Eleanor Mann School of Nursing (NURS)

Jessie Casida
Executive Director
Eleanor Mann School of Nursing
479-575-3907
Email: nursing@uark.edu

Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Website

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing contributes to the three purposes of the university: education, research and service. The mission of Eleanor Mann School of Nursing is to transform lives through nursing education and inspire leadership in nursing practice and academics to improve the health and well-being of society. 

Professional nursing begins with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) degree. Nursing education offers a research base for nursing practice that promotes the ability of the nurse to effect change needed to improve health. In the study of professional nursing, the student builds on a planned general education for the academic disciplines and acquires theoretical and specific knowledge to meet health care needs of diverse clients in various settings. In addition, the curriculum provides opportunity for students with technical nursing education to expand their knowledge and scope of practice. The baccalaureate program establishes a foundation for graduate education in nursing and for continued personal and professional development.

Graduates of the pre-licensure B.S.N. program are eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) for licensure as a registered nurse (R.N.).

Requirements for B.S.N. in Nursing

Pre-Licensure B.S.N. Program (P-NURS/Health)

Admission Policies

Admission to the Pre-Licensure B.S.N. Program

Students interested in the traditional, on campus pre-licensure BSN program must be admitted to the University of Arkansas as pre-nursing (P-NURS/Health) majors. Admission to the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing requires a separate application in addition to the application to the University of Arkansas. In line with initiatives of the university and the College of Education and Health Professions, as well as the philosophy of the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing, a holistic admission process is utilized to enhance a diverse academic experience for all students and results in additional expertise in providing care to an increasingly diverse patient population.

Admission will be determined by the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing's faculty. To be eligible to apply, students must be admitted to the University of Arkansas, be a pre-nursing/health major, submit a complete application package on or before the deadline, have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or more, score a 70 or higher on the ATI TEAS entrance exam, complete the Casper Situational Judgment Test, and have completed a background check. 

Background checks are governed by AR Code § 17-87-312 (2020) (or any future version). An individual is not eligible to receive or hold a license issued by a licensing entity if that individual has pleaded guilty or nolo contendere to or been found guilty of any of the offenses outlined in AR Code § 17-3-102 (2020) (or any future version), thus they will not be eligible to apply for the nursing major(s). 

Students are permitted to apply to the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing a maximum of two times, or two separate admission cycles. EMSON faculty will not consider late or incomplete application packages. 

The holistic admission process for the pre-licensure BSN program is as follows:

1. A complete application to the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing is submitted. Please refer to current dates and detailed application instructions on the admissions website:  https://nursing.uark.edu/bsn/admission-requirements.php.    
2. Students transferring from another nursing program must provide a letter from the nursing program indicating that they are eligible to return and are in good standing as part of their admission application.
3. Final transcripts will need to be submitted for any non-University of Arkansas coursework by the end of the open application cycle. Official application cycles and important deadlines may be found on the application website https://nursing.uark.edu/bsn/admission-requirements.php.  
4. Upon review of all required documents, nursing school faculty will review the following:

Primary Academic Factors

• Cumulative pre-requisite GPA calculated from all pre-requisite scores, including those officially transferred from another institution within the last 10 years.
• Pre-requisite courses included in the GPA calculation (if completed by the end of the semester in which the student is submitting their application): 
  • ​ENGL 10103  
  • ENGL 10203 
  • MATH 11003 
  • CHEM 12103/CHEM 12101
  • BIOL 24003/ BIOL 24001
  • BIOL 24103/BIOL 24101  
  • BIOL 20003/ BIOL 20001  
    Of these 23 hours, choose 20 as pre-reqs. (the remaining 3 can be taken after starting the program):
    • U.S. History or Government (3 hours)
    • Social Sciences (9 hours)
    • Fine Arts (3 hours) 
    • Humanities (3 hours) 
    • Electives (5 hours)
    • To apply, students must complete at least 29 hours of the 4 required pre-requisite courses (as listed above) by the end of the semester in which they are submitting their application, including at least 3 of the 4 required science courses with lab (CHEM 12103/CHEM 12101, BIOL 24003/BIOL 24001, BIOL 24103/BIOL 24101, BIOL 20003/BIOL 20001).
    • Courses in which  the student is enrolled at the time of application  will be calculated in the cumulative GPA once final semester grades are released.

Secondary Academic Factors

• Highest ATI TEAS Total Composite Score completed no more than one year prior to the application deadline

Holistic Factors

• CASPer© Situational Judgment Test Score

5. Successful completion of required nursing prerequisite courses as listed in the table below. Students may have one required science course with lab incomplete at the time of admission, but students must be enrolled in the final required science course during the semester in which admission notifications occur to be eligible for admission. Required Science courses with labs include CHEM 12103/CHEM 12101, BIOL 24003/BIOL 24001, BIOL 24103/BIOL 24101, and BIOL 20003/BIOL 20001.
   1. For students entering the University of Arkansas as freshmen, credits transferred in from high school dual enrollment or AP/IB credit will be counted in the required nursing prerequisite courses at the UA.

