Admissions Information
- Academic Requirements
- Admission to Upper Division
- Pass/No Credit Grade (P/NC) Option for Nursing Majors
- Minimum Requirements
- Entrance Exam
- Other Requirements
- Arkansas Tech University - Office of Admissions
ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS
Admission into the lower-division courses is open to any student meeting ATU's admission requirements. Applications to ATU are available in the Office of Admissions (website listed above). Original transcripts are to be mailed to Office of Admissions and a copy to the Nursing Department. See the Arkansas Tech University Catalog for additional information.
Admission to the upper-division nursing courses is competitive and subject to approval by the Nursing Department's Admission and Progression Committee. The Admission and Progression Committee reviews the applicant's record and makes recommendations regarding the student's admission into the Nursing Program. Students are considered for admission during the semester preceding the semester in which they plan to enter the nursing courses. All transcripts and credentials must be submitted to the Department of Nursing by March 1st for students applying for admission to Upper Division Nursing for the fall semester or October 1st for the spring semester. Students applying after these dates will be considered as space and resources permit. Students will be assisted through this process by their academic advisor. NOTE: If not currently enrolled at ATU, an Admissions application must be completed (website listed above).
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS - also see Arkansas Tech University Catalog
These courses are part of the general education curriculum required for all graduates of ATU. Further information about these requirements can be found in the ATU catalog. Students should work closely with their advisors to determine the selection of courses.
ADMISSION TO UPPER DIVISION
Minimum Admission Requirements - Admission to the upper division nursing courses is competitive and subject to approval by the Nursing Department's Admission and Progression Committee. Students are considered for admission the spring and fall preceding the semesters they plan to enter upper division nursing courses. All transcripts and/or credentials along with an Application to Upper Division must be submitted to the Department of Nursing by March 1 for fall admission or by October 1 for spring admission. Eligible repeating students applying for readmission must submit all materials by the date that immediately follows the last day of the end of semester final exams.
Minimum requirements for acceptance into the upper division (Level 0) nursing courses are:
| 1. | Prerequisite grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Students will be admitted according to the criteria for selection of upper division students. |
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2.
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Completion of the following courses with a grade of "C" or better in each ENGL 1013, Composition I, ENGL 1023 Composition II, MATH 1113* College Algebra, BIOL 2014* Human Anatomy or BIOL 2404* Human Anatomy and Physiology I, BIOL 3054* Microbiology or BIOL 2054* Microbiology for Health Sciences, BIOL 3074* Human Physiology or BIOL 2414* Human Anatomy and Physiology II, CHEM 1113* A Survey of Chemistry and CHEM 1111* Survey of Chemistry Laboratory, PSY 2003 General Psychology, SOC 1003 Introductory Sociology, and NUR 2303* Nutrition. (All attempts/grades will be averaged for courses with * listed above. |
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3.
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Completion of the following General Education courses (See General Education Requirements for specific course alternatives):
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| 4. | Completion of an entrance exam with a score of proficient or higher. Students are allowed only two attempts on this exam. |
In order to apply to Upper Division, the student must be enrolled or have completed a minimum of 48 hours of required prerequisite courses and have a GPA ≥ 3.0. The student must also complete the Entrance Exam. Effective August 1, 2017, a student can only take the Entrance Exam (TEAS) two (2) times for admission to Upper Division Nursing.
The Admission and Progression Committee uses the following criteria to rank applicants for admission to upper division nursing courses. These criteria utilize existing admission policies.
Applicants will be ranked in groups and the criteria for selection of upper division students are as follows:
For students desiring entry to Upper Division Nursing (Level 0):
- Student has GPA ≥ 3.0 during time of application and at the end of current semester; and Proficient or higher on the entrance exam.
- Do not admit at this time.
Pass/No Credit Grade (P/NC) Option for Nursing majors:
Admission to Upper Division Nursing is competitive, based on completion of prerequisite courses, GPA and entrance exam scores.
Although students may select the P/NC option Spring 2020 semester, any course required for admission to the nursing program will be recorded on the Upper Division application according to the letter grade originally recorded for the course.
The P/NC option will not be recorded on applications for admission to the Nursing program.
Should a student need to make reapplication to the program, the original grade earned will be used to calculate reapplication paperwork.
Admission of college freshman who obtained Upward Bound/Advanced Placement/Concurrent hours while attending high school:
ATU Nursing Department wishes to offer these specific high school students the opportunity to complete their courses within a timely manner.
Criteria for consideration:
1. GPA ≥ 3.70
2. Proficiency score ≥ 72.0 on Entrance Exam
3. No more than 8 hours of courses to complete in the summer before entry into Level
0
4. Outstanding courses must be completed at ATU during summer session between spring
and fall. All pre-requisite courses to be complete prior to the start of Level
0.
5. Grade of B or better on summer course completed to meet prerequisite requirements.
Failure to meet items 4 and/or 5 result in loss of position in Upper Division.
READMIT POLICY:
Any student that fails an Upper Division nursing course (with the exception of nursing electives), withdraws, or has a break in enrollment (including medical emergencies/complications) must reapply for progression in the nursing program by the end of each fall/spring semester for readmission to the following fall/spring semester. Reapplication must be made by the date immediately following the last day of end of semester final exams. To reapply, the student shall write a letter of intent addressing reasons for past failure and a plan of action to enhance future success within the nursing program, schedule an appointment with his/her level coordinator to complete the "Reapplication to Upper Division: form then submit the completed packet to the Admission and Progression committee. Completion of the reapplication process is the responsibility of the student. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Reapplication will be based on the availability of positions within the repeating level, letter of intent and current GPA. Should several students reapply for the same level and there are a limited number of positions, GPA ranking, in conjunction with their letter of intent, will guide the committee decision-making process.
