Moffett & Sanders School of Nursing

Academic Administration

Melondie R. Carter, Dean; Professor and Distinguished Chair, Nursing
Lora R. Shelton, Senior Associate Dean; Professor
Cynthia G. Berry, Undergraduate Associate Dean; Professor
Lisa E. Gurley, Graduate Associate Dean; Professor
Stephanie D. Wynn, Associate Dean for Scholarly Activity; Professor
Amanda L. Barron, Undergraduate Department Chair; Associate Professor
Terri M. Cahoon, Chair, Department of Nurse Anesthesia; Professor
Tonya D. Shanahan, Chair, Department of Nurse Practitioner, Associate Professor

Faculty

Amy Branyon Bigham, Professor
Ellen Banks Buckner, Professor
Jennifer J. Coleman, Professor
Andrea W. Collins, Professor
Cynthia G. Cortes, Professor
Jillyn N. Pence, Professor
Sherri H. Chatman, Associate Professor
Lee M. Hardin, Associate Professor
Lisa E. Herbinger, Associate Professor
Mary Annette Hess, Associate Professor
Kristen C. Johnston, Associate Professor
Megan R. Mileski, Associate Professor
Ashley B. York, Associate Professor
Shannon M. Ashe, Assistant Professor
Kelli R. Burdette, Assistant Professor
Heidi H. Callighan, Assistant Professor
Kimberly French, Assistant Professor
Christy Greenhalgh, Assistant Professor
Lori H. Harrison, Assistant Professor
Konda Keebler, Assistant Professor
Hannah E. Landgrave, Assistant Professor
Maria D. Ledbetter, Assistant Professor
Christa Moore, Assistant Professor
Mary Talbot Skinner, Assistant Professor
Amy C. Snow, Assistant Professor
Courtney E. Spells, Assistant Professor
Ashley McLeod Turner, Assistant Professor
Angela Wilson, Assistant Professor
Chloe’ E. Chapman, Instructor
Rachel Cheek, Instructor
Havilah S. Couvillion, Instructor
Rebekah Duvall, Instructor
Melinda Grayson, Instructor
Kyteria E. Holmes, Instructor
Lauren H. Jones, Instructor
Sandra L. McMichael, Instructor
Lindsay R. Pitts, Instructor
Hannah S. Pope, Instructor
Sarah D. Stone, Instructor
Laura E. Wynn, Instructor

History

Rich in tradition, Moffett & Sanders School of Nursing was founded in 1922 by the Birmingham Baptist Association as a hospital-based diploma program. In 1955, the school became the first program in Alabama to achieve national accreditation and it has remained fully accredited throughout its existence. The nursing program transferred to Samford University in 1973 following a merger agreement with the Baptist Health System to offer associate and baccalaureate degrees in nursing. The school currently resides within the College of Health Sciences facilities on the east side of Samford’s campus. Extraordinary growth and transformation have occurred since the school’s inception, but the school’s objective remains unchanged - prepare students to provide exceptional, compassionate, patient-centered care. Pass rates for graduates taking national licensure and certification examinations exceed national averages. Moffett & Sanders School of Nursing offers a variety of pathways and concentrations for obtaining a bachelor of science in nursing, a master of science in nursing, or a doctor of nursing practice degree. Advanced practice registered nurse certificates are also available.

Accreditation and Approval

The Moffett & Sanders School of Nursing’s baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral degree programs, as well as post-graduate certificate programs are accredited by The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, D.C., 20001; phone (202) 887-6791. In addition, the nurse anesthesia program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA), 10275 W. Higgins Rd., Suite 906, Rosemont, IL, 60018-5603 phone: (224) 275-9130; http://coacrna.org. The School of Nursing is also approved by the Alabama Board of Nursing.

Program Goals

The goals of the Moffett & Sanders School of Nursing (MSSON) are as follows:

Academic Distinction: Promote academic excellence in undergraduate and graduate programs.
Student Engagement: Engage students in co-curricular activities that build community and encourage learning.
Employee Elevation: Provide opportunities for faculty and staff to achieve their personal, professional, and spiritual growth.
Faith Formation: Provide faith-based learning opportunities where students and employees are encouraged to grow in their Christian faith.
Community Celebration/Global Influence: Engage students in community and global opportunities with exposure to individuals with diverse life experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds.
Financial Stewardship and Strength: Ensure responsible financial management to enable the MSSON to fulfill its mission and program outcomes.