​Technical Standards

Students must be aware of Technical Program Standards as listed in the Student Handbook. If students have questions or concerns about their ability to meet the technical standards or if they need to arrange reasonable accommodations, they should contact the Center for Educational Access prior to the start of the semester and ensure they request any accommodations needed for both didactic and clinical courses. If accommodations are not secured prior to the start of the semester for clinical courses, students may experience delays in clinical placement and course progression.  

PNURS/Health Requirements for Pre-Licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing:

¹

Denotes required nursing pre-requisite courses.

²

BIOL 10103/BIOL 10101 is a prerequisite for BIOL 20003/BIOL 20001 and BIOL 24003/BIOL 24001 and may be used as part of the elective hours.

Requirements to Remain in the Pre-Licensure B.S.N. Program (NURSBS-PLRN)

Full admission to the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing is contingent upon meeting all the conditional requirements and successfully meeting the following requirements:

Requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Pre-Licensure Option (NURSBS-PLRN)

The minimum number of hours required to receive a baccalaureate degree at the University of Arkansas is 120 semester hours. The nursing major is exempt from the eight-semester degree plan since the program is admission-based.  Please refer to the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing website for specific information related to the admission criteria.

Progression, Withdrawal, and Dismissal

1. For progression in the nursing program, only grades of "C" or above will be accepted. Students who make less than a "C" may not progress into courses for which that course is a prerequisite until the course is repeated and the required minimum grade attained. If a student earns a "D", "F", or "W" in a course, the course may be repeated once. The course must be passed on the second attempt. If a student earns a D, F, or withdraws from the second attempt, this results in dismissal from the nursing program without eligibility for readmission.  
2. If a student earns a "D" or "F" in a second course, the student will be dismissed from the program and will not be eligible for re-admission.   
3. Note that the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing uses the following grading scale and exam policy:
   1. Grading Scale:  A = 92 –100% B = 83 – 91% C = 75 – 82% D = 62 – 74% F = below 62%
4. Exam Policy: A 75% average on class exams is necessary to pass the course. Once this criterion is met, other course grades will be factored into the final grade. The total exam average is calculated by the total earned exam points divided by total available exam points. An average of 74.50% to 74.99% will be rounded to achieve the 75% minimum.
5. The proctored ATI testing requirements embedded within courses are mandatory; they must be completed in full for a final grade to be awarded in each course.  If the required level of achievement is not passed, remediation and retakes are required. Required retakes must be taken prior to being allowed to take the ATI Comprehensive Predictor exam. Failure to follow or complete the remediation instructions for any ATI proctored exam may delay a student’s ability to progress in their degree plan and may delay graduation. 
6. ATI Comprehensive Predictor Exam: Remediation of the Comprehensive Predictor (and retake if applicable) must be completed in full for a final grade to be awarded in each course. If each component of the required remediation is not complete before the end of the course, students will not be approved to graduate or take the NCLEX-RN exam until requirements are met.   
7. Students who do not pass the Dosage Calculation Exam per handbook policy, will be administratively withdrawn from the respective clinical practicum course. This may lead to a delay in graduation and/or dismissal from the program. See handbook for details. 
8. A positive background check may impact clinical placement and eligibility for licensure. Confirmation of a positive drug screen or ethical violation will result in administrative withdrawal from nursing courses and nursing program dismissal. Refer to the student handbook for additional details.  
9. If a student is arrested during their program of study, the school of nursing should be notified immediately, and the student will become ineligible for clinical courses pending the outcome of an investigation and/or judicial process. Failure to report is considered a violation of the Code of Ethics. 
10. The school of nursing will comply with the policies, rules, and regulations set by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing. Failure to comply with state board rules and regulations will result in program dismissal.  
11. All compliance documentation must be submitted by the student to their personal EXXAT account by the assigned due dates. Failure to meet compliance requirement deadlines for clinical practicum courses will result in a Performance Improvement Plan and administrative withdrawal from the course, which may delay progression in the program. Falsification/forgery of any documents, records, or signatures on compliance documentation is a violation of the EMSON Code of Ethics and will result in Academic Integrity sanctions and/or possible program dismissal.  
12. If a student taking a didactic course with an associated practicum in the same semester decides to withdraw from the didactic course, they must also withdraw from the practicum in compliance with Arkansas State Board of Nursing regulations.  
13. Students should note that any violations of the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing policies, standardized safety practices, or code of ethics can result in course failure and/or dismissal from the program without prior warnings (see student handbook). 
14. Three Performance Improvement Plans are evidence of a pattern of behavior that contradicts our policies and code of ethics. A student with three Performance Improvement Plans will meet with program administration and will be subject to dismissal without readmission eligibility. 
15. A student dismissed from the school of nursing will be asked to self-withdraw from all courses or will be subject to administrative withdrawal. These students are ineligible to request a letter of good standing from the EMSON.  

