• General Information
  • Accreditation
• Mission
• Philosophy
• Organizing Framework
• Program Outcomes
• Admission Criteria
• Application Packet
• Prior to Registering for Classes
• Selection
• Degree Requirements
• Progression and Graduation
• Residency Requirements
• Clinical Education
• Expenses
• Contact Information

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General Information

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.

Accreditation

The RN-BSN Online Completion Program in the Carolyn McKelvey Moore School of Nursing is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC). The NLNAC may be contacted at 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 500, Atlanta, GA, 30326, telephone 404-975-5000.

The Carolyn McKelvey Moore School of Nursing is approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing.

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Mission

The mission of the 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. to the top

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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, 1998).

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 RN-BSN Online Completion Program graduate will:

1. Use the nursing process and critical thinking to promote, maintain and restore the health of individuals and families throughout the lifespan.
2. Evaluate the application of research findings to support evidence-based practice.
3. Communicate effectively using interpersonal, written, and technological strategies.
4. Integrate leadership and management skills in the provision of cost-effective quality health care.
5. Individualize culturally and ethnically sensitive health promotion strategies with individuals, families, populations and communities in a variety of settings.
6. Model professional role development through nursing behaviors consistent with professional standards.

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Admission Criteria

Admission to the UA Fort Smith RN-BSN Online Completion Program is selective. In order to be considered for admission to the program, students must

1. Complete the admission requirements to enter UA Fort Smith.
2. Submit an official transcript showing successful completion of an NLNAC accredited associate degree or diploma nursing program to the UA Fort Smith Records Office. Students graduating from a nursing program that is not NLNAC accredited will be evaluated on an individual basis.
3. Have a cumulative grade point average of 2.50 with a grade of “C” or better in all college courses that apply toward the RN-BSN degree.
4. Have a current, unencumbered license as a registered nurse. A valid unencumbered license must be maintained throughout the completion of the program.
5. Have evidence of work experience or satisfactory completion of an RN Refresher course according to the following guidelines:
   1. 0-12 months after graduation - no work experience required.
   2. >12 months after graduation - at least 1000 hours of nursing employment during the last 12-24 months or successful completion of an RN refresher course approved by the UA Fort Smith Executive Director of BSN Programs

RNs who have met these guidelines are eligible to receive credit for core nursing courses (30 credits) by validation (without testing).

• Completion of all general education courses is recommended prior to acceptance into the nursing program.
• Admission into the UA Fort Smith RN-BSN Online Completion Program is required prior to enrollment in the nursing sequence.

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Application Packet

RN-BSN Online Completion Program Application and Information Packet

Student Health Statement/Medical Release Form

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Prior to Registering for Classes

RN-BSN students will be required to submit the following:

1. Current license as a registered nurse.
2. Professional liability insurance with minimum limits of $1,000,000 incident and $3,000,000 aggregate.
3. Current CPR certification for Healthcare Providers (American Heart Association).
4. A completed Student Health Statement/Medical Release Form.
5. Official transcripts must be submitted to the UA Fort Smith Records Office.
6. Immunizations: Current TST test and Tetanus; Measles/Mumps/Rubella; Hepatitis B (complete series or waiver); Varicella or documentation of prior illness or waiver.

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Selection

Students are admitted into the RN-BSN Online Completion Program in the fall and spring semesters. Students who meet the minimum criteria are eligible to submit an application for admission to the 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.

*Due to limited class size, students are selected based on GPA.

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Degree Requirements

View the degree requirements for the Degree Plans

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Progression and Graduation

Progression

Students progress through the program by earning a grade of “C” or better in all nursing courses. In combined theory and clinical courses, a passing grade of “C” in the theory component and a Satisfactory in the clinical component is required to pass the course. Students will be subject to all policies established by UA Fort Smith and, in the case of unethical, illegal or unprofessional behavior, the nursing faculty will investigate, impose any sanctions, and determine retention in the program.

Graduation is dependent on completing all hours required by the university and a grade point average of 2.00 or better.

The grading system is consistent with the College of Health Sciences policies and follows a scale of: A (93-100), B (85-92), C (77-84), D (69-76), F (below 69), W, IP, and AU. Course graded materials and activities include, but are not limited to, scholarly papers, presentations, teaching projects, exams, course participation, clinical performance, and portfolio presentation.

Grievance procedures for academic appeals follow UA Fort Smith BSN Student Handbook and the UA Fort Smith guidelines outlined in the course catalog.

Graduation

Upon successful completion of the program with a grade point average of 2.00 or better, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree is awarded. The student must meet with their academic 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.

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Residency Requirements

Thirty (30) of the last thirty-six (36) credit hours of the RN-BSN Online Completion Program must be completed at UA Fort Smith.

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Clinical Education

Students will complete clinical experiences in three of the RN-BSN courses. These experiences will be in diverse settings and facilitated by a preceptor to meet the learning needs of the individual student.

Expenses

Tuition And Fees

Tuition
In-State	$149
Out-of-State	$329
Additional Expenses
Books	$1200
Uniforms	$60
Total Estimated Cost of Attendance
In-State	$20,398
Out-of-State	$37,858

Estimated cost for the 2009-2010 school year - costs may change without notice and additional costs may be incurred throughout the program's entirety.

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Contact Information

• Lori Jones
• Coordinator of Academic Support Services
• Office: Pendergraft Health Sciences Center 108
• Phone: 479-788-7841
• Fax: 479-788-7869
• Email: lojones@uafortsmith.edu

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