Nursing Department
Department website: https://www.atu.edu/nursing
Arkansas Tech University’s nursing curriculum is designed to prepare students for professional responsibilities in a variety of health-care settings and to provide the necessary foundation for graduate study.
The Department of Nursing offers undergraduate study in nursing to qualified high school graduates, and graduates of accredited or Arkansas State Board of Nursing approved diploma and associate degree registered nurse and licensed practical nurse programs. The undergraduate nursing programs lead to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. Satisfactory completion of general education, nursing prerequisites, and upper-division professional nursing courses is required for the BSN degree.
Upon completion of degree requirements, the student may be eligible to take the national examination for licensure as a registered nurse (NCLEX-RN). All nursing students should be aware that a criminal background check is required prior to licensure. Any student who has been convicted of a crime should notify his or her advisor before taking prerequisite courses. Information on requirement for licensure can be found on the state board of nursing website for the state in which the student will test for licensure. A registered nurse may be subject to losing professional licensure if a conviction is discovered after the license is granted.
The Department of Nursing contracts with health care facilities to meet clinical requirements and student learning objectives. Students are required to meet the requirements defined in clinical contracts and provide their own transportation to and from assigned clinical experiences.
The Department of Nursing reserves the right to make changes, without prior notice, in nursing curriculum and program requirements. Changes are made in the best interests of the students and department to maintain quality professional nursing education. Changes in program curriculum and requirements communicated via official Department of Nursing and University communication.
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing and the Arkansas Department of Higher Education. All programs are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.
ADMISSION
PRE-LICENSURE ADMISSION
Admission to the prelicensure program is competitive and subject to evaluation by the Nursing Department’s Admission and Progression Committee. Students are considered for admission the spring and fall preceding the semesters they plan to enter upper division nursing courses. All transcripts and entrance exam scores are due with the Application to Upper Division. Pre-licensure application deadlines are February 15 for fall admission and September 15 for spring admission.
Minimum requirements for acceptance into the upper division (Level 0) nursing courses are:
- Prerequisite grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale.
- Completion of the following courses with a grade of “C” or better in each:
Course List Code Title Hours ENGL 1013 Composition I 3 ENGL 1023 Composition II 3 MATH 1113 College Algebra 3 BIOL 2014 Human Anatomy 4 or BIOL 2404 Human Anatomy and Physiology I BIOL 3054 Microbiology 4 or BIOL 2054 Microbiology for Health Sciences BIOL 3074 Human Physiology 4 or BIOL 2414 Human Anatomy and Physiology II CHEM 1113
& CHEM 1111A Survey of Chemistry
and Survey of Chemistry Laboratory4 PSY 2003 General Psychology 3 SOC 1003 Introductory Sociology 3 NUR 2303 Nutrition 3 - Completion of the following General Education courses (See General Education Requirements for specific course alternatives):
- Option 1: Social Sciences 6 hours; Fine Arts/Humanities 6 hours; Communication 3 hours
- Option 2: Social Sciences 6 hours; Fine Arts/Humanities 9 hours
- Option 3: Social Sciences 9 hours; Fine Arts/Humanities 6 hours
- TECH 1001 Orientation to the University or TECH 1013 Introduction to the University (1 hour only) or 1-hour Elective (ATU requires TECH 1001 Orientation to the University or TECH 1013 Introduction to the University unless student is a transfer student not coming in as a freshman)
- Completion of entrance exam with a score of proficient or higher. Students are allowed a maximum of two attempts on the entrance exam.
The Admission and Progression Committee uses the following criteria to rank applicant for admission to upper division nursing courses.
CATEGORY 1
Student has all general education and nursing prerequisite courses completed with GPA > 2.75 at time of application (and at the end of semester of application); and score of proficient or higher on the entrance exam.
CATEGORY 2
Do not admit at this time.
Admission of college freshman who obtained Advanced Placement/Concurrent hours while attending high school:
ATU Nursing Department wishes to offer these specific high school students the opportunity to complete their courses within a timely manner.
Criteria for consideration (Failure to meet items 4 and/or 5 will result in loss of position in Upper Division):
- GPA > 3.50
- Proficiency score > 70.0 on Entrance Exam
- No more than 8 hours of courses to complete in the summer before entry into Level 0
- Outstanding courses must be completed during summer session between spring and fall. All prerequisite courses to be complete prior to the start of Level 0
- Grade of C or better on summer courses completed to meet prerequisite requirements.
Failure to meet criteria 4 or 5 will result in loss of upper division position.
Applications are ranked according to GPA and the entrance exam with preference given to ATU students. Admission will be determined by the resulting rank order and proficiency or better on entrance exam.
Applicants completing prerequisite requirements at an institution other than ATU must have official grades submitted to ATU prior to start of the semester.
Any student transferring from another nursing program must submit a letter of good standing to the Admission and Progression Committee with the application to upper-division nursing.
A student position may be filled in a discretionary manner for exceptional reasons as determined by the committee and approved by the department head.