Didactic/Professional Role Implementation Courses

1. A student who needs to repeat a course in which they were unsuccessful must complete an Academic Success Plan and are encouraged to do so as soon as they are aware of the need to repeat a course. An academic success plan will be implemented upon approval as outlined by the student’s academic advisor and the Program Coordinator.  
2. Students will be readmitted on a space-available basis according to the following priority system:
   Priority Groups for Placement in Required Clinical Courses
   1. First Priority – Continuing full-time students in good academic standing ranked by admission cohort.
   2. Second Priority – Students repeating a course due to withdrawal or failure
3. Spaces in clinical courses are limited and tightly controlled by accreditation, the Arkansas State Board of Nursing, and clinical agency policies. Enrollment in Didactic courses is limited to space availability.  A student re-enrolling  in a clinical course for any reason will not be assured a clinical placement space in current or subsequent terms.

Readmission Policies

Any student whose enrollment in the professional program of study has been interrupted may seek readmission following the steps below:

1. Seek readmission into the University of Arkansas (if applicable).
2. Complete Readmission Application to the School of Nursing during the application periods. (Readmission is limited by space availability).
3. Readmission will not be considered for any student dismissed from the School of Nursing.

Exit Policies

1. Students must complete the requirements for the degree within five years of enrolling in the first upper-division nursing course. If the student does not complete the Professional Program of Study within the five-year limit, nursing credits must be reevaluated and may need to be repeated.
2. All University of Arkansas requirements must be met.

In addition to the program requirements, students must meet the university and college graduation requirements. This curriculum is subject to change to comply with national accreditation and the Arkansas State Board of Nursing Standards.

Bachelor of Science in Nursing Pre-Licensure Option (NURSBS-PLRN)

Because this program requires admission to progress, it does not qualify for the university's Eight-Semester Degree Program; however, students who qualify to finish a degree in four years can follow the suggested order of classes below.

¹

 BIOL 10103/BIOL 10101 suggested due to prerequisite required for BIOL 24003/BIOL 24001 and BIOL 20003/BIOL 20001. UNIV 10051 suggested for the 1 hour elective. 

²

Students must complete the  State Minimum Core requirements as outlined in the Catalog of Studies. The courses that meet the state minimum core also fulfill many of the university's General Education requirements, although there are additional considerations to satisfy the general education learning outcomes. Students are encouraged to consult with their academic adviser when making course selections. 

R.N. to B.S.N. Option (NURSBS-RNBN)

Program Admission Policies

Step One

Complete the admission application and associated requirements. Current practicing Registered Nurse (R.N.) applicants will select R.N. to B.S.N. program for their program of study.

Step Two

Upon receipt of all required application material, the university determines applicant qualification for general university admission. If general admission is granted, the application then goes to the nursing department to determine program admission eligibility. Admission criteria verified by the nursing department includes: 

• Completion of an accredited/state board approved R.N. program.
• R.N. licensure status in Arkansas or compact state that covers Arkansas. The nursing license must be active and unencumbered. Students admitted to the program will be required to maintain this active, unencumbered status for the duration of their enrollment in the program.
• The applicant's R.N. employment status including the following:
  • R.N.s with 12-months or greater since nursing program completion:
    • Documentation from current and/or recent employer(s) where applicant is hired as an R.N. including institution or organization name, address, supervisor contact information, area or unit of service, position title, and employment status (e.g. full-time, part-time, per diem). Applicants should include documentation of one of the following:
      • Employer verification of 1,000-R.N. practice-hours completed within 12-24 months of beginning the program.
      • Completion of a state board of nursing approved R.N.-refresher courses within 12-24 months of beginning the program.
  • Nursing students enrolled in the final semester of an accredited nursing program may apply and be eligible for program admission upon successful completion of their current nursing program. Students in this category will be required to submit the following:
    • Verification of good standing provided from the director or dean of the respective nursing program from which the applicant is transferring (form provided in University application).
    • Final transcripts (official) to the university and a copy (can be unofficial) to the nursing department upon completion of current nursing education program.
    • Date of NCLEX exam once scheduled and testing outcome resulting in licensure (see progression for more information below). 