Code of Ethical and Professional Conduct

Students in the School of Nursing must adhere to standards of conduct specified in the Samford University Student Handbook as well as the Samford University Student Guide to Academic Integrity, and certain standards of behavior appropriate for all health professionals. Students shall comply with legal, moral, and legislative standards that determine acceptable behavior of the nurse. Noncompliance may be cause for suspension/dismissal from the nursing school and denial of permission by individual state boards of nursing to take the NCLEX-RN examination or be approved as an advanced practice nurse.

Students documented to have demonstrated unethical, unprofessional, or unsafe conduct merit immediate probation or dismissal from the nursing school. Grievances, which result from students failing to adhere to appropriate personal and professional conduct, will be considered by utilizing the grievance process in the Moffett & Sanders School of Nursing Student Handbook and the Samford University Catalog.

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NCLEX-RN=National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses

School of Nursing Expenses

In addition to tuition, fees, and room and board costs, undergraduate students are responsible for other costs associated with nursing courses. Costs include books and other required course materials, a physical examination, required immunizations, background check, compliance account, personal laptop computer, and required health insurance. Additional expenses for undergraduates include costs associated with application for licensure. Students are responsible for providing transportation to and from clinical experiences and parking costs at some clinical sites.

Student Health Insurance

Students in the School of Nursing are required to provide proof of existing health insurance coverage on an annual basis. Failure to provide evidence of insurance may result in the student being automatically enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) and their student account charged for coverage. Eligible Samford students can explore the plan and enroll by visiting https://samford.myahpcare.com.

International Students: Based upon federal regulations and university policy, all F and J visa holders are required to carry insurance that meets certain coverage requirements. Information about specific policy carriers, minimum coverage, and premium costs is available from the Office of Global Engagement at (205) 726-4334.

Liability Insurance

Professional liability insurance is provided by Samford University. Personal professional liability insurance for clinical practice, while not required, is highly recommended for all nursing students.

Clinical Resources

Clinical experiences for the School of Nursing are provided in Birmingham-area hospitals and selected community health clinics and settings. All clinical facilities are accredited by the appropriate agencies. In addition, a wide variety of agencies are utilized for graduate student experiences including, but not limited to primary care facilities, schools of nursing, acute care facilities, and managed care organizations.

Required Health Data

The student must have completed and submitted all necessary documentation required by the university, the School of Nursing, and all clinical agencies before starting clinical courses. The following health data must be current:

Health Form: Prior to starting a clinical course, undergraduate students must have a completed College of Health Sciences health form on file.
Immunization Form: Prior to starting a clinical course, undergraduate students must complete all pages of the School of Nursing immunization form and upload it to their compliance account.
Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification: BLS is a requirement for all clinical nursing courses. The School of Nursing does not accept online courses. Certification must be updated every two years. This certification must be obtained through the American Heart Association. This certification must include one-rescuer and two-rescuer cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) of adult, child, and infant. Evidence of a current card issued by the American Heart Association is required. Initial BLS Certification is provided for all students during their first clinical semester.
Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Immunity: Each student must submit evidence of two MMR vaccinations or a positive titer for all three components. If the titer is negative, the student must get a booster and re-titer. If a student refuses the vaccine, a waiver must be completed, signed, and filed.
Varicella (Chicken Pox): Students who have not had the chicken pox must complete the two-step varicella vaccine or provide evidence of a positive titer. If the titer is negative, the student must repeat vaccination series and re-titer. If a student refuses the vaccine, a waiver must be completed, signed, and filed.
Influenza Immunization: Each student must submit evidence of an influenza immunization, annually, in the fall semester.
Hepatitis B: The School of Nursing requires each student to take the three-step Hepatitis B vaccine or provide evidence of a positive titer. If the titer is negative, the student must repeat vaccination series and re-titer. University Health Services offers the vaccine, or the student may consult a physician or local health department for the vaccination. If a student refuses the vaccination series, a waiver form must be completed, signed, and filed.
Mantoux Tuberculin Skin Test: The School of Nursing requires each student to have an initial, two-step Mantoux tuberculin skin test, TSpot, or Quantiferon Gold. No annual tuberculin skin test is required. Students who test positive must meet current CDC guidelines.
Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis: Each student must provide evidence of Tdap vaccination within the past ten years. The Tdap must remain up to date until the student completes the program.
Drug Testing and Background Checks: All undergraduate students are required to submit to drug testing and a background check prior to beginning clinical experiences and an additional drug screen at the beginning of the senior year. Additionally, all students may be tested for cause or clinical affiliation requirements. Students are responsible for all costs associated with the background check and any “for-cause” drug testing. (See School of Nursing Student Handbook for Substance Abuse Policy and Procedure.)
Additional Requirements: Clinical agencies may place additional health requirements on students affiliating with that agency. Students will be notified when applicable.