Minimum requirements for continuation into clinical nursing courses (all initiated during upper division nursing courses)
- Acquisition of professional/student liability insurance through ATU
- Satisfactory criminal background check
- Current certification of BLS-CPR through the American Heart Association
- Proof of current immunization required by ATU and the ATU Affiliation Agreements with clinical facilities.
- Proof of two of three vaccinations of the Hepatitis B series. The third Hepatitis B vaccination must be completed before the end of the first clinical semester. Alternatively, proof of a positive Hepatitis B titer is accepted.
LPN ADMISSION
The LPN to BSN program is offered in traditional (face-to-face) or hybrid format. LPNs who have met all general education and nursing pre-requisite course requirements and have a GPA >2.75 are eligible to apply to upper division nursing. Upper division applications are due by February 15 for fall admission and September 15 for spring admission. Eligible applicants are evaluated by the ATU Department of Nursing Admission and Progression Committee.
The LPN must:
- Have a current unencumbered LPN or LPTN license in Arkansas.
- Have graduated from an accredited or state board of nursing approved LPN/LPTN program at the time of graduation.
- Document greater >1,000 hours LPN practice if applying for admission >12 months after graduating from a program or pursuing the hybrid LPN to BSN track.
- Score proficient or higher on entrance exam. Students are allowed a maximum of two attempts on entrance exam.
LPN/LPTNs who do not meet the defined criteria for admission will be evaluated on an individual basis.
Upon admission, LPNs must submit and maintain an unencumbered LPN license, and comply with the minimum requirements for continuation into clinical nursing courses as defined in the pre-licensure admission.
REGISTERED NURSE (RN) TO BSN ADMISSION
The RN to BSN program is online and accepts applications until all student positions are filled. Coursework begins in the fall and spring semesters. Priority application deadlines are May 1 for fall admission and November 1 for spring admission.
Application to the RN to BSN Program
The RN who has completed all nursing prerequisite courses and all general education courses or has less than six hours of outstanding general education courses and has a GPA >2.5 is eligible to apply to the RN to BSN program. RN to BSN applicants may opt to take NUR 3303 and NUR 3803 while in the RN to BSN curriculum.
The RN to BSN applicant must:
- Have a current unencumbered U.S. RN license in the state where they are practicing.
- Have graduated from an accredited or Arkansas State Board of Nursing approved diplomas or associate degree nursing program.
- Document work experience if applicable:
- <12 months after RN graduation - no work experience required.
- >12 months after RN graduation - documentation of at least 1000 hours of nursing employment in the preceding 12-24 months.
RNs who do not meet the defined criteria for admission will be evaluated on an individual basis.
Criteria for consideration into the RN to BSN program:
- Category I - GPA ≥ 2.50 all general education and nursing major prerequisites complete or enrolled in at time of application.
- Category II - GPA ≥ 2.50 up to six hours of general education outstanding, and/or NUR 3303 and/or NUR 3803 at time of application.
Category I students are admitted prior to category II. Admission decisions are made until all positions are filled.
Upon admission, students must submit and maintain proof of current unencumbered RN licensure and submit to and pass a background check and drug screen. These requirements must be completed through the ATU DON approved vendor. Proof of professional liability insurance is also required.
ARTICULATED CREDIT
ARTICULATED CREDIT FOR LICENSED NURSES (LPN/LPTN)
Arkansas Tech University Department of Nursing complies with the Arkansas Nursing Education Progression Model for admission and progression of licensed practical (LPN/LPTN) and registered nurses (RN) to the baccalaureate degree.
LPNs progression to the ATU bachelor's degree in nursing will be awarded the below 17 hours of credit at the completion of the last semester of all course work.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NUR 3103 | Nursing Skills I | 3 |
| NUR 3204 | Concepts in Nursing I | 4 |
| NUR 3213 | Care of the Older Adult | 3 |
| NUR 3404 | Clinical Nursing I | 4 |
| NUR 3513 | Nursing Skills II | 3 |
| Total Hours | 17 | |
LPN/LPTNs who do not meet the defined criteria for admission will be evaluated on an individual basis.
Upon admission, LPNs must submit and maintain an unencumbered LPN license, and comply with the minimum requirements for continuation into clinical nursing courses as defined in the pre-licensure admission.
LPN to BSN students must pass NUR 2023 Introduction to Professional Nursing, NUR 3303 Health Assessment, NUR 3402 Pharmacology I, and NUR 3803 Applied Pathophysiology with a “C” or better prior to advanced placement into Level II nursing.
ARTICULATED CREDIT FOR REGISTERED NURSES (RN)
RNs progression to the ATU bachelor's degree in nursing will be awarded the below 38 hours of credit at the completion of the last semester of all course work.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NUR 2023 | Introduction to Professional Nursing | 3 |
| NUR 2303 | Nutrition | 3 |
| NUR 3103 | Nursing Skills I | 3 |
| NUR 3204 | Concepts in Nursing I | 4 |
| NUR 3213 | Care of the Older Adult | 3 |
| NUR 3402 | Pharmacology I | 2 |
| NUR 3404 | Clinical Nursing I | 4 |
| NUR 3513 | Nursing Skills II | 3 |
| NUR 3606 | Concepts in Nursing II | 6 |
| NUR 3802 | Pharmacology II | 2 |
| NUR 3805 | Clinical Nursing II | 5 |
| Total Hours | 38 | |
RNs who do not meet the defined criteria for admission will be evaluated on an individual basis.
