University of Arkansas - Fort Smith

Nursing Programs Offered

ADN Programs
BSN Programs
Clinical Nurse Specialist - Master's degree
LPN Programs
RN Programs
RN to BSN Programs

ADN Program Details

The Carolyn McKelvey Moore School of Nursing at UA Fort Smith offers a competency based associate degree nursing program that combines nursing theory and clinical experiences that enables the graduate to practice in today's dynamic healthcare environment. Passing rates on the NCLEX-RN, the examination for RN licensure, remain consistently above both national and state averages. Graduates are actively recruited by employers, both locally and regionally. The ADN program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission and is approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing.

Philosophy:

The faculty of the Carolyn McKelvey Moore School of Nursing hold certain values about nursing and the educational process. These values form the framework in which learning activities move in a logical progression throughout the curriculum and are based on the following concepts:

A human being is a unique holistic individual with worth, rights, and responsibilities. All human beings have needs. Fulfillment of these needs occurs within the context of their culture and responses to life experiences.

Health is a dynamic state that encompasses the holistic human being. Health results from the human being’s response to change in his/her internal and external environments. Health occurs along the wellness/illness continuum and is influenced by personal and cultural values.

Environment is the conditions or influences within which the human being exists. Stimuli within the internal and external environment are constantly interacting and affect the individual, family, and community’s position on the wellness/illness continuum.

Nursing, as an art and science, is a dynamic profession with an evolving body of knowledge that is supported by research within the profession as well as from principles and theories from other disciplines. Nursing focuses on assisting human beings to meet needs along the wellness/illness continuum. Nurses use the nursing process in the promotion, maintenance, and restoration of health in culturally diverse clients throughout the lifespan. Changes in the current healthcare environment reflect an increased complexity in client needs and in delivery systems and, thus, necessitate various levels of nursing educational preparation.

Nursing education is the means by which students learn to practice nursing and is best provided in an institution of higher learning. Learning is a lifelong activity that is purposeful and motivated by individual need. The various levels of nursing education include, but are not limited to, practical nursing, associate degree nursing, and baccalaureate degree nursing. Each type of nursing educational program provides a unique and valuable contribution to healthcare.

RN to BSN Program Details

The changing healthcare environment necessitates various levels of nursing educational preparation. This RN-BSN Online Completion Program prepares highly competent practitioners of nursing for professional careers in a dynamic healthcare environment. It provides educational mobility for associate degree and diploma prepared nurses and the foundation for graduate education in nursing. This flexible program makes possible the opportunity for registered nurses to receive credit for previous nursing education and experience.

Professional nursing education integrates liberal and nursing education to foster critical thinking skills required for professional nursing. Professional nursing education prepares nurses to practice effectively in a healthcare environment in diverse settings. Nursing education at the baccalaureate level is an active learning process.

Philosophy:

Consistent with the vision, mission and values of the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith, the faculty of the Carolyn McKelvey Moore School of Nursing ascribes to the following beliefs regarding a human being, health, environment, nursing and nursing education.

A client or client system is a unique holistic individual, family or community with worth, rights, and responsibilities. All clients or client systems have needs. Fulfillment of these needs occurs within the context of culture and responses to life experiences.

Health is a dynamic state that encompasses the holistic client or client system. Health results from the response to changes in the internal and external environments, occurs along the wellness/illness continuum and is influenced by personal and cultural values.

Environment is the set of conditions within which the client or client system exists. Stimuli within the internal and external environment are constantly interacting and affecting the individual, family and community’s position on the wellness/illness continuum.

Nursing uses communication, leadership and management skills to assist clients and client systems to meet needs along the wellness/illness continuum. Nursing, as an art and science, is a dynamic profession with an evolving body of knowledge that is supported by research within the profession as well as from principles and theories from other disciplines. Nursing focuses on assisting clients and client systems to meet needs along the wellness/illness continuum. Nurses use the nursing process and critical thinking in the promotion, maintenance, and restoration of health in culturally diverse clients throughout the lifespan. Changes in the current healthcare environment reflect an increased complexity in client needs and in delivery systems and, thus, necessitate various levels of nursing educational preparation.