Step Three

Once admitted an academic advisor will evaluate the general education requirements (state minimum core and nursing program prerequisites). Students must complete all program prerequisites before beginning the nursing program courses or in the first term of admission. The academic advisor will assist each student in developing an individualized course progression plan to meet the requirements of the program.

Additional Program Information

• Students must be aware of Technical Program Standards as listed in the Student Handbook. If students have questions or concerns about their ability to meet the technical standards or if they need to request reasonable accommodations, they should contact the Center for Educational Access prior to the start of the semester and ensure they request any accommodations needed for both didactic and clinical courses. If accommodations are not secured prior to the start of the semester for clinical courses, students may experience delays in clinical placement and course progression.  

• Professional nursing courses for R.N. to B.S.N. students are delivered online through University of Arkansas Global Campus. Clinical practicum experiences are a student-led process using a preceptor model. Nursing students take the lead in finding clinical sites and preceptors for each of the clinical courses. Our nursing faculty and staff will support students by communicating the required clinical setting type, providing suggestions for clinical site locations, and utilizing our growing network of clinical site agreements to assist students in finding locations. Students will submit clinical sites and preceptor requests to the nursing school, who will then create the clinical site agreement and verify preceptor eligibility. Clinical course placement is not guaranteed, it varies per term and by site. 

• Students must provide proof of all required clinical paperwork, including required drug screens and background checks, requested by the school of nursing (the most current clinical requirements can be located in the student handbook). 

• Students admitted to the program may request up to 3 credit hours of previously completed B.S.N.-level course credit in substitution for a core R.N. to B.S.N. program of study course. The nursing faculty evaluate core R.N. to B.S.N course substitution petitions for eligibility. Only courses taken within the last five years will be eligible for review.

Program Outline

Credit for courses listed below will be held in escrow. The student will receive credit for these courses upon successful completion of the program.

Requirements for Bachelor of Science in Nursing R.N. to B.S.N. Option

¹

Denotes required nursing pre-requisite courses.

The minimum number of hours required to receive a baccalaureate degree at the University of Arkansas is 120 semester hours. The Nursing major is exempt from the eight-semester degree plan since the program is admissions-based.

Progression, Withdrawal, and Dismissal for R.N. to B.S.N. program (NURSBS-RNBN)

1. For progression in the nursing program, only grades of "C" or above will be accepted. If a student earns a "D" or "F" in a course, the course may be repeated once. The course must be passed (i.e., "C" or better) on the second attempt. If a student earns a "D," "F," or withdraws from the second attempt, this results in dismissal from the nursing program. Students who make less than a "C" may not progress into courses for which that course is a prerequisite until the course is repeated and the required minimum grade attained. If a student earns a D, F, or withdraws from the second attempt, this results in dismissal from the nursing program without eligibility for readmission. 
2. If a student earns a "D" or "F" in a second course, the student will be dismissed from the program and will not be eligible for re-admission.
3. Note that the Eleanor Mann School of nursing uses the following grading scale and exam policy:
   1. ​Grading Scale: A = 92-100% B = 83-91% C= 75-82% D = 62-74% F= below 62%  
4. Exam Policy: A 75% average on class exams is necessary to pass the course. Once this criterion is met, other course grades will be factored into the final grade. The total exam average is calculated by the total earned exam points divided by total available exam points. An average of 74.50% to 74.99% will be rounded to achieve the 75% minimum.
5. If a student withdraws from a course, the course may be repeated. No more than one withdrawal from the same course will be allowed. If not passed with a grade of “C” or higher on the second attempt, the student will be dismissed from the program. 
6. New Graduates of an RN program that do not yet have an RN license, can be admitted and may enroll in a maximum of 6 credit hours of course work within the R.N. to B.S.N. program of study and enrollment duration may not exceed one academic semester or 6 months following Pre-R.N. licensure program completion. If RN licensure is not earned (passing NCLEX) during this time period (i.e., one semester or 6 months), the student will be dismissed from the nursing program.  
7. Licensed students must maintain an active, unencumbered licenses to practice. If at any point in the duration of the program, the student's nursing license becomes encumbered or inactive the student must notify the school of nursing immediately.  Licensed students who do not maintain an active, unencumbered license will be dismissed from the program without eligibility to reapply. If the nursing department discovers a student has an encumbered or inactive license, or has falsified any official licensing information, the student will be immediately dismissed from the nursing program, and a formal report will be shared with the Academic Integrity Board of the University of Arkansas and the student’s state board of nursing will be notified.  
8. For licensed nurses, the school of nursing is a mandated reporter. Positive drug screens, positive background checks, and/or ethical violations may be reported to the student’s state board of nursing and may result in consequences ranging from administrative withdrawal to program dismissal.  If a student is arrested during their program of study, the school of nursing should be notified immediately, and the student will become ineligible for clinical courses pending the outcome of an investigation and/or judicial process. Failure to report is considered a violation of the Code of Ethics. 
9. The school of nursing will comply with the policies, rules, and regulations set by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing. Failure to comply with state board rules and regulations will result in program dismissal.   
10. Students who do not complete all required compliance documents as specified in the Student and Clinical Handbooks by the due date will not be enrolled into the clinical course and must defer to the next available semester upon completion of pending compliance requirements. Students must maintain compliance in EXXAT at all times while enrolled in practicum courses. If students are non-compliant in any area, they will not be allowed to attend practicums until compliance is met. Any falsification or alteration of EXXAT documents are subject to investigation by the Office of Academic Integrity. The appropriate disciplinary action will be determined and may include dismissal from the program. See also practicum handbook.   
11. If a student taking a didactic course with an associated practicum in the same semester decides to withdraw from the didactic course, they must also withdraw from the practicum. 
12. Students should note that any violation of the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing policies or code of ethics can result in course failure and/or dismissal from the program without prior warnings (see student handbook).
13. Three Performance Improvement Plans are evidence of a pattern of behavior that contradicts our policies and code of ethics. A student with three Performance Improvement Plans will meet with program administration and will be subject to dismissal. 
14. A student dismissed from the school of nursing will be asked to self-withdraw from all courses or will be subject to administrative withdrawal.

