Student Affairs

Student Support and Advocacy

Vanderbilt University School of Nursing’s Office for Student Affairs is responsible for the organization and oversight of a comprehensive student affairs program that supports the school’s mission, meets the needs of a diverse population and fosters student engagement. The office coordinates and oversees policies, programs and services that support non-academic student success. Office staff and leadership coordinate and advise all student nursing organizations, develop and monitor protocols that foster and support scholarly activities, coordinate and manage community outreach and advocacy efforts and oversee the TN Board of Nursing application process and NCLEX registration for prespecialty students.

Meet the Team

Dr. Feylyn M. Lewis
Assistant Dean for Student Affairs

Feylyn M. Lewis, PhD, is the primary student advocate and referral source in responding directly to non-academic student matters. This role requires knowledge of university resources and familiarity with state and federal regulations pertaining to management of student records, privacy, and safety (e.g., FERPA, Americans with Disabilities Act, Title IX, Campus Safety & Security Act, etc.). She provides communication related to student morale and general welfare to senior leadership. Dean Lewis works in collaboration with VUSN faculty and leadership, including the Associate Dean for Strategic Enrollment, Associate Dean for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Senior Associate Dean of Academics, and Dean Pamela Jeffries. She is responsible for providing vision, leadership and strategic planning for student affairs programming that delivers support services, student life and community engagement.

Allie Noote
Associate Director, Academic & Educational Support

Allie Noote can assist students who would like to request a meeting with Dean Lewis. Meetings with Dean Lewis can be virtual or in-person. Allie also helps with support Dean Lewis with all things encompassing new student orientation, as well as composites. Allie also assists PreSpecialty students during the RN licensure process, supports student organizations, as well as creating and disseminating the student newsletter each week. Students can also contact Allie if there is an issue with their lab coat or scrubs; however, students should first contact the company directly.

Resources

  • Student Organizations
  • Exposure to Contagions or Health Emergencies

    Blood and Body Fluids

    If a student has an exposure to blood or body fluids (i.e., a needle stick, splash to eyes or mouth, or contact with non-intact skin) during a clinical rotation, these are the steps that should be taken.

    1. Immediate Student Actions Following Exposure
    • Wash the exposed area immediately with soap and water.
    • Flush eyes or mouth with tap water for 15 minutes.
    • Remove contacts immediately if eyes are exposed.
    • Obtain the name, medical record number, and location of the patient source of the exposure. You will give this important information to the Occupational Health Service practitioner at the clinical agency.
    • Notify your clinical supervisor and clinical course coordinator immediately.
    • File a report in the Origami Risk Management System. (https://www.vanderbilt.edu/riskmanagement/) and click on “Report a University Occurrence” on the right Quick Links.
    • Notify Feylyn M. Lewis, Assistant Dean for Student Affairs at feylyn.m.lewis@vanderbilt.eduor by phone at 615.343.3334 or Allie Noote, Associate Program Manager at allie.noote@vanderbilt.edu or by phone at 615.322.2814.
    1. Important Notification and Documentation Procedure

    When On Campus

    • Report in person immediately to the Vanderbilt Occupational Health Clinic (OHC) Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., 6th Floor, Suite 640 of the Medical Arts Building (MAB).
    • When the Vanderbilt Occupational Health Clinic is closed, report immediately to the Vanderbilt Adult Emergency Department for the initial assessment and treatment. Notify OHC by calling 615.936.0955 to report the exposure. This phone is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
    • All exposed students will be referred to the OHC for further evaluation and/or treatment on the next OHC business day. No appointment is necessary.
    • Notify your clinical supervisor and clinical course coordinator immediately.
    • File a report in the Origami Risk Management System. (https://www.vanderbilt.edu/riskmanagement/) and click on “Report a University Occurrence” on the right Quick Links.
    • Notify Feylyn M. Lewis, Assistant Dean for Student Affairs at feylyn.m.lewis@vanderbilt.eduor by phone at 615.343.3334 or Allie Noote, Associate Program Manager at allie.noote@vanderbilt.edu or by phone at 615.322.2814.

