Nursing - BSN, BS

MAJOR CODE: 2018

Graduates of the BSN program are prepared to provide nursing care for individuals, families, populations, and communities within a variety of healthcare settings and to use evidenced-based practice to guide nursing interventions which promote, maintain, and restore health. Admission to the program is competitive and selective. Graduates are prepared to sit for the National Council Licensing Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN©) upon successful completion of the program. Theory, laboratory, and clinical practice may be scheduled in the morning, afternoon, evening, night, and weekend hours to provide optimal learning experiences.

The Arkansas State Board of Nursing (ASBN) requires criminal background checks on graduates of nursing schools and has the authority to deny application for licensure to any person who has been convicted of a crime. The Arkansas State Board of Nursing Nurse Practice Act can be viewed, in its entirety, at the ASBN website.

Many clinical facilities require a criminal background check and/or drug screen on students and have the authority to deny clinical training in their facility, secondary to the outcome of either screening. Students unable to practice in any clinical agency because of an adverse or negative background check or positive drug screen will be unable to complete the program objectives, thereby revoking admission into a program or halting continued progression in the student’s program of study.

The BSN program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), and is approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing (ASBN). On an annual basis, the School of Nursing provides the CCNE with information regarding tuition, fees, and the length of the program. The CCNE may be contacted at 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750,Washington, DC 20001, (202) 887-6791.

Admission Requirements

1. Complete university admission requirements to include submission of official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended.
2. Have a minimum 2.50 cumulative GPA for all college coursework (including transfer work and excluding developmental courses) and be in good academic standing.
3. Complete required prerequisite courses for the program with a minimum grade of C or higher in each course prior to fall or spring entry; prerequisite courses are the first four semesters as listed on the degree plan for a total of 62 hours.
4. Students may not attempt any course more than twice and be eligible for admission to the nursing program.
5. Science courses taken more than five years prior to program application may not be eligible.

Application

Students who meet the above criteria are eligible to apply for admission. Applications can be found at the BSN application page and must be submitted by the date as determined by the program.

Selection

Selection is based on successful completion of the admission criteria and is a highly competitive process. Those with higher GPAs may rank higher in selection. Students admitted into the BSN program must submit the following additional documentation prior to fall or spring entry:

• CHEHS Student Health Statement/Medical Release Form
• Proof of immunizations
• CPR Certification: American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers
• Criminal background check
• Drug screen

Note: Many clinical facilities require a criminal background check and/or drug screen on students and have the authority to deny clinical training in their facility, secondary to the outcome of either screening. Students unable to practice in any clinical agency because of the outcome of either screening will be unable to complete the program objectives, thereby revoking admission into a program or halting continued progression in the student’s program of study.

Progression

Science courses taken more than five years prior to program application may not be eligible. Those courses can be evaluated on an individual basis by the Advising Coordinator for the College of Health, Education, and Human Sciences. See your advisor for more information.

The BSN program is competency-based in skills and theory. A student must demonstrate satisfactory clinical performance, 100 percent mastery on all competency performance evaluations (CPE), and maintain a minimum average cumulative score of 75 percent on competency performance assessments (CPA), including the final CPA for each course.

A student dropped for any reason may apply for readmission if in compliance with the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith Student Academic Progress Policy as outlined in the course catalog. A student who discontinues the nursing sequence any reason must petition for readmission to the B.S.N. program. The readmission requirements are found in the BSN Student Handbook (see the Readmission Criteria & Procedure Policy). The student is not guaranteed a position for readmission. A student who is readmitted is accountable for the degree requirements in effect at the time of readmission.

Graduation

To earn a BSN degree, a student must earn a grade of C or better in all required courses applicable to the B.S.N. program; earn a minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA in all course work required for the major and/or minor areas; and earn a minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA on all work attempted at the university. The student must meet with the advising coordinator to complete the graduation application one year before intended graduation.

After being granted the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, the student is eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Exam for a registered nurse (NCLEX-RN). 

NOTE: RN licensure requires a state and federal criminal background check. Students who have been convicted of a crime, including those that are sealed or expunged, must seek permission from the Arkansas State Board of Nursing to write the licensure exam to become a registered nurse.