*Pre-licensure (Generic) Program Track
The Generic program is open to students who have completed the prescribed core of basic science and liberal arts courses required to establish the foundational knowledge for upper division nursing courses. *See the 8 semester (Curriculum) plan. Students applying for admission to upper division must meet basic functional ability and skill requirements for professional nurses. Functional abilities are those physical and mental activities and attributes needed by a nurse to practice essential functions safely, with or without accommodations. Students must also meet the following admission requirements:
- Gain admission to the University;
- Declare nursing as an intended major;
- File an application with the Department of Nursing no later than March 15 for the fall semester of the year in which the student plans to seek admission;
- Students admitted to the program must have completed program prerequisite courses and maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale and a grade of ‘C’ or better in all prerequisite courses. Admission GPA is calculated using only general education prerequisite courses. Elective course hours are excluded from calculation of the GPA;
- Successfully complete the required Departmental Admission Exam with a score of 65 or higher. (The Department reserves the right to determine the vendor for the Admission Exam); and
- Submit official copies of transcripts from all schools attended.
- Obtain an ACT of 17 or above or comparable Compass test scores. Evidence of successful completion of required remedial courses may be accepted.
- Students who speak English as a second language shall meet the same admission requirements. In addition international students must follow the admission procedures for the University which are found in the UAPB Undergraduate Catalog and shall pass an English Proficiency Examination.
- Upon Admission to the program students must present evidence of clinical requirements:
- TB Skin Test
- Hepatitis Series
- Varicella Vaccines (or Titer)
- Tetanus (within 10 yrs.)
- MMR
- Flu Vaccine **
- Current CPR Certification
- *Criminal Background checks (CBC)
- Urine Drug Screens
- FIT Testing
- COVID-19***
*** Effective Fall 2021- UAPB Department of Nursing does not require nursing students to receive COVID-19 vaccines or the recommended boosters. However, clinical facilities that partner with UAPB establish their own workplace policies, and may require faculty and students to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 in order to work in the facility or to be assigned to specific areas. Students electing not to receive the COVID-19 vaccine series or boosters may not be able to complete program requirements, which will result in non-progression through the program. Faculty and students who have received the COVID-19 vaccine should submit a copy for their file.
** Required for specific clinical agencies
The cost of these screenings is at the expense of the individual student. State law requires that students applying for acceptance into a medical education program submit to State and Federal Criminal Background Check *CBC’s prior to admission. The admission CBC is in addition to the Arkansas State Board of Nursing (ASBN) CBC that is required prior to sitting for the NCLEX-RN.
The Department uses CastleBranch for student admission CBC’s. Students must log on to this site, set up an account and request the CBC. Results are posted on the CastleBranch portal in a secure tamper-proof location. This allows only the student and the Nursing Department administrators to view the results.
The urine drug screen is coordinated by the Department. Students will receive instructions on obtaining drug screens on the first day of class.
Students who have been convicted of **certain crimes may not be allowed to do clinical in certain clinical agencies and may be declared ineligible by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing to test for licensure (NCLEX-RN), despite successful completion of the program. (See Sub Chapter 3). Students who have a conviction must make this fact known at time of application. All applicants accepted into the nursing program are required to have background checks and will be required to pay all associated fees.
The Pre-Licensure (Generic) BSN program is approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing.
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