., 1992, University of Tennessee
Knoxville.
Carol C. Chapman, Assistant Professor
B.S.N., 1963, George Peabody College; M.A., 1967, George Peabody College.
Bernardeen O. Fleming, Professor
B.S.N., 1959, Meharry Medical College; M.S.N., 1970, Vanderbilt University;
Ed.D., 1990, Tennessee State University.
Mary Ann Helms, Assistant Professor
B.S.N., 1966, Oklahoma Baptist University; M.S.N., 1976, Medical College of
Georgia.
Sandra F. Lea, Assistant Professor
B.S.N., 1988, William Carey College; M.S.N., 1993, University of Southern
Mississippi.
Jacqueline C. Lewis, Assistant Professor
B.S.N., 1979, Coppin State College; M.S.N., 1983 Howard University.
Therese P. McLean, Assistant Professor
B.S.N., 1982, University of Tennessee at Knoxville; M.S.N., 1997, Tennessee
State University.
Baccalaureate Nursing Degree Program
Vanessa J. Briscoe, Assistant Professor
B.S., 1982, Western Kentucky University; M.S.N., 1987, Vanderbilt
University.
Barbara Buchanan, Associate Professor
B.S.N., 1974, University of Tennessee at Memphis, M.S.N., 1984, University
of Tennessee at Memphis; Ed.D., 1998, Tennessee State University.
J. Gary Linn, Professor
B.A., 1968, Long Island University, M.A., 1972, University of Wisconsin;
M.S., 1974, University of Wisconsin, Madison; Ph.D. 1983, University of
Wisconsin, Madison.
Jane C. Norman, Professor
B.S., 1972, University of Tennessee Knoxville; M.S.N. 1976, Vanderbilt
University; Ph.D., 1982, George Peabody College of Vanderbilt University.
Mary O. Pleas, Professor
B.S., 1966, Roosevelt University; M.Ed., 1969, University of Illinois; M.S.N.,
1985, Meharry Medical College; Ed.D., 1989, George Peabody College of
Vanderbilt University.
Antionette C. Rawls, Associate Professor
B.S.N., 1970, University of Tennessee Memphis, M.S.N., 1977, Vanderbilt
University; Ed.D.
2000 Tennessee State University
Yvonne N. Stringfield, Professor
B.S., 1976, Hampton Institute, M.S., 1985, Hampton University; Ed.S., 1990,
The College of William & Mary; Ed.D., 1993, The College of William and Mary.
Verla M. Vaughan, Associate Professor
B.A., 1972, Tennessee State University; M.S.N., 1977 Vanderbilt University;
Ph.D., 1995, Texas Woman’s University.
Betty L. Wilson, Assistant Professor
B.S.N., 1969, Tuskegee Institute, M.S., 1971, University of Michigan.
.