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Nursing Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission to the program, students must meet the following criteria:

  • Complete university admission requirements to include submission of official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended. 
  • Have a minimum 2.50 cumulative GPA for all college coursework (including transfer work and excluding developmental courses) and be in good academic standing. 
  • Complete required prerequisite courses for the program with a minimum grade of C or higher in each course before fall or spring entry; prerequisite courses are the first three semesters as listed on the degree plan for a total of 43 hours. 
  • Students may not attempt any course more than twice and be eligible for admission into the nursing program.

NOTE: The application process for the B.S.N. program requires a criminal background check. 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 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. 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 (See Restrictions.) The criminal background check information and frequently asked questions are located on the Licensing tab on the ASBN website.

Degree Requirements

Click here to view the degree requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree plan.

 

Selection

Selection is based on the successful completion of the admission criteria. Selection is a highly competitive process. Those with higher GPAs may rank higher in selection.
 

NOTE: Meeting the minimum criteria for admission or taking courses on the B.S.N. degree plan does not guarantee admission into the program. Students not admitted must reapply to be considered for another semester. Students identified as alternates are not guaranteed a position in the next class.

 

Student Health Statement/Medical Release

Students accepted into any of the health sciences programs will be required to provide documentation of good physical and mental health by completing the Student Health Statement/Medical Release form. Documentation of all health problems and a medical release is required. Copies of immunization records and valid CPR certification must be submitted. No student will be allowed to attend a clinical rotation without the required health data records.

You may access the Student Health Statement/Medical Release form below:

 

Additional Documentation

Students admitted into the B.S.N. program must submit the following additional documentation before fall or spring entry:
 

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 an adverse or negative background check 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 B.S.N. 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 77 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 B.S.N. 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. (See Restrictions.)