    Assessment and Treatment of Your Exposure

    The Occupational Health Service and/or the Vanderbilt Adult Emergency Department will:

    • Document, assess and treat your exposure.
    • Order screening tests from the source (patient) for Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV and, if appropriate, other labs as needed.
    • Occupational Health will follow-up on all lab studies, advise you of the results and provide recommendations for any further treatment.

    When Off Campus

    • Should an exposure occur off campus, follow the agency/facility protocol for OSHA blood borne pathogen emergency treatment.
    • Immediately contact the Vanderbilt Occupational Health Clinic at 615.936.0955 for further instructions and follow-up care. This phone is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
    • Notify your clinical supervisor and clinical course coordinator immediately.
    • File a report in the Origami Risk Management System. (https://www.vanderbilt.edu/riskmanagement/) and click on “Report a University Occurrence” on the right Quick Links.
    • Notify Feylyn M. Lewis, Assistant Dean for Student Affairs at feylyn.m.lewis@vanderbilt.eduor by phone at 615.343.3334 or Allie Noote, Associate Program Manager at allie.noote@vanderbilt.edu or by phone at 615.322.2814.

    Respiratory and Other Non-Bloodborne Pathogens (such as TB, lice, meningitis, measles, COVID-19, and others)

    When On Campus

    • Report to Vanderbilt Student Health for an assessment or guidance. Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Saturday, 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. 615.322.2427.
    • Notify your clinical supervisor and clinical course coordinator immediately.
    • File a report in the Origami Risk Management System. (https://www.vanderbilt.edu/riskmanagement/) and click on “Report a University Occurrence” on the right Quick Links.
    • Notify Feylyn M. Lewis, Assistant Dean for Student Affairs at feylyn.m.lewis@vanderbilt.eduor by phone at 615.343.3334 or Allie Noote, Associate Program Manager at allie.noote@vanderbilt.edu or by phone at 615.322.2814.

    Assessment and Treatment of Your Exposure

    Student Health will

    • Document, assess and treat your exposure.
    • Order screening tests from the source (patient) for Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV and, if appropriate, other labs as needed.
    • Student Health will follow-up on all lab studies, advise you of the results and provide recommendations for any further treatment.

    When Off Campus

    • Student should call Vanderbilt Student Health to speak with a provider at 615.322.2427. This phone is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
    • Notify your clinical supervisor and clinical course coordinator immediately.
    • File a report in the Origami Risk Management System. (https://www.vanderbilt.edu/riskmanagement/) and click on “Report a University Occurrence” on the right Quick Links.
    • Notify Feylyn M. Lewis, Assistant Dean for Student Affairs at feylyn.m.lewis@vanderbilt.eduor by phone at 615.343.3334 or Allie Noote, Associate Program Manager at allie.noote@vanderbilt.edu or by phone at 615.322.2814.

    Occupational Exposure Charges

    • If charges are incurred from Occupational Health or a hospital other than Vanderbilt, students should allow their personal health insurance to be billed. Students are not eligible for worker’s compensation.
    • The Vanderbilt School of Nursing will pay for any charges that are not covered by insurance. Invoices for remaining balances should be sent to the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs for payment.
    • Students should not pay the invoices directly.
    • Notify Feylyn M. Lewis, Assistant Dean for Student Affairs at feylyn.m.lewis@vanderbilt.eduor by phone at 615.343.3334 or Allie Noote, Associate Program Manager at allie.noote@vanderbilt.edu or by phone at 615.322.2814.

    In The Event Of A Serious Health Concern Or An Emergency

    For life-threatening emergency call 911 immediately.

    • For non-life-threatening health situations, report to Vanderbilt Student Health for an assessment or guidance. Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Saturday, 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. 615.322.2427. If closed, report to the Vanderbilt Adult Emergency Department for the initial assessment and treatment.
    • Notify Feylyn M. Lewis, Assistant Dean for Student Affairs at feylyn.m.lewis@vanderbilt.eduor by phone at 615.343.3334 or Allie Noote, Associate Program Manager at allie.noote@vanderbilt.edu or by phone at 615.322.2814.
  • Licensure and Certification

    Registered Nurse (RN) Licensure

    Students are eligible to apply to the National Council on Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN®) to become a Registered Nurse (RN) upon meeting the requirements specified by the Tennessee State Board of Nursing and upon recommendation by the faculty and the Dean. The following requirements must be met: (a) completion of the PreSpecialty portion of the curriculum; (b) good academic standing (semester and cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or above); and (c) no final course grade below a B-, and no Incomplete grades. Students who are ineligible to take the NCLEX-RN® after completing the appropriate sequence of courses will not be allowed to enroll for specialty-level courses. For more information go to TN Board of Nursing.

