Southern Arkansas University

Nursing Programs Offered

ADN Program Details

The purpose of the Associate Degree Program in Nursing is to provide both a general education in the liberal arts and sciences, and nursing. The A.D. nursing program consists of four academic semesters and includes 31 hours of general education courses and 39 hours credit in nursing courses. Clinical laboratory experiences are based in selected community hospitals and allied health agencies.

To be considered for Fall admission into the associate degree program in nursing the student must:

-Be admitted to SAU with regular or conditional admission status and maintain a 2.0 at SAU. Transfer students currently enrolled in other universities at the time of application will be considered for admission into the nursing program if the following documents are on file in the SAU Office of Admissions by February 28 (Fall nursing class): completed SAU application form; valid ACT or SAT scores, completed high school transcript or GED scores, and college transcripts through the previous semester; and required immunization records. International students must contact the International Student Services office. Admission to the University does not mean automatic admission to the Department of Nursing.

-Complete HESI Admission Assessment Exam. (A minimum score of 70 is recommended.)

-Recognize that priority ranking will be given to those who have successfully completed MATH 1023 (College Algebra) or its equivalent. All developmental courses must be completed.

-Recognize that priority ranking will be given to those who have successfully completed CHEM 1013/1011L (General Chemistry I/Lab) or its equivalent. A 3-hour Chemistry course or a Chemistry course without lab does not meet the Chemistry requirement.

-Have a minimum 2.5 GPA in Nursing Curriculum Support Courses. GPA for admission to the department will be calculated based on Nursing Curriculum Support Courses completed at the time of application. Nursing Curriculum Support Courses are not prerequisites. It is not necessary to complete all courses in order to apply to the program; however, all science courses must be completed with a C or better.

-NCSCs must be completed with a C or better.

-Submit a completed ADN (Traditional) Application postmarked no later than February 28 for Fall semester nursing class. Enclose a copy of all unofficial college transcripts.

-Mail application and unofficial transcripts to SAU, Department of Nursing, ADMISSIONS COMMITTEE, P.O. Box 9406, Magnolia, Ar 71754.

RN to BSN Program Details

The purpose of the RN-BSN Online Completion Program is to prepare the graduate for entry into professional practice as a generalist who cares for persons as individuals, members of family/groups, and as communities in both structured and unstructured health care settings.

To meet admission requirements for the Department of Nursing, the applicant must:

-Be eligible for admission to Southern Arkansas University.

-Be a graduate from an NLN accredited A.D.N. or diploma program, and meet general education requirements. NOTE: Courses taken at junior colleges are not counted as part of the junior senior hours required for graduation at SAU.

-Have transcripts evaluated by nursing faculty if transferring from another college or university. NOTE: SAU Department of Nursing follows the Arkansas Nursing Articulation Model for transfer credits in nursing.

-Have an overall GPA of 2.0 on all college courses.

-Of the total hours earned toward graduation, no more than 25 percent may be “D” grades.

-Possess an unencumbered state license to practice in the state in which the clinical experiences will be obtained.

-Have proof of MMR, Hepatitis B vaccination, TB screening, and current CPR certification.

BSN Program Details

The purpose of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Degree at Southern Arkansas University is to provide both a general education in the liberal arts and sciences, and a professional degree in nursing. The BSN program consist of eight semesters and includes 60 – 61 hours of general education courses and 60 hours of nursing courses. Clinical laboratory experiences are based in selected area hospitals and allied health agencies.

The BSN degree at Southern Arkansas University has initial approval from the Arkansas State Board of Nursing and the Arkansas Department of Higher Education. The Department of Nursing will apply for candidacy status from the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC).

All interested parties (students, graduates, and other parties associated with the program) may contact the NLNAC to express any statement or concern at the following: National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, 3343 Peachtree Road, NE, Suite 500, Atlanta, Georgia, 30326, telephone: 1-800-669-1656, ext. 153.

To be considered for admission into the Bachelor of Science in nursing degree program the student must:

-Be admitted to SAU with regular or conditional admission status and maintain a 2.0 at SAU.

-Transfer students currently enrolled in other universities at the time of application will be considered for admission into the nursing program if the following documents are on file in the SAU Office of Admissions by February 28 for fall nursing class; completed SAU application form; valid ACT or SAT scores; completed high school transcript or GED scores; college transcripts through the previous semester; and required immunization records. International students must contact the International Student Services Office. Admission to the University does not mean automatic admission to the Department of Nursing.

-Recognize that priority ranking will be given to students who have successfully completed all non-nursing support courses for the degree.

-Have a minimum 2.5 GPA (Grade Point Average) in Nursing Curriculum Support Courses (NCSCs). The GPA for admission to the department will be calculated based on NCSCs completed at the time of application.

-NCSCs must be completed with a C or better. Students with Ds in these courses will not be admitted.

-Have proof of Hepatitis B vaccination, TB screening, and current American Heart Association CPR certification.

-Understand travel will be required to clinical sites in Southwest and Central Arkansas.

-Realize if an injury occurs in the clinical setting, the student is responsible for all applicable cost related to the injury. Students are strongly encouraged to obtain health insurance. Information concerning health insurance available for SAU students may be accessed by visiting Macori.

-Submit a completed BSN Application postmarked or delivered no later than February 28 for the fall semester.

-Application forms may be obtained from the Department of Nursing or from our website www.saumag.edu/nursing. Enclose a copy of all unofficial college transcripts. Mail application and unofficial transcripts to SAU, Department of Nursing, Attn: BSN- Application, P.O. Box 9406, Magnolia, AR 71754-9406. Applications may be delivered to Wharton Nursing Building, room 101A.