LPN to BSN Nursing Program
Department website: https://www.atu.edu/nursing
Overview
ARTICULATED CREDIT FOR LICENSED NURSES (LPN/LPTN)
The below 17 hours of Nursing course credit will be awarded at the completion of the last semester of all course work.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NUR 3103 | Nursing Skills I 7 | 3 |
| NUR 3204 | Concepts in Nursing I 7 | 4 |
| NUR 3213 | Care of the Older Adult 7 | 3 |
| NUR 3404 | Clinical Nursing I 7 | 4 |
| NUR 3513 | Nursing Skills II 7 | 3 |
| Total Hours | 17 | |
See the Department of Nursing page for additional requirements.
CURRICULUM
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| CHEM 1113 & CHEM 1111 |
A Survey of Chemistry and Survey of Chemistry Laboratory 4 |
4 |
| ENGL 1013 | Composition I 4 | 3 |
| MATH 1113 | College Algebra 2,4 | 3 |
| SOC 1003 | Introductory Sociology 4 | 3 |
| TECH 1001 | Orientation to the University | 1 |
| Elective | 1 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Human Anatomy 3,4 | ||
| Human Anatomy and Physiology I 4 | ||
| ENGL 1023 | Composition II 4 | 3 |
| PSY 2003 | General Psychology 4 | 3 |
| SFHS 1XXX | Social Sciences/Fine Arts/Humanities/Communication Courses 1 | 3 |
| USHG 1XXX | U.S. History and Government 1 | 3 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Fall | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Microbiology for Health Sciences 4 | ||
| Microbiology 4, 5 | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Human Anatomy and Physiology II 4 | ||
| Human Physiology 4,5 | ||
| FAH 1XXX | Fine Arts and Humanities Courses 1 | 6 |
| NUR 2303 | Nutrition 4 | 3 |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| BIOL/NUR 3803 | Applied Pathophysiology 4 | 3 |
| NUR 2023 | Introduction to Professional Nursing 4 | 3 |
| NUR 3303 | Health Assessment 4 | 3 |
| NUR 3402 | Pharmacology I 4 | 2 |
| PSY 3813 | Lifespan Development | 3 |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Junior | ||
| Fall | ||
| NUR 3606 | Concepts in Nursing II 4 | 6 |
| NUR 3802 | Pharmacology II 4 | 2 |
| NUR 3805 | Clinical Nursing II 4,6 | 5 |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Spring | ||
| NUR 4206 | Concepts in Nursing III 4 | 6 |
| NUR 4303 | Nursing Research 4 | 3 |
| NUR 4405 | Clinical Nursing III 4,5 | 5 |
| Elective | 1 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Senior | ||
| Fall | ||
| NUR 4606 | Concepts in Nursing IV 4 | 6 |
| NUR 4804 | Clinical Nursing IV 4, 5 | 4 |
| NUR 4903 | Synthesis of Clinical and Theoretical Concepts 4.6 | 3 |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Total Hours | 103 | |
- 1
See appropriate alternatives or substitutions in "General Education Requirements".
- 2
MATH 1113 College Algebra or higher level MATH course (excluding MATH 2033 Mathematical Concepts I, MATH 2043 Mathematical Concepts II, and STAT 2163 Introduction to Statistical Methods)
- 3
Depending on previous preparation, student should recognize that prerequisites may be required before enrolling in BIOL 2014 Human Anatomy.
- 4
Must earn a grade of "C" or better.
- 6
One credit hour equals 3 contact hours.
- 7
The 17 hours of Arkansas Nursing Education Progression Model will be awarded at completion of the last semester of Arkansas Tech University course work. The degree will total 120 hours.
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
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.
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 | |
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 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
READMISSION POLICY
PRE-LICENSURE AND LPN TO BSN READMISSION POLICY
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.
Students who complete the program will:
- Demonstrates clinical judgment, skills and abilities to the provision of safe, competent patient care
- Demonstrates culturally sensitive caregiving, communication, teaching, advocacy, and management of diverse patient populations and settings.
- Utilizes research evidence and technology to improve the quality and safety of patient care.
- Collaborates with inter-professional health care teams in the delivery of patient care
- Demonstrates academic achievement reflective of a professional nurse.