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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.
Curricular Options
The Moffett & Sanders School of Nursing offers a unique curricular approach that allows students several choices in pursuing their graduate education. These options are:
- A.D.N./A.S.N. to M.S.N. - Associate degree to master’s degree.*
- B.S.N. to M.S.N. - Bachelor’s degree to master’s degree.*
- B.S.N. to D.N.P. - Bachelor’s degree to doctoral degree.
- M.S.N. to D.N.P. - Master’s degree to doctoral degree.
- Post-Graduate APRN Certificate (APRN=Advanced Practice Registered Nurse)
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*The ADN/ASN and MSN programs are under review and subject to change/closure/replacement. They are currently closed to new admits.
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.
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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 Moffett & Sanders School of Nursing Graduate Student Handbook, 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.
Students documented to have demonstrated unethical, unprofessional, or unsafe conduct merit immediate probation or dismissal from the nursing school.
School of Nursing Expenses
In addition to tuition, fees, and room and board costs (if applicable), students are responsible for other costs associated with nursing courses. Costs include uniforms/lab coats, books, medical equipment, yearly physical examinations, required immunizations, required drug testing, background checks, certification in basic life support, a personal laptop computer (with webcam and microphone), testing software, software for electronic medical records, and required health insurance. Students are responsible for providing transportation to and from clinical experiences.
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.
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. Nurse anesthesia students are not covered under the Samford University insurance and must purchase their own professional liability coverage through the AANA insurance program.
Clinical Resources
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, or registering for graduate courses, students must have a completed College of Health Sciences health form on file.
- 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 or the American Red Cross is required.
- Measles, Mumps, and Rubella: Each student must submit proof of immunity or documentation of the vaccination.
- Varicella (Chicken Pox): Each student must submit proof of immunity or documentation of the vaccination.
- Influenza Immunization: Each student must submit an influenza immunization, annually, in the fall semester.
- Hepatitis B: Each student must submit proof of immunity or documentation of the vaccination.
- Mantoux Tuberculin Test: The School of Nursing requires each student to have a tuberculin test upon admission. Students who test positive must meet current CDC guidelines.
- Tdap: Each student must submit documentation of the vaccination or booster within the last 10 years.
- Drug Testing and Background Checks: All graduate nursing students are drug tested and background checked at the beginning of the program. Nurse anesthesia students are required to submit to a background check prior to admission. Additionally, all students may be tested “for cause” or to fulfill clinical affiliation requirements. Students are responsible for all costs associated with the background check. (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. Clinical agencies and/or faculty will notify students when applicable. If a student refuses a vaccination, a waiver form must be completed, signed, and submitted.
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