Nursing education is the means by which students learn to practice nursing and is best provided in an institution of higher learning. Learning is a lifelong activity that is purposeful and motivated by individual need. The various levels of nursing education include, but are not limited to, practical nursing, associate degree nursing and baccalaureate degree nursing. Each type of nursing educational program provides a unique and valuable contribution to health care.

Baccalaureate nursing education expands upon the liberal arts and sciences to provide the foundation for the practice of professional nursing including care of the client, family and the community. Baccalaureate nursing education occurs in a facilitated learner-centered environment which considers the student’s unique needs and emphasizes preparation for graduate study.

BSN Program Details

The changing healthcare environment necessitates various levels of nursing educational preparation. The BSN program prepares highly competent practitioners of nursing for professional careers in a dynamic healthcare environment and provides the foundation for graduate education in nursing.

Professional nursing education integrates liberal and nursing education to foster critical thinking skills required for professional nursing. Professional nursing education prepares nurses to practice effectively in a healthcare environment in diverse settings. Nursing education at the baccalaureate level is an active learning process.

Philosophy:

Consistent with the vision, mission and values of the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith, the faculty of the Carolyn McKelvey Moore School of Nursing ascribes to the following beliefs regarding a human being, health, environment, nursing and nursing education.

A client or client system is a unique holistic individual, family or community with worth, rights, and responsibilities. All clients or client systems have needs. Fulfillment of these needs occurs within the context of culture and responses to life experiences.

Health is a dynamic state that encompasses the holistic client or client system. Health results from the response to changes in the internal and external environments, occurs along the wellness/illness continuum and is influenced by personal and cultural values.

Environment is the set of conditions within which the client or client system exists. Stimuli within the internal and external environment are constantly interacting and affecting the individual, family and community’s position on the wellness/illness continuum.

Nursing uses communication, leadership and management skills to assist clients and client systems to meet needs along the wellness/illness continuum. Nursing, as an art and science, is a dynamic profession with an evolving body of knowledge that is supported by research within the profession as well as from principles and theories from other disciplines. Nursing focuses on assisting clients and client systems to meet needs along the wellness/illness continuum. Nurses use the nursing process and critical thinking in the promotion, maintenance, and restoration of health in culturally diverse clients throughout the lifespan. Changes in the current healthcare environment reflect an increased complexity in client needs and in delivery systems and, thus, necessitate various levels of nursing educational preparation.

Nursing education is the means by which students learn to practice nursing and is best provided in an institution of higher learning. Learning is a lifelong activity that is purposeful and motivated by individual need. The various levels of nursing education include, but are not limited to, practical nursing, associate degree nursing and baccalaureate degree nursing. Each type of nursing educational program provides a unique and valuable contribution to health care.

Baccalaureate nursing education expands upon the liberal arts and sciences to provide the foundation for the practice of professional nursing including care of the client, family and the community. Baccalaureate nursing education occurs in a facilitated learner-centered environment which considers the student’s unique needs and emphasizes preparation for graduate study.

LPN Program Details

The Practical Nursing (PN) program at the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith in the College of Health Sciences grants a technical certificate upon completion of the program of study. Upon graduation, students are eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN).

Admission into the Practical Nursing program is competitive. Students accepted into this program receive their education through classroom learning and clinical experiences. The PN program is approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing.

Note: The application process for PN licensure requires a state & 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 license registered nurse.

Program Goals:

-to prepare individuals with the knowledge, skills, values, and abilities necessary to function as licensed practical nurses, under the direction of registered nurses, physicians, and/or dentists, in a variety of settings;
-to prepare individuals to sit for the NCLEX-PN; and
-to engage in lifelong learning.