    Students who are not Registered Nurses are required to take examinations to prepare for the NCLEX-RN®. An assessment test is administered to students during the last semester of the PreSpecialty level.

    Students who are not successful on the first writing of the NCLEX-RN® are subject to withdrawal from specialty level courses with a clinical component. The student cannot attend clinical practica until the R.N. license is obtained. The program of study for full-time students will be altered because of a delay in being able to participate in clinical courses. Additional semester(s) will be required to complete clinical courses.

    Reporting NCLEX-RN® results: Students must notify their Specialty Director and Senior Associate Dean for Academics of their NCLEX-RN® results within 48 hours of receiving results (pass or fail). A copy of their RN License must be submitted to CastleBranch. Students who fail the NCLEX-RN® will not be allowed to participate in any specialty-level clinical courses until after they have successfully passed the NCLEX-RN®. Failure to notify the Specialty Director and Senior Associate Dean for Academics of failure of the NCLEX-RN® within 48 hours of receiving results will result in immediate dismissal from the school. Students who fail must make an appointment with the Senior Associate Dean for Academics or Assistant Dean for Academics and must submit a plan of study for preparation for the NCLEX-RN® second taking.

    Preparation for the NCLEX-RN® includes but is not limited to:

    1. NCLEX-RN® style exam questions and strategies for success are incorporated throughout the curriculum.
    2. All students will complete the NCLEX-RN® Review Course at the end of semester three.
    3. All students will complete a cumulative curriculum assessment exam. Students not achieving the benchmark score on the assessment exam are considered high-risk for not passing the NCLEX-RN® on the first attempt. For these students, individualized counseling and study plan development will occur based on personal learning preferences, content strengths and weaknesses, and confidence taking standardized exams.

    Students who have test anxiety when taking standardized exams are encouraged to schedule an appointment with the University Counseling Center for evaluation and planning well before taking the NCLEX-RN®.

    The PreSpecialty curriculum engages students with the theoretical knowledge and practical experience necessary for success on the NCLEX-RN®. However, it is each student’s responsibility to determine their mastery of the information and appropriately prepare to take the NCLEX-RN®.

    Each summer, a mandatory session is held by the Senior Associate Dean for Academics for students who anticipate taking the NCLEX-RN® during the fall semester. This session reviews student eligibility for taking the NCLEX-RN®, advises students regarding preparation, and provides students with all necessary forms for registering for NCLEX-RN®.

    The NCLEX-RN® is administered locally in Nashville at the Pearson Professional Center, Riverview Office Bldg., 545 Mainstream Drive, Suite 410, Nashville, TN 37228; Phone 615.255.8672. The NCLEX-RN® may also be taken at an official testing center in any state.

    Out of State RN Licensure

    It is recommended that all students receive their initial RN licensure in Tennessee. Students wishing to obtain an RN license in a state other than Tennessee will need to consult the State Board of Nursing in that state for specific application requirements. Applying in a state other than Tennessee may prolong the application approval process.

    National Certification

    Graduates of the MSN and Post-Master’s Certificate programs are encouraged to become certified in their specialty and should consult their specialty directors for details. Certification is offered through several professional nursing organizations. Graduates of each specialty are eligible to sit for the certification exams specific to their specialty. For more information, please visit the Web site specific to your specialty:

    Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

    Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

    Emergency Nurse Practitioner

    Family Nurse Practitioner

    * Informatics

    * Healthcare Leadership

    Neonatal Nurse Practitioner

    Nurse-Midwifery

    Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

    Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

    Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (Family)

    Women's Health Nurse Practitioner 

     

    * Graduates of the Nursing and Health Care Leadership and Nursing Informatics specialties are not required to obtain Advanced Practice Registered Nurse licensure. 

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