School of Nursing

Faculty

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

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

MARY NEHLS (2013)
  Associate Professor of Nursing
A.D.N., 1990, Kankakee Community College
B.S.N., 2010, Olivet Nazarene University
M.S.N., 2012, Olivet Nazarene University
D.N.P., 2020, 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

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

QUEEN KISOSO (2019)
  Assistant Professor of Nursing
B.S.N., 2014, Olivet Nazarene University
M.S.N., 2016, Olivet Nazarene University
M.B.A. (Healthcare Informatics studies), Lewis University

KAREN SMITH (2020)
  Associate Professor, BSN Program Track
B.S.N., 1995, Ball State University
M.S.N., 2020, Western Governors University

APRIL CLARK (2021)
  Associate Professor of Nursing
B.S.N., 2008, California Baptist University
M.N.E., 2010, University of Phoenix
Ph.D., 2021, Capella University
 

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.

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

A 2.75 cumulative GPA and a satisfactory score on the HESI-A2 entrance exam must be attained before taking NURS 202 - Introduction to Professional Nursing . 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.

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.

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.

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 School 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 School of Nursing Student Handbook.

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

The School 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 School and the Center for Academic Excellence. Please contact the School about physical expectations.

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 accelerated BSN, RN-BSN, and RN-MSN program tracks, as well as all MSN program tracks, are described in the School of Graduate and Continuing Studies section of the catalog.

Programs

• Nursing Major, B.S.N.