History

The School of Nursing at UAM was initiated to meet the demand for registered nurses in Southeast Arkansas.  The first program, established in 1968, was the Associate Degree Nursing Program (ADN). This program remained accredited by the National League for Nursing (NLN) until its closure in 1992. The program was reexamined and a change clearly needed to respond to the health needs of the community in the 21^st century and to prepare nurses to:

1. Deliver comprehensive nursing care in diverse settings,
2. Collaborate effectively in the health care environment, and
3. Pursue graduate study.

Therefore, in 1992, the ADN program was closed and the baccalaureate (BSN) program was established to satisfy the new mission of the School of Nursing and to meet the demands of healthcare reform regionally as well as nationally. The baccalaureate nursing program has been accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission since 1997.

In summer 2002, the RN to BSN Advanced Placement Program was initiated to offer advanced placement for registered nurses who hold the Associate Degree of Applied Science in Nursing or a diploma in nursing from a hospital-based RN program while they complete the BSN degree. After completion of prerequisite general education and nursing support courses, the program can be completed in one year with class attendance of only one day per week in the fall and spring semesters. Clinical experiences are completed with a preceptor in select clinical sites at times convenient to the student and preceptor. The flexibility of this program should  prove to be attractive to registered nurses who wish to keep working while completing the BSN degree.

To meet the needs for LPN to RN Associate Degree prepared Registered Nurses, an 18-month program was started in summer 2001.  In summer 2002, the LPN to RN program leading to the Associate of Applied Science in Nursing Degree (AASN) was changed from an 18-month to a 12-month fast track program. After completion of prerequisite general education and nursing support courses, the LPN can complete the fast track program in one year. This change in the program was designed to make the program more desirable for the working LPN, to meet the needs of area health care agencies for registered nurses prepared at the associate degree entry level, and to make it more equitable to similar successful programs being offered nationwide.

All of the programs offered in the Division of Nursing are approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nurse Examiners. Upon graduation, the student is qualified to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) to become a registered nurse.