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Undergraduate Bulletin
Document Number 3.04.08

Nursing

Chair and Professor: Dr. Williams, 450-3119
Associate Professor: Dr. Koenigseder
Assistant Professors: Dr. Lancaster, Dr. Meaux, Dr. Musser, Dr. Stroman
Instructors: Ms. Ashcraft, Ms. Bullock, Ms. Cullum, Ms. Diehl, Ms. Gatto, Ms. Jenkins, Ms. Jordan, Ms. King, Ms. New, Ms. Priddy, Ms. Reed, Ms. Shock

[1] Purposes

The Department of Nursing is committed to offering basic and advanced professional nursing education programs to students through excellence in the curriculum and faculty, thereby enhancing the health of the public. Graduates of the baccalaureate program are prepared for basic professional practice and have the foundation for graduate study.

[2] Baccalaureate Degree Program

The professional program requires a minimum of six full semesters during the last three years of the student's degree studies. It includes both classroom work and clinical learning experiences in a variety of central Arkansas health care agencies, institutions, and communities. Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from clinical experiences.

Upon successful completion of the program, the student is awarded a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree and is eligible to apply to take the Registered Nurse (RN) licensing examination (NCLEX-RN). Based on Arkansas State Board of Nursing rules and regulations, eligible students are allowed to apply to take the Practical Nurse (LPN) licensing examination (NCLEX-PN) after successfully completing the junior year of the major. Per state law, persons convicted of certain crimes will not be eligible to take the RN or LPN licensure examination. For more information and a list of crimes refer to www.arsbn.org/, Nurse Practice Act, chapter 3, section 17-87-312.

[3] Articulation/Advanced Placement

LPN/LPTN-BSN, RN-BSN, and RN-MSN tracks are available for students already licensed to practice nursing based on the Arkansas Nursing Articulation Model. Visit www.uca.edu/nursing or contact the Department of Nursing for information.

[4] The Scholars Program In Nursing

During the spring semester of the junior year, qualified students are invited to become candidates for departmental scholars. The student must have earned at least an overall GPA of 3.5 and a major GPA of 3.7. The scholars program offers opportunities to explore special interests in nursing through an independent project and/or to take select graduate credit courses during their senior year in lieu of select undergraduate courses. On successful completion of the project, the student is eligible to graduate with honors in nursing. If final GPA meets university requirements, this distinction is noted on the student's transcript and diploma and is recognized at commencement. See bulletin section Recognition of Academic Achievement for more information.

[5] Master's Degree

See Graduate Bulletin.

[6] Accreditation Status

The baccalaureate and master's programs are approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing and accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

[7] United States Army Partnership in Nursing Excellence

The Department of Nursing is nationally distinguished by the US Army as one of only a few Partners in Nursing Excellence. This designation provides numerous opportunities, including scholarships, for individuals who have both nursing and military career goals. For information contact either the Department of Military Science at (501) 450-3145 or the Department of Nursing at (501) 450-3119.

[8] Admission to the Nursing Major

Admission is selective and competitive. Preference is given to University of Central Arkansas pre-nursing students. Applications are due by March 1 for the following fall sophomore nursing class. One class is admitted each year. Applications are available each January and may be obtained at www.uca.edu/nursing or by contacting the UCA Department of Nursing.

Minimum admission criteria include:

1. Minimum GPA of 2.5;
2. Completion, with a minimum grade of C, of WRTG 1310 and 1320, MATH 1390, CHEM 1402 and 2450 or CHEM 1450 and 1451, BIOL 1400 or BIOL 1440 and 2405 or BIOL 2406 and 2407, PSYC 1300, SOC 1300, and FACS 1300;
3. Presentation of a complete application within published deadlines;
4. Completion of an admission exam; and
5. A $25 non-refundable application fee.

A more detailed list of criteria should be obtained from the department.

[9] Program of Study for the BSN Degree

The baccalaureate program consists of 34 hours of pre-nursing/prerequisite courses and six semesters of nursing major, general education, and related major requirements. Courses in the professional major are sequentially planned. Each nursing course is usually offered only once each academic year.

General Education and Related Major Requirements (74 hours):

• WRTG 1310 and 1320
• ENGL 2305 or 2306
• MATH 1390
• PSYC 1300, FACS 2341, or PSYC 2370
• PSYC 2330, PSCI 2312, SOC 2321, or MATH 2311
• CHEM 1402 and 2450 or 1450 and 1451
• BIOL 1400 or 1440, 2405 or 2406 and 2407, 2411, and 4311
• SOC 1300
• FACS 1300
• HIST 1310 or 1320
• PHIL 1301 or 2325
• HIST 2301 or 2302 or PSCI 1330
• MUS 2300, THEA 2300, or ART 2300
• SPCH 1300
• KPED/H ED 1320
• HIST 1310 or 1320 or ENGL 2305 or 2306 or REL 1320 or FYFS 1310 or PHIL 1330 or WLAN/WRTG 2350 or WLAN 1310
• A 3-hour elective

The following courses may be completed after admission to the major and require a minimum grade of C:

• BIOL 2411 and 4311
• FACS 2341 or PSYC 2370
• PHIL 1301 or 2325
• PSYC 2330, SOC 2321, MATH 2311, or PSCI 2312
• SPCH 1300

Nursing Major Requirements (57 hours): NURS 2305, 2310, 2505, 2510, 3201, 3501, 3505, 3510, 3515, 4210 (RN students), 4213, 4220, 4505, 4510, 4515.

[10] Progression Requirements

Upon acceptance into the nursing program, students are to present the first and second of the series of three Hepatitis B vaccinations. The third of the series may be completed after the start of the first semester of the major.

Students are to present the following documentation each July:

1. American Heart Association Health Provider CPR certification valid through May of the school year;
2. TB skin test results valid through May of the school year; and
3. Current health/hospitalization insurance.

Failure to present this documentation will result in administrative withdrawal from the program.

A minimum grade of C must be achieved to pass a required nursing course and progress in the major.

The current editions of the UCA Student Handbook and the Nursing Student Handbook: Baccalaureate Program specify the rules, regulations, and policies that apply to all UCA undergraduate nursing students. It is the responsibility of the student to know and follow the most recent policies and procedures.

[11] Readmission Policy

If a student withdraws from any nursing course or from the nursing major for any reason (academic or non-academic) or fails to earn a minimum grade of C in any required nursing or specified non-nursing course, the student must be readmitted to enroll in other nursing courses. A grade of D, F, or WF in any nursing course or specified non-nursing course may result in a year's delay before the student will be able to repeat the nursing course and/or progress. Readmission is not automatic nor guaranteed and will be contingent upon both program and individual factors.

Readmission applications are available from the department. Applications are due to the department by October 1 for readmission to spring nursing courses and by March 1 for readmission to fall nursing courses.

A student, if readmitted, may repeat a specific nursing course only one time. The student who makes a grade of D, F, or WF in two nursing courses will be dismissed from the nursing program.

The department follows the university's policy of reserving the right to refuse the privilege of further attendance to a student when it has become evident that the student lacks the personal qualities, professional characteristics, or scholastic attainments essential for success.

[12] Courses in Nursing (NURS)

Follow this link for NURS course descriptions: course link.