Lincoln Memorial University, CHI Saint Joseph Health Host Virtual Signing Ceremony to Finalize Nursing Classes Agreement
Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) Interim President Jason McConnell, DBA and Tammy Dean, DNP, RN, CNE, dean of the LMU-Caylor School of Nursing (LMU-CSON) along with R. Jay Stubblefield, PhD, executive vice president for academic affairs, met virtually with leaders from CHI Saint Joseph Health to finalize an agreement between the University and CHI Saint Joseph Health to provide nursing classes in Lexington, Kentucky beginning this fall.
Earlier this year, McConnell announced plans for the LMU-CSON to bring one of its proven programs to Lexington.
LMU received Kentucky Board of Nursing approval to have nursing classes on the campus of Saint Joseph Hospital. The University is enrolling students in its Bachelor of Science in Nursing program with an August 2024 start date.
On April 10, Anthony Houston, Ed.D., FACHE, market president of CHI Saint Joseph Health, and McConnell signed an agreement enabling the LMU Caylor School of Nursing to conduct classes at Saint Joseph Hospital.
McConnell shared his excitement regarding the partnership, emphasizing, "We're truly excited about this relationship and are eager to move forward,” he said. "Being part of this endeavor is truly remarkable and presents significant opportunities for both parties."
“Lincoln Memorial University is thrilled to partner with Saint Joseph Lexington to bring our BSN program to its campus,” said Dean. “Educating nurses who remain in their community to work is the goal of this endeavor.”
“We’re thrilled to have signed our agreement with Lincoln Memorial University and cannot wait to get the program up and running,” Houston said. “We’re really excited about the great work to come from both of our institutions to bring this program to Lexington and central Kentucky.”
Melissa Bennett, DHA, RN, NEA-BC, FACHE, chief nursing executive for CHI Saint Joseph Health, credited collaboration by nursing leaders at both institutions. “This began many months ago with discussions about how we could work together to make sure we have the right resources to provide care to our patients,” Bennett said. “Their vision of coming together to start this program has been a lot of work and great outcomes where we are now in a spot where we are going to be able to offer this program.”
The BSN program prepares candidates to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam to become licensed Registered Nurses (RN) and it is comprised of 122 credit hours, including 62 general education credit hours and 60 nursing credit hours. Once the general education prerequisites are completed, the LMU BSN program can be completed on an accelerated path in 16 months.
View the virtual signing here: https://bit.ly/3xKXmb6
LMU’s previous CSON announcement here: https://www.lmunet.edu/news/2024/01/cson_lexington
Lincoln Memorial University is a values-based learning community dedicated to providing educational experiences in the liberal arts and professional studies. The main campus is located in Harrogate, Tennessee. For more information about the undergraduate and graduate programs available at LMU, contact the Office of Admissions at 423-869-6280 or email at admissions@LMUnet.edu.
CHI Saint Joseph Health, part of CommonSpirit Health, is one of the largest and most comprehensive health systems in the Commonwealth of Kentucky with 100 locations in 20 counties, including hospitals, physician groups, clinics, primary care centers, specialty institutes, home health agencies and an ambulatory Care Center. The hospitals in CHI Saint Joseph Health are Flaget Memorial Hospital, Saint Joseph Berea, Saint Joseph East, Saint Joseph Hospital, Saint Joseph Jessamine, Saint Joseph London, Saint Joseph Mount Sterling, and Women’s Hospital at Saint Joseph East. In total, the health system serves patients in 35 counties statewide. CHI Saint Joseph Health is dedicated to providing a wide array of services toward a goal of building a healthier future for all. CHI Saint Joseph Health embodies a strong mission and faith-based heritage and works through local partnerships to expand access to care in the communities it serves.