Department of Nursing

Faculty

TIFFANY GREER (2005)
  Director of Nursing Programs; Associate Professor of Nursing
B.S.N., 1997, Olivet Nazarene University
M.S.N., 2001, Governors State University
Ph.D., 2017, Capella University

LINDA DAVISON (1984)
  Director of Nursing Accreditation and Assessment; Professor of Nursing
Diploma, 1971, J.F. Burnham School of Nursing
B.S.N., 1979, Governors State University
M.S.N., 1983, Governors State University
M.B.A., 1989, Olivet Nazarene University
Ed.D., 2006, Nova Southeastern University

YVETTE ROSE (2008)
  Associate Professor of Nursing
B.S.N., 1998, Olivet Nazarene University
M.S.N., 2007, Governors State University
D.N.P., 2015, Governors State University

BROOKE PIPER (2011)
  Associate Professor of Nursing
B.S.N., 2005, Olivet Nazarene University
M.S.N., 2009, University of Phoenix
D.N.P., 2018, Capella University

MARY NEHLS (2013)
  Assistant Professor of Nursing
A.D.N., 1990, Kankakee Community College
B.S.N., 2010, Olivet Nazarene University
M.S.N., 2012, Olivet Nazarene University
Doctoral Studies, Grand Canyon University

DEANNA VANKUREN (2013)
  Associate Professor of Nursing
A.D.N., 1995, Kankakee Community College
B.S.N., 2010, Olivet Nazarene University
M.S.N., 2012, Olivet Nazarene University
D.N.P., 2016, Governor’s State University

TAMMY MYLCRAINE (2015)
  Assistant Professor of Nursing
LPN, 1983, Rockford School of Practical Nursing
A.D.N., 1992, Parkland College
B.S.N., 2011, Olivet Nazarene University
M.S.N., 2012, Olivet Nazarene University

NANCY PYLE (2015)
  BSN Program Director; Assistant Professor of Nursing
B.S.N., 1978, Ball State University
M.S.N., 2011, Olivet Nazarene University

CATHERINE DILLINGER (2016)
  Assistant Professor of Nursing
A.A.S., 2009, Joliet Junior College
B.S.N., 2013, Purdue University
M.S.N., 2016, Olivet Nazarene University
Doctoral Studies, Capella University

LINDA DYBAS (2017)
  Assistant Professor of Nursing
A.D.N., 1990, Joliet Junior College
B.S.N., 2012, University of St. Francis
M.S.N., 2017, University of St. Francis

JOELLA TABAKA (2017)
  ABSN Program Director; Assistant Professor of Nursing
A.D.N., 2005, College of Lake County
B.S.N., 2011, Kaplan University
M.S.N., 2013, Kaplan University
Doctoral studies, Northcentral University

MELANIE BLOOMQUIST (2018)
  Assistant Professor of Nursing
A.D.N., 2007, Kankakee Community College
M.S.N., 2014, Grand Canyon University

SHANA TESKE (2018)
  Assistant Professor of Nursing
B.S.N., 2009, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
M.S.N., 2015, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

JOY OGDEN (2018)
  Assistant Professor of Nursing
B.S.N., 1974, Northern Illinois University
M.S.N., 2011, Olivet Nazarene University

RALPH BARZDITIS (2018)
  Assistant Professor of Nursing
A.D.N., 1991, Joliet Junior College
B.S.N., 2013, Olivet Nazarene University
M.S.N., 2015, Olivet Nazarene University

Students are exposed to a variety of learning experiences, ranging from health promotion and maintenance to restorative care during illness. They work in a variety of health care agencies. These experiences help to broaden the student’s view of employment opportunities.

The nursing program is based on the belief that the liberal arts are an essential foundation for nurses as they study person, health, the environment, and nursing.

The program has approval from the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation and is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

Kappa Sigma is the local chapter of the International Honor Society for Nurses, Sigma Theta Tau. Membership is based on scholastic and leadership achievement.

The baccalaureate nursing program has four tracks: the traditional four-year track, the RN-BSN completion track, the RN-MSN track, and the accelerated BSN track (an approximately 16-month program primarily for individuals who already have a degree in another field).

The RN-BSN completion track, which is exclusively for registered nurses who have graduated from an associate degree nursing program or a diploma nursing program, the RN-MSN track, and the accelerated BSN track are described in the School of Graduate and Continuing Studies section of the catalog. Graduate programs in nursing are also described in the School of Graduate and Continuing Studies section.

Undergraduate nursing majors work toward a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. They are prepared to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam, to practice as generalists and to pursue graduate work in nursing.

The Nursing curriculum builds on a broad liberal arts foundation and is supported by behavioral and life science courses. Nursing studies progress from a wellness emphasis to life-threatening situations, while addressing clients as individuals, families, and communities.

A 2.75 cumulative GPA and a satisfactory score on the HESI-A2 must be attained before taking NURS 202 - Introduction to Professional Nursing in the traditional four-year track. This entrance exam can only be taken three times to be considered for NURS-202.  Formal application to the Nursing major is made in NURS 202. Admission requirements for the Nursing major include completion of all prerequisite courses, and a cumulative GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale. Students must submit evidence of good health, in accordance with Illinois Department of Health regulations for health care agency personnel, and complete a criminal background check. The Department of Nursing will make reasonable accommodation for those students who have special health problems or disabilities when such accommodation is possible as determined by the Department.  Talk to Department as to physical expectations.

Transfer students in the traditional four-year track are accepted after all qualified Olivet students have been placed. Students wishing to transfer must meet the same nursing admission criteria as students who began their college work at Olivet.

Transportation to and from clinical sites is the responsibility of the student.

Student grades are reviewed each semester. In order to progress to the next nursing level, students must receive a grade of “C” or higher in each nursing course, and a grade of “C” or higher in each of the supporting courses. A cumulative grade point average of 2.75 must be maintained to progress in nursing courses.

Students may not repeat more than one nursing course which has a lab and/or clinical. Students may not enroll in any nursing course more than two times.

Whether nursing courses were taken at Olivet or another school, the policy for admission/progression of the Department of Nursing will be followed.

Only two science courses may be taken twice to be considered for admission.

Graduation requirements include passing the HESI RN Exit Exam at the required level listed in the Department of Nursing Student Handbook.

Students are required to complete HESI assessments in selected courses as outlined in the Department of Nursing Student Handbook.

Programs

• Nursing Major, B.S.N.