Nursing Program

Welcome to the Bethel University Department of Nursing.

We are so glad you are interested in becoming a nurse and are giving consideration to our Nursing program. Should you decide to earn your Baccalaureate of Science degree in nursing at Bethel, you will have the opportunity to develop into a nurse well-prepared to begin practice in a respected and fulfilling profession, and to provide patient care in an ever changing and complex healthcare environment. At Bethel, we have a proud tradition of graduating outstanding nurses who are highly sought after – nurses who have a positive impact on the quality of patient care and possess the ability to care for patients at any point along the healthcare continuum, nurses who are leaders, and nurses who are ready to pursue graduate education.

Our faculty approach nursing education as a collaborative endeavor. They work together to ensure all our students receive the assistance needed to realize their full potential as nursing professionals. Classroom, laboratory, and clinical faculty work as a team to provide our students with a seamless learning experience based on a three-stage instructional process. This process begins by having students review material to be covered in the upcoming class. Then, class time is spent discussing the reviewed material, answering questions, explaining concepts, and clarifying understanding. Following the class, students move to the nursing laboratory on campus to demonstrate comprehension of the material covered in class and to practice applying what they have learned. In the Lab, new knowledge is integrated with previously learned content in order to progressively develop each student’s competence and confidence. Finally, students go onsite at an actual healthcare clinical facility to practice what they have learned—both newly and previously mastered material—in administering patient care under tutelage of the faculty. This three-stage instructional process is repeated throughout the program to prepare students to provide evidence-based, high-quality, safe patient care.

Come join us! We’d love to help you become a nurse.

Delecia Parker, DNP, MSN, RN
Director for the Department of Nursing

As a nursing student at Bethel, you can be guaranteed we will do everything we can to help you to become one of our outstanding graduates. And as one of our exceptional graduates, you can expect to be highly recruited by local healthcare employers.

To learn more about completing a traditional Bachelor of Science degree or about the RN to BSN program, visit the Nursing Program Academic Information page. 

Bethel University's Nursing Program achieved a 100 percent first time pass rate for the 2023 graduating class.  The four-year pass rate for the classes of 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 was 90 percent.  Bethel's Nursing Program has been rated #15 of the 52 schools of nursing in Tennessee.

Open to all high school students. This year Bethel's Junior Nurse camp will be offered on either June 25th or July 16th, 2024, from 9:00-3:00. Students will have the opportunity to learn more about the Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Bethel, meet our professors and staff, tour the campus and see the nursing facilities. In addition, you will participate in interactive activities with some of our current nursing students. Come discover and see how your Future of Nursing begins here.  Registration fee is $15 and includes lunch. Registration fees should be mailed to:

Bethel University Department of Nursing

ATTN: Mrs. Traci Shepherd

325 Cherry AVE

You can access the link to the application using the link below.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScfXnRfHJPNKV0BD7C4FKwHDdW1g890CSlyezlkYjrcjFQrAQ/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0&pli=1

For more information, contact Delecia Parker or Traci Shepherd:

Dr. Delecia Parker                   Mrs. Traci Shepherd
Director of Nursing                       Simulation lab coordinator/Admin. Assistant
(731) 352-6477                            (731) 352-6466
parkerd@bethelu.edu                  shepherdt@bethelu.edu

If you would like to come in a speak with someone, you may find us at Bethel University Department of Nursing, 647 Stonewall North, McKenzie, TN 38201.

Nursing Line: (731) 352-6499
Fax: (731) 352-4589

Please note that the Bethel University Nursing Program meets the requirements for professional licensure in Tennessee. Students seeking licensure in another state are responsible for contacting the appropriate licensing board in that state to verify Bethel's program complies with the requirements.