Repeating Didactic/Clinical Practicum Courses (NURSBS-RNBN)

1. A student who needs to repeat a course in which they were unsuccessful must make an academic success plan with the Academic Advancement faculty to qualify to retake the course. Students that withdraw or are unsuccessful will be reenrolled on a space-available basis according to the following priority system:  
   Priority Groups for Placement in Required Courses 

   1. First Priority – Continuing students in good academic standing ranked by admission cohort. 

   2. Second Priority – Students repeating a course due to withdrawal or failure.

2. Spaces in clinical practicum courses are limited and tightly controlled by accreditation, the State Boards of Nursing, and clinical agency policies. Space in Didactic courses are limited to space available. A student re-enrolling in a Clinical Practicum Course  for any reason will not be assured a clinical placement space in current or subsequent terms.

Readmission Policies

Any student whose enrollment in the professional program of study has been interrupted may seek readmission following the steps below:

Exit Policies

1. Students must complete the requirements for the degree within five years of enrolling in the first upper-level nursing course. Nursing credits must be reevaluated (and may need to be repeated) if the student does not complete the Professional Program of Study within the five-year limit.
2. In addition to the program requirements, students must meet the university and college graduation requirements. This curriculum is subject to change to comply with national accreditation and the Arkansas State Board of Nursing Standards. With curriculum changes/updates students that stop out may be required to start from the beginning of the professional nursing curriculum.

R.N. to B.S.N. Option

Semester Degree Program

The nature of the R.N. to B.S.N. major excludes it from ACT 1014 eight-semester degree-completion program requirements. The degree is a 120-hour degree in accordance with ACT 747.

Presented below is a typical plan for completing this degree in four semesters; individual student plans may vary. 

 Students are not required to enroll in courses during the summer, but courses may be offered. Students may be able to finish the program sooner if they enroll in summer courses.

¹

The General Education Curriculum is designed to measure specific knowledge, skills, and attitudes developed by students at the University of Arkansas.  Since the pre-program requirements are most likely completed at other institutions, learning outcomes 1.1, 2.1, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, and 4.2 will not be measured in this program.

Requirements for L.P.N./L.P.T.N. to B.S.N. Option 

Pre L.P.N. to B.S.N Option (PLNBN)

In line with the university and the College of Education and Health Professions initiatives, the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing seeks to enhance a diverse academic experience for all students. This results in additional expertise in providing care to an increasingly diverse patient population. The pre-nursing option for Licensed Practical Nurses (L.P.N.) provides an online platform for completing the required state minimum core and nursing program prerequisite for admission to the school of nursing.

Once admitted to the university, an academic adviser will evaluate the general education requirements (state minimum core and nursing program prerequisites) that the student has already completed. Students interested in the online L.P.N. to B.S.N. program option will be admitted to the University of Arkansas as pre-nursing majors. The academic adviser will assist each student in developing an individualized course progression plan to meet admission requirements to the nursing program.

Program Admission Policies

Step One - General Education Requirements

Successfully complete all general education requirements (state minimum core and nursing program prerequisites).

All program and University core prerequisites must have a C grade or above in no more than two attempts per course to be eligible for nursing program admission. Program and University core math and science prerequisites must be completed within 10 years of nursing program admission. A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, including transfer credits, is required for nursing program admission.  

