General Purpose

To support instruction, study, and research at B.S.N, M.S.N., and Ph.D. levels in Nursing.

Subject Description

The program emphasizes study and research in nursing "as both an applied science and an art with courses encompassing both theoretical and clinical nursing practice." The BSN program focuses on preparation of professional nurses as generalists. The MSN program enables students to acquire clinical expertise and knowledge in one of five specialty areas: adult health nursing, family nurse practitioner, parent-child nursing, mental health nursing, or nursing administration. Graduates with the MSN are "prepared to function as teachers, managers, or clinical specialists." The Ph.D program prepares "nursing scholars capable of integrating research, theory, and practice into their roles as researchers, educators, and/or administrators." (Information taken from the Graduate Catalog 1992-93, College of Nursing Self-Study Report 1983, College of Nursing Program Review Reports 1993).

Overlap With Other Subjects

Nursing overlaps with psychology, sociology, chemistry, biochemistry, education (particulary health education), business administration, nutrition, biology, and microbiology.

Languages Collected and Excluded

Only English language materials are collected.

Geographic Parameters

Publications from the United States are collected primarily. Materials from Great Britain, Canada, and Australia are collected secondarily, and other areas are considered selectively.

Chronological Scope

Along with some works on the history of nursing, the primary emphasis is on current research.

Dates of Publication

Emphasis is on current publications; classic titles are acquired selectively.

Retrospective Acquisitions

Low priority; However, exceptions are made for the purchase of microfilmed backfiles of journals, acquisition of major research collections, and to fill in gaps in the collection.

Types of Materials Collected and Excluded

With the general exception of study guides and pocket books, scholarly publications of all types are collected. Publications from the National League for Nursing and the American Nurses Association are a top priority.

Formats of Materials Collected and Excluded

All formats, including loose-leaf services, computer files, CD-ROM, video, and microforms, are considered.

Cooperation with Other Libraries

No formal cooperative collection development agreements are in place. Participation in the Knoxville Area Health Sciences Library Consortium (KAHSLC) enables UT students to use the collections of area hospital libraries.

Alternative Access to Resources

Interlibrary loan provides access to most resources not available on the UT campus. Participation in the Knoxville Area Health Sciences Library Consortium (KAHSLC) does enable UT students to use the collections of area hospital libraries. Membership in KAHSLC also means that UT may borrow materials free of charge from other member libraries. Frequent courier runs between U.T. Libraries and Preston Medical Library at U.T. Hospital provide an efficient document delivery link between the two collections. UT may also borrow materials free of charge from all UT System Libraries which includes the University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center in Memphis. Reciprocal agreements exist with ninety-three other libraries so that materials may be borrowed at no charge.

Position Responsible for Collection

Science Reference Librarian, Lana Dixon

Corresponding Fund

Nursing

Other Factors

None

May 24, 2002