For more information, please visit www.atu.edu/nursing
PROGRESSION POLICY
PRE-LICENSURE AND LPN TO BSN PROGRESSION POLICY
In order to progress in the pre-licensure and LPN to BSN nursing programs, the student must meet the following guidelines.
Students must achieve a “C” or better in all nursing courses with the exception of nursing electives.
A student in the upper division nursing courses may only repeat one nursing course. Following a second failure in any upper division nursing course the student will be dismissed from the program. Upper division nursing courses: 66 hours of course work allotted to the nursing major, inclusive of NUR 2023 Introduction to Professional Nursing, all 3000 level nursing courses and all 4000 level nursing courses (with the exception of 4903).
Students who make less than a “C” in any upper division nursing course may not progress into courses for which that course(s) is a prerequisite until the course(s) has been repeated and the required minimum grade attained.
Any student who attempts any nursing courses twice (2 times) and does not achieve a final grade of "C" or better in the course, will automatically be withdrawn from the Arkansas Tech University Nursing Program and will not be eligible for readmission. An attempt is defined as "any enrollment in any course and dropping it (or changing it to an audit) after the first day of the 10th week of the semester during the Fall or Spring semester, or after the third week of either Summer session for any reason, or failure (grade of "D" or "F") of the course."
Readmission will not be considered for any student dismissed from the nursing department who obtained a “D” or “F” in two (2) upper division nursing courses. A student may appeal to the the Department Head for extraordinary circumstances.
Any student who withdraws from a clinical nursing course (NUR 3404 Clinical Nursing I, NUR 3805 Clinical Nursing II, NUR 4405 Clinical Nursing III, NUR 4804 Clinical Nursing IV must have a passing grade at the time of withdrawal in order to withdraw passing. Students failing (“D” or “F”) at the time of withdrawal will receive an “F”. A grade of “F” will count as a failure (“F”) for progression purposes.
Students must achieve a passing grade “C” in both the Concepts and corresponding Clinical Nursing courses in order to progress within the program. Students who repeat a Concepts course are required to show clinical competency in order to progress. Students who repeat clinical are required to show concepts competency in order to progress.
Clinical competence can be attained by:
- Taking for credit the corresponding clinical course
- Completing NUR 3892 Clinical Competency I or NUR 4892 Clinical Competency II with a grade of “C” or better.
Concepts competency can be attained by:
- Taking for credit the corresponding Concepts in Nursing course. Students must maintain a 75% average on all exams.
- Completing NUR 3792 Concepts Competency I or NUR 4792 Concepts Competency II with a grade of "C" or better.
RN TO BSN PROGRESSION POLICY
RN to BSN students must also achieve a "C" or better in all nursing courses. Students who make less than a "C" may not progress into courses for which that course is a pre-requisite until the course has been repeated and the minimum grade attained. Upon the second failure in any RN to BSN course, the student may be withdrawn from the ATU DON and may not be eligible for readmission. The program director, Admission and Progression committee, and department head will consider exceptions on an individual basis.
READMISSION POLICY
PRE-LICENSURE AND LPN TO BSN READMISSION
Any student that fails an Upper Division nursing course (with the exception of nursing electives), withdraws, or has a break in enrollment (including medical emergencies/complications) must reapply for progression in the nursing program by end of each fall/spring semester for readmission to the following fall/spring semester. Reapplication must be made by the date immediately following the last day of end of semester final exams. To reapply, the student shall write a letter of intent addressing reasons for past failure and a plan of action for future success within the nursing program, schedule an appointment with his/her level coordinator to complete the "Reapplication to Upper Division" form then submit the completed packet to the Admission and Progression committee. Completion of the reapplication process is the responsibility of the student. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Reapplication will be based on the availability of positions within the repeating level, letter of intent and current GPA. Should several students reapply for the same level and there are a limited number of positions, GPA ranking, in conjunction with their letter of intent, will guide the committee decision-making process.
Students who have not attended Arkansas Tech University during the past year must apply for readmission to the University.
The nursing program must be completed within four years of entry into upper division nursing.
RN TO BSN READMISSION
RN to BSN students are required to reapply to the program in the event of a break in enrollment. The student should contact the RN to BSN program director to complete the reapplication to upper division form, a letter addressing reasons for past failure or break in enrollment and a plan of action for future success in the nursing program. The completed reapplication is submitted to the Admission and Progression committee. Completion of the reapplication process is the responsibility of the student. The due date for RN to BSN reapplications is May 1 for summer or fall re-entry, and November 1 for spring re-entry.