Program Requirements

Step Two - Program Admission Requirements

To be considered for nursing program admission, pre-L.P.N. to B.S.N. students will submit their application packet by the following dates:

Fall Start- see nursing.uark.edu

Spring Start- see nursing.uark.edu

Admission packet must include:

1. Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Application.
2. Completion of an accredited/state board approved L.P.N., L.V.N., or L.P.T.N. program. Official transcript required to be on file with the University of Arkansas.
3. Proof and maintenance of an active, unencumbered license to practice as an L.P.N., L.V.N., or L.P.T.N. in Arkansas and/or any other state that has approved of the program. Not all state boards of nursing will accept outside-of-state education. See the program website for current list of the allowed states. Students admitted to the program will be required to maintain this active, unencumbered status for the duration of their enrollment in the program. Nursing program personnel will verify licensure.
4. Employment/nursing experience status of applicant based on the following:

• Documentation from current and/or recent employer(s) where applicant is hired as an L.P.N. including institution or organization name, address, and supervisor contact information, area or unit of service, position title, and employment status (e.g., full-time, part-time, per diem). Employer verification of 2,000-L.P.N. practice-hours have been completed in the 24 months prior to the beginning of the program (form provided in University application).

OR

• If the student has not worked 2000 hours in the last 24 months prior to the beginning of the program, but has worked the required hours previously as a licensed nurse, completion of a state board approved PN-refresher course within 12 months prior to beginning the program is required.

    5.  TEAS test score of 65% or above, taken within the last two years (information on the nursing website). The two-year period is defined as ending on the first day of the academic term in which the student plans to begin the nursing in-program courses.

Completed applicant packets received by each deadline will be reviewed, and acceptance into the program will be dependent on quality of the application and space availability.

Additional Program Information and Requirements

• Students must be aware of Technical Program Standards as listed in the Student Handbook. If students have questions or concerns about their ability to meet the technical standards or if they need to request reasonable accommodations, they should contact the Center for Educational Access prior to the start of the semester and ensure they request any accommodations needed for both didactic and clinical courses. If accommodations are not secured prior to the start of the semester for clinical courses, students may experience delays in clinical placement and course progression.  
• Professional nursing courses for L.P.N. to B.S.N. students are delivered online through the University of Arkansas Global Campus. Clinical practicum experiences are a student-led process using a preceptor model.  Nursing students take the lead in finding clinical sites and preceptors for each of the clinical courses. Our nursing faculty and staff will support students by communicating the required clinical setting type, providing suggestions for clinical site locations, and utilizing our growing network of clinical site agreements to assist students in finding locations. Students will submit clinical sites and preceptor requests to the nursing school, who will then create the clinical site agreement and verify preceptor eligibility. Clinical course placement is not guaranteed, it varies per term and by site. 
• Students must provide proof of all required clinical paperwork, including drug screens and background checks, requested by the school of nursing, (the most current clinical requirements can be located in the student handbook).  
• Students admitted to the program may request up to 3 credit hours of previously completed B.S.N. level course credit in substitution for a core L.P.N. to B.S.N. program of study course. The nursing faculty evaluate core L.P.N. to B.S.N. course substitution petitions for eligibility. Only courses taken within the last five years will be eligible for review.
• Students who have started an L.P.N. to R.N. or L.P.N. to B.S.N. program at another institution are required to submit a letter from the nursing program director stating eligibility for readmission.

Credit for courses listed below will be held in escrow. The student will receive credit for these courses upon successful completion of the program.

Requirements for Bachelor of Science in Nursing L.P.N. to B.S.N. Option (NURSBS-LNBN)

The minimum number of hours required to receive a baccalaureate degree at the University of Arkansas is 120 semester hours. The nursing major is exempt from the eight-semester degree plan since the program is admission-based.

Progression, Withdrawal, and Dismissal for L.P.N. to B.S.N. program (NURSBS-LNBN)

