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Progression In The Nursing Sequence

A minimum grade of “C” in each nursing course is required for progression in the nursing sequence.

Readmission

A student who discontinues the nursing sequence for any reason must petition the School of Nursing Admissions Committee for readmission into the nursing program. Students are permitted only one readmission. Acceptance for readmission is based on availability of space, documentation of corrected deficiencies, and approval of the nursing faculty. Students who are readmitted are accountable for the degree requirements in force at the time of readmission.

Admission (Advanced Placement)

Registered Nurses (RNs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), and Licensed Psychiatric Technical Nurses (LPTNs) may quality for advanced placement within the BSN clinical course sequence. Verification of a current valid, unrestricted Arkansas RN, LPN, or LPTN license is required.

RNs with an Associate Degree or Diploma may apply for advanced placement in the BSN program. The RN will receive credit for 33 semester hours for NURS 311V Concepts in Nursing Care I, NURS 332V Concepts in Nursing Care II, and NURS 444V Concepts in Nursing Care III.  The 33 hours of credit will be held in escrow. The student will receive credit for these courses upon successful completion of the program. Additionally, applicants who have graduated nursing school for more than 24 months will be required to take the 1 credit Basic Skills Check-Off course to update clinical skills. RNs complete the same general education and support courses as students enrolled in the generic BSN program but have a specified program for completing theory and clinical nursing course requirements. A letter of recommendation from a current or most recent RN supervisor in a nursing position is required of all applicants.

LPNs/LPTNs may apply for advanced placement in the BSN program. LPNs/LPTNs may receive credit for 11 semester hours for NURS 311V Concepts in Nursing Care I if they have graduated from LPN/LPTN school within 24 months. After 24 months, a validation examination must be passed with a score of 74 or better to obtain advanced placement credit for NURS 311V. The syllabus for NURS 311V may be purchased prior to the validation exam for purposes of studying independently for the examination. LPN/LPTNs are required to submit a letter of recommendation from their nursing school and from the most recent or present nursing position RN supervisor. The validation examination may be taken only once. The application process for admission into UAM and the nursing program must be completed before validation examinations may be taken. Applicants seeking admission to the nursing program through advanced placement should meet with the Division Chair. All nursing faculty are included in the evaluation of the advanced placement student and make recommendations regarding advance placement to the Division Chair.

Transfer Credit

Students seeking transfer credit from another institution must submit course descriptions and transcripts to the School of Nursing and meet with the Division Chair.  All faculty are included in the evaluation and placement of transfer students in the nursing sequence and make recommendations regarding transfer of nursing credit to the Division Chair. Standardized testing and validation of skills may be required based on the evaluation of the transcript.

Conviction of a Crime

The Arkansas State Board of Nursing requires a criminal background check by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and by the Arkansas State Police for graduates of nursing schools. The Arkansas State Board of Nursing has the authority to deny application for nurse licensure to any person who has been convicted of a crime. A student who has been convicted of a crime should schedule an appointment with the Chair of the School of Nursing.

Expenses

In addition to the usual student fees and expenses, nursing students can expect the following additional costs: uniforms, professional equipment and supplies, professional workshop fees, standardized examinations, licensure examination review seminar, state licensing examination costs, criminal background checks, supplementary book costs, and travel. Use of multiple clinical sites within a one hundred mile radius of the main campus may require overnight travel by students. These trips are mandatory for completion of the program. All expenses for food, lodging, and travel are the responsibility of the individual student.

Exit Examination Requirement

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (AASN: LPN-RN fast track) degree students are required to take a School of Nursing faculty-selected, standardized, exit examination to determine readiness to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The score recommended by the agency that prepares the exit examination will be required of students for successful completion of degree requirements. If the recommended exit examination score is not achieved, the student will not receive a transcript or diploma, signifying completion of degree requirements, until the required score is achieved with subsequent testing(s) and/or remedial work is complete to the satisfaction of the Chair of the School of Nursing. If the student does not achieve the required score on the second attempt to successfully complete the exit examination, an NCLEX-RN review course designated by the Chair of the DN will be required before a third or subsequent attempt to successfully complete the exit examination will be allowed. Required retesting after the first attempt to successfully complete the exit examination and/or remedial work (including the NCLEX-RN review course) costs will be at the student’s expense. The exit examination requirement does not apply to the RN to BSN advanced placement student.

 Other Information

Nursing students are NOT covered by the University or the clinical facilities for injuries and exposures to illnesses which occur in the course of clinical assignments or when traveling to and from clinical assignments. Additionally, all nursing students are assigned to care for persons with a wide variety of diagnoses including blood-borne illnesses. The UAM School of Nursing strongly recommends that each student be immunized against Hepatitis B virus (HBV) prior to beginning clinical work and obtaining personal health and automobile insurance. Students who are planning to major in nursing and who speak English as a second language are to meet requirements of the University as stipulated on page 15 of the Student Catalog. This requirement is to enhance the chance for scholarly success of nursing majors who speak English as a second language.

Information regarding tuition and fees may be found on page 16 of the Student Catalog. The NLN Accreditation Commission (NLNAC) serves as an additional resource for this information. On an annual basis, the School of Nursing provides the NLNAC with information regarding tuition, fees, and the length of the nursing program. The NLNAC may be contacted at 61 Broadway, New York, NY 10006, telephone number 212-363-5555.

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