OTHER ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Health
In addition to the other admission and progression requirements of the ATU Department of Nursing, every student must possess and maintain the following:
- Intellectual ability to synthesize the body of knowledge necessary to practice nursing
- Physical capability to gain access to clients in a variety of setting, and the capability to provideprofessional nursing care in these settings.
- Physical stamina to participate in routine physical aspects of nursing care.
- Communication skills to effectively utilize nursing care plans.
- Motor skills to effect interventions required in application of nursing care.
Abilities and Skills for Admission to and Progression
The ATU Department of Nursing requires abilities and skills for admission and progression in the curriculum based on those required of a practicing professional nurse.
The professional nurse must possess the knowledge and ability to effectively assess his or her patient's biophysical, psychological, social, cultural, and intellectual domains. Further, the professional nurse must competently analyze the assessment data through critical thinking to arrive at a definition of the patient's status or problem, plan independently or collaboratively for a full range of therapeutic interventions, execute all or part of the plans through nursing acts, and evaluate the care delivered and the patient's responses to it.
A candidate for professional nursing must have the abilities and skills necessary for use of the nursing process (scientific decision-making process). These skills and abilities include: observation; communication; motor ability; conceptualization; integration and quantification; and behavioral/social acceptability. Technological accommodation can be made for some disabilities in certain of these areas, but a candidate should be able to perform in a reasonably independent manner. The use of a trained intermediary is not acceptable, in that a candidate's judgment must not be mediated by someone else's power of observation and selection.
The following abilities and skills are necessary to meet the requirements of the curriculum:
- Observation: The candidate must be able to observe a patient accurately at a distance and close at hand. Observation necessitates the functional use of the sense of vision and tactile sensation. It is enhanced by the functional use of the sense of smell. This includes the student to remain conscious at all times.
- Communication: The candidate must be able to speak, to hear, and to observe patients in order to elicit information; describe changes in mood, activity, and posture; and perceive nonverbal communications. A candidate must be able to communicate effectively and sensitively with patients. Communication includes not only speech but reading and writing. The candidate must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in oral and written form with all members of the health care team. For any student with a language barrier or other speech issue. (This often includes communications in a clear, precise, and fluent ability.)
- Motor: Candidates should have sufficient motor function to elicit information from patients by palpation, auscultation, percussion, and other assessment maneuvers. A candidate must have sufficient motor skills to gain access to clients in a variety of care settings and to manipulate the equipment central to the treatment of patients receiving professional nursing care. Such actions require coordination of both gross and fine muscular movements, equilibrium, and functional use of the senses of touch and vision. Students must be able to list at least 20 lbs. using proper body mechanics.
- Intellectual-Conceptual, Integrative, and Quantitative Abilities: These abilities include measurement, calculation, dimensional analysis, reasoning, analysis, and synthesis. Problem solving, the critical skill demanded of nurses, requires all of these intellectual abilities. In addition, the candidate should be able to comprehend three dimensional relationships and to understand the spatial relationships of structures.
- Behavioral and Social Attributes: A candidate must possess the emotional health required for full utilization of his or her intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgment, the prompt completion of all responsibilities attendant to the care of patients, and the development of mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with patients. Candidates must be able to tolerate physically taxing workloads and to function effectively under stress. They must be able to adapt to changing environments, to display flexibility, and to learn to function in the face of uncertainties inherent in the clinical problems of many patients. Compassion, integrity, concern for other, interpersonal skills, interest, and motivation are all personal qualities necessary for professional nursing.
CPR Certification
Current certification of Basic Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation of adult, child and infant as taught by the American Heart Association is a requirement for entry into upper division nursing classes. A copy of the CPR card must be received in the Nursing Department prior to beginning nursing courses. The card shall be current and suffice for that entire year of courses. Students must recertify before entering the senior year.
Liability Insurance
Students are required to have professional liability insurance of $2,000,000. This is at the student's own expense. For improved coverage at the lowest possible cost Mercer Health & Benefits was chosen to provide blanket coverage for *$16.00 per student per year. Payment for the student policy must be made at the Student Accounts office in the Brown Hall on the dates listed below. Please be sure to submit a copy of your receipt for the blanket coverage insurance or a copy of your individual professional liability insurance policy with evidence that you are covered as a nursing student with the completed Admission/Required Documentation Packet.
Students who have completed NUR 2023/NUR 3103 in the Spring Term payments must be made between July 5 and August 1st. Payment will be refused before July 4. Insurance must be paid by August 1.
Students who are enrolled for NUR 2023/NUR 3103 in the Fall Term payments must be made between December 10 and January 15. Insurance must be paid by January 15.
Note for Level III Students: Insurance expires after one year. Must be renewed before Level III clinicals - see dates above.
*Price subject to change.
Miscellaneous
Proof of Licensure for RNs and LPNs
- All RN and LPN applicants will submit a current copy of their license and update license yearly. Falsification of this information will be cause for dismissal.
Hepatitis B Vaccine
- It is required that each student enrolled in a clinical nursing course initiate the Hepatitis B vaccine series prior to clinical experiences. The series must be complete within that first year.