1. For progression in the nursing program, only grades of "C" or above will be accepted. If a student earns a "D" or "F" in a course, the course may be repeated once. The course must be passed (i.e., "C" or better) on the second attempt. If a student earns a "D," "F," or withdraws from the second attempt, this results in dismissal from the nursing program. Students who make less than a "C" may not progress into courses for which that course is a prerequisite until the course is repeated and the required minimum grade attained. If a student earns a D, F, or withdraws from the second attempt, this results in dismissal from the nursing program without eligibility for readmission.
2. If a student earns a "D" or "F" in a second course (e, the student will be dismissed from the program and will not be eligible for re-admission.   
3. Note that the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing uses the following grading scale and exam policy
   1. Grading Scale: A = 92-100% B = 83-91% C = 75-82% D = 62-74% F = below 62%
4. Exam Policy: A 75% average on class exams is necessary to pass the course. Once this criterion is met, other course grades will be factored into the final grade. The total exam average is calculated by the total earned exam points divided by total available exam points. An average of 74.50% to 74.99% will be rounded to achieve the 75% minimum.   
5. The proctored ATI testing requirements (including practice exams and remediation) embedded within the curriculum are mandatory, they are required to be completed fully for a final grade to be awarded in each course.
6. ATI Predictor Exam: Remediation of the Comprehensive Predictor (and retake if applicable) is required to be completed fully for a final grade to be awarded in the course. If each component of the required remediation is not complete before the end of the course, students will not be approved to graduate or take the NCLEX-RN exam until requirements are met.  
7. Course Withdrawal - Students may withdraw from a NURS course up to one time. The course must be passed with a “C” or higher on the second attempt.   
8. Students who do not pass the Dosage Calculation Exam ‎per handbook policy will be administratively withdrawn from the respective clinical practicum course.‎ This may lead to a delay in graduation and/or dismissal from the program. See handbook for details. 
9. Licensed students must maintain an active, unencumbered license to practice nursing. If the student's license becomes encumbered or inactive at any point in the program's duration, the student must notify the school of nursing immediately. Licensed students who do not maintain an active, unencumbered license will be dismissed from the program without eligibility to reapply. If the nursing department discovers a student has an encumbered or inactive license, or has falsified any official licensing information, the student will be immediately dismissed from the nursing program, and a formal report will be shared with the Academic Integrity Board of the University of Arkansas and the student’s state board of nursing will be notified.  
10. For licensed nurses, the school of nursing is a mandated reporter.  Positive drug screens, positive background checks, and/or ethical violations may be reported to the student’s state board of nursing and may result in consequences ranging from administrative withdrawal to program dismissal.   
11. If a student is arrested during their program of study, the school of nursing should be notified immediately, and the student will become ineligible for clinical courses pending the outcome of an investigation and/or judicial process. Failure to report is considered a violation of the Code of Ethics. 
12. The school of nursing will comply with the policies, rules, and regulations set by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing and that of the student's respective State Board of Nursing. Failure to comply with state board rules and regulations will result in program dismissal.  
13.  Students who do not complete all required compliance documents as specified in the Student and Clinical Handbooks by the due date will not be enrolled into the clinical course and must defer to the next available semester upon completion of pending compliance requirements. Students must maintain compliance in EXXAT at all times while enrolled in practicum courses. If students are non-compliant in any area, they will not be allowed to attend practicums until compliance is met. Any falsification or alteration of EXXAT documents are subject to investigation by the Office of Academic Integrity. The appropriate disciplinary action will be determined and may include dismissal from the program. See also practicum handbook.   
14. If a student taking a didactic course with an associated practicum in the same semester decides to withdraw from the didactic course, they must also withdraw from the practicum in compliance with Arkansas State Board of Nursing regulations. 
15. Students should note that any violations of the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing policies, or code of ethics can result in course failure and/or dismissal from the program without prior warnings (see student handbook).  
16. Three Performance Improvement Plans are evidence of a pattern of behavior that contradicts our policies and code of ethics. A student with three Performance Improvement Plans will meet with program administration and will be subject to dismissal without readmission eligibility. 
17. A student dismissed from the school of nursing will be asked to self-withdraw from all courses or will be subject to administrative withdrawal. These students are ineligible to request a letter of good standing from the EMSON.  

Repeating Didactic/Clinical Practicum Courses (NURSBS-LNBN)

1. A student who needs to repeat a course in which they were unsuccessful must make an academic success plan with the Academic Advancement faculty to qualify to retake the course.  
2. Students that withdraw or are unsuccessful will be reenrolled on a space-available basis according to the following priority system: Priority Groups for Placement in Required Courses
   1. First Priority — Continuing students in good academic standing ranked by admission cohort.
   2. Second Priority — Students repeating a course due to withdrawal or failure.
3. Spaces in clinical practicum courses are limited and tightly controlled by accreditation, the State Boards of Nursing, and clinical agency policies. Enrollment in didactic courses are limited to space availability. A student re-enrolling in a clinical practicum course for any reason will not be assured a clinical placement space in current or subsequent terms. 

Readmission Policies

Any student whose enrollment in the professional program of study has been interrupted may seek readmission following the steps below:

Exit Policies

1. Students must complete the requirements for the degree within five years of enrolling in the first upper-level nursing course. Nursing credits must be reevaluated (and may need to be repeated) if the student does not complete the Professional Program of Study within the five-year limit.
2. All University of Arkansas requirements must be met. In addition to the program requirements, students must meet the university and college graduation requirements. This curriculum is subject to change to comply with national accreditation and the Arkansas State Board of Nursing Standards. Curriculum changes or updates occurring since the time a student stopped out of the program may result in the student being required to start from the beginning of the professional nursing curriculum.

