General Information
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.
Accreditation
The BSN Program in the Carolyn McKelvey Moore School of Nursing is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission and approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing.
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Mission
The mission of the UA Fort Smith Carolyn McKelvey Moore School of Nursing is consistent with the mission of UA Fort Smith by its design and program outcomes. The nursing education program challenges students to think critically in an environment that facilitates educational mobility, personal growth, and a pattern of life-long learning.
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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.
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Organizing Framework
The Competency Outcomes and Performance Assessment Model (COPA) and Neuman Systems Model were used to structure and organize the nursing curriculum. The COPA Model emphasizes practice-based outcomes, practice-focus learning, and structured, objective assessment of performance competencies. Neuman’s multi-dimensional and dynamic model describes the client or client system as individuals, families, groups and communities. According to Neuman, the client is an open system that is constantly impacted by intra, inter and extra personal stressors in their internal or external environment. Graduates are prepared to intervene with primary, secondary and tertiary prevention strategies to assist the client to maintain a state of equilibrium.
The COPA Model and Neuman Systems Model are implemented throughout the curriculum using the concepts of critical thinking (assessment and intervention), research (knowledge integration), communication (human caring and relationship skills), leadership and management, health promotion (teaching), and professional development.
Critical thinking is a “process that involves questioning, analysis, synthesis, interpretation, inferences, inductive and deductive reasoning, intuition and application” (AACN, 2008).
Research is the scholarly inquiry which culminates in evidence-based practice.
Communication is a “complex, ongoing, and interactive process which forms the basis for interpersonal relationships” (AACN, 1998).
Leadership and management are overlapping concepts. Leadership is a process of influencing people to accomplish goals where as management relates to resource coordination and integration to achieve goals.
Health promotion is the science and art of supporting positive health practices to maximize quality of life.
Professional development is a process of life-long learning that enables the nurse to function in the roles of provider of care designer/manager/coordinator of care and member of a profession.
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Program Outcomes
The University of Arkansas - Fort Smith Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program graduate will:
- Use the nursing process and critical thinking to promote, maintain and restore the health of individuals and families throughout the lifespan.
- Evaluate the application of research findings to support evidence-based practice.
- Communicate effectively using interpersonal, written, and technological strategies.
- Integrate leadership and management skills in the provision of cost-effective quality health care.
- Individualize culturally and ethnically sensitive health promotion strategies with individuals, families, populations and communities in a variety of settings.
- Model professional role development through nursing behaviors consistent with professional standards.
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Admission Criteria
Admission to the UA Fort Smith BSN Program is selective. To be considered for admission to the program, students must meet the following criteria:
- Complete admission requirements to enter UA Fort Smith
- Submit official transcripts from any college(s) previously attended
- Have a minimum 2.50 cumulative grade point average for all college course work (including transfer work and excluding developmental courses)
- Meet minimum skill levels in reading and math according to one of the following criteria:
- provide college transcript(s) indicating acceptable reading placement and math placement.
- provide recent (taken within the last four years) ACT or COMPASS scores indicating no reading required and placement into MATH 1403 College Algebra or higher.
- Complete required prerequisite courses for the BSN Program prior to admission.
NOTE: It is recommended that students follow the degree plan for appropriate sequencing of general education courses.
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Application Packet
BSN Program Application and Information Packet(
PDF)
Student Health Statement/Medical Release Form(
PDF)
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In order to view PDF files, you must download and install Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Selection
Students are admitted into the BSN program in the fall and spring semesters. Those who meet the minimum criteria are eligible to submit an application for admission to the BSN program. The application and unofficial transcripts must be submitted to the College of Health Sciences by
October 1 for spring classes and
April 15 for fall classes.
Admission is competitive and selection will be based on quality points earned in the BSN academic curriculum support courses and cumulative GPA.
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Degree Requirements
View the degree requirements for the
Degree Plans
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Progression and Graduation
Progression
The BSN Program is competency based in skills and theory. To continue in any course, a student must have a satisfactory clinical performance and have averaged a minimum of 77 percent on examinations.
A student dropped for academic or other reasons may apply for readmission if in compliance with the UA Fort Smith Student Academic Progress Policy as outlined in the academic catalog. The student is not guaranteed a position for readmission. Unless there are extenuating circumstances, a student is limited to one readmission into the program.
A grade of “C” or better is required in ALL courses applicable to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Science courses taken more than five years prior to entering the program will be evaluated on an individual basis by the Program Director of BSN Programs and/or the college dean. See your advisor for more information and to request a science course evaluation.
Graduation
A minimum of a 2.00 cumulative grade point average on all work attempted at the University and a minimum 2.00 cumulative grade point average on all courses in the major and/or minor areas is required for graduation. The student must meet with their faculty advisor to complete the graduation application. The student is responsible for providing the Records Office with evidence that the criteria for graduation have been met the semester prior to 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.
NOTE: The application process for RN 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 licensed registered nurse.
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Residency Requirements
Thirty (30) of the last thirty-six (36) credit hours of the BSN program must be completed at UA Fort Smith.
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Clinical Education
Students will complete clinical experiences in diverse settings.
Expenses
Tuition And Fees
| Tuition |
|---|
| In State | $19,072 |
| Out-of State | $42,112 |
| Additional Expenses |
|---|
| Distance Ed Fees | $165 |
| Fitness Center Fees | $80 |
| Student Health Fees | $240 |
| Lab/Clinical Fees | $225 |
| Registration Fees | $200 |
| HS Program Fees | $1500 |
| ATI Fees (includes NCLEX prep) | $375 |
| Books | $2500 |
| Supplies | $750 |
| Uniforms | $250 |
| Initial Criminal Background check | $50 |
| Licensure Fees | $325 |
| Total Estimated Cost of Attendance |
|---|
| In State | $25,732 |
| Out-of-State | $48,772 |
Tuition effective July 2009 - includes Activity, Athletic, Technology, Health, and Campus Center fees. Other fees may apply, costs may change without notice and additional costs may be incurred throughout the program's entirety.
This estimate does not include graduation expenses
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For More Information Contact
*
Student Advisement, located in the Smith-Pendergraft Campus Center 479-788-7400
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About Us
5210 Grand Ave. • P.O. Box 3649