L.P.N. to B.S.N. Option (NURSBS-LNBN)

Semester Plan

The nature of the L.P.N. to B.S.N. major excludes it from ACT 1014 eight-semester degree-completion program requirements. The  degree is a 120 credit hour degree in accordance with ACT 747.

The L.P.N. to B.S.N. major was built for working nurses and intended to be taken at a part time pace. Presented below is the recommended plan for completing this degree within the five-year program completion deadline; individual student plans may vary.  

¹

Students must complete the State Minimum Core requirements as outlined in the Catalog of Studies. The courses that meet the state minimum core also fulfill many of the university's General Education requirements, although there are additional considerations to satisfy the general education learning outcomes. Students are encouraged to consult with their academic adviser when making course selections.

Faculty

Ballentine, Hope, D.N.P. (University of Arkansas), M.S.N. (Vanderbilt University), B.A. (Harding University), Teaching Assistant Professor, 2014, 2018.
Bowling, Hilary, D.N.P. (University of Pittsburgh), M.S.N., B.S.N. (University of Arkansas), Clinical Assistant Professor, 2014, 2022.
Bradley, Callie, D.N.P. (University of Utah), Visiting Clinical Assistant Professor, 2020.
Butler, Martha R., Ph.D. (Texas Woman’s University), M.N., B.S.N. (Wichita State University), Assistant Professor, 2008, 2018.
Casida, Jesse, Ph.D. (Seton Hall University), M.S.N. (Columbia University), B.S. (Bicol University, Phillipines), Professor, George M. and Boyce W. Billingsley Endowed Chair in Nursing, 2022.
Dunbar, Diana, M.S.N. (University of Central Arkansas), B.S.N. (University of Central Oklahoma), Clinical Instructor, 2015, 2019.
Emory, DeAnna Jan, Ph.D. (University of Arkansas), M.S., B.S.N. (University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center), Associate Professor, 2012, 2018.
Franks, Lisa, D.N.P. (University of Missouri-Columbia), M.S.N., B.S.N. (University of Arkansas), Instructor, 2014.
Garrett, B. J., M.S.N. (Angelo State University), Instructor, 2018.
Gilmet, Kelsey, Ph.D. (University of Illinois-Chicago), M.S.N. (University of Minnesota), B.A. (Kalamazoo College), Instructor, 2016.
Hall, David, M.S.N., B.S.N. (University of Arkansas), Instructor, 2020.
Jarrett, Anna Lee, Ph.D., M.S.N. (University of Missouri-Columbia), B.S.N. (Missouri Southern State College), Associate Professor, 2012, 2018.
Johnson, Kelly Vowell, Ed.D. (University of Arkansas), M.N.Sc. (University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences) B.S.N. (Arkansas Tech University), Associate Professor, 2013, 2021.
Kilmer, Michele, D.N.P. (University of Alabama), M.S.N (Texas Tech University), B.S.N. (Harding University), Assistant Professor, 2017, 2018.
Kippenbrock, Thomas A., Ed.D. (Indiana University at Bloomington), M.S. (Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis), B.S.N. (Indiana State University), Professor, 2003.
Lee, Peggy B., Ed.D. (University of Arkansas), M.S. (University of Southern Mississippi), B.S.N. (Mississippi College), Teaching Associate Professor, 2009, 2021.
Lofton, Annelle L., M.S.N. (University of Arkansas), B.S.N. (University of Arkansas), Clinical Instructor, 2013.
Miller, Bettie Gale, M.S.N. (University of Phoenix), M.S., B.S.E., B.S.N. (University of Arkansas), Instructor, 2003.
Murray, Lori M., D.N.P. (University of Kansas Medical Center), M.S., B.S.N. (University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center), Teaching Assistant Professor, 2015, 2017.
Peterson, Katelyn, M.S.N., B.S.N. (University of Arkansas), Instructor, 2021.
Sabatini, Lindsey Rachel, D.N.P., M.S., B.S.N., B.S. (University of Arkansas), Instructor, 2012.
Scott, Allison L., D.N.P. (University of Missouri-Kansas City), M.S.N., B.S.N. (University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences), Associate Professor, 2006, 2021.
Shreve, Marilou D., D.N.P., M.S.N. (University of Missouri-Kansas City), B.S.N. (University of Arkansas), Associate Professor, 2013, 2021.
Throop, Kathy, M.S.N. (Northeastern Oklahoma State University), B.S.N. (Baylor University), Instructor, 2019.
Zayas, Fernanda, M.S.N. (Lenoir-Rhyne University), Clinical Instructor, 2018.