Campus Mission Statement

Arkansas Tech University-Ozark Campus, in partnership with the community, will provide a quality educational environment which will enable all students to learn the skills and acquire the knowledge necessary for them to become contributing members in the workforce and in society.

Registered Nursing Mission Statement

To provide an intellectual climate that fosters the development of critical thinking to prepare a graduate who is professional, caring, competent, and self-directed in providing therapeutic nursing intervention and demonstrates an interest in life-long learning, as well as to assist the student to achieve personal and professional goals regardless of cultural, racial, or ethnic background.

ATU Vision Statement

Arkansas Tech University: where students succeed, innovation thrives, and communities’ flourish.

Philosophy of the Registered Nursing Program

The mission of the Associate of Applied Science in Nursing program is to provide an intellectual climate that fosters the development of critical thinking to prepare a graduate who is professional, caring, competent, and self-directed in providing therapeutic nursing intervention and demonstrates an interest in life-long learning, as well as to assist the student to achieve personal and professional goals regardless of cultural, racial, or ethnic background.

Nursing Philosophy

The faculty of the Department of Nursing at Arkansas Tech University – Ozark Campus seeks through its associate degree nursing program to implement the mission of the Ozark campus of the University, a mission committed to prepare students to learn the skills and acquire the knowledge to contribute to the workforce and to society.

Individuals are complex beings with bio-psychosocial, emotional, spiritual, cultural, and environmental elements. The Associate of Applied Science in Nursing program is committed to providing opportunities for students to enhance their critical thinking and communication skills in therapeutic interventions. The graduate will utilize the nursing process to assist individuals, families, and groups to meet their bio-psycho-social, emotional, spiritual, cultural, and environmental needs.

Nursing is a caring relationship that facilitates health and healing. Encompassing the acquisition and critical application of knowledge from nursing and the social, psychological, biological, and physical sciences, nursing meets the health needs of individuals, families, and groups. As a profession with responsibilities and privileges, nursing is concerned with promotive, restorative, and supportive practices aimed to optimize health in the recipients of care. Nursing is publicly accountable to the society it serves, obligated to improve nursing practice through acquisition, utilization, augmentation, and promotion of knowledge and skills, as well as the systematic study of the effects of these practices on human health.

Learning is essentially manifested in a change or reorganization of behavior and is best accomplished through active inquiry and participation in the learning process. Learning is a lifelong, self-initiated process by which knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values are acquired. Learning occurs independently through perception, assimilation, formulation, and synthesis. The teacher functions as a facilitator by establishing a learning climate of mutual respect regarding beliefs, feelings, and opinions, and by providing learning opportunities and guidance with regard to individual differences. Learning experiences are designed to facilitate personal and professional growth within the student's cognitive, affective, and psychomotor domains. The ultimate responsibility for learning rests with the learner.

Nursing education, an integral part of higher education, fosters the generation and application of scientific knowledge through the nursing process. These learning experiences are organized for an orderly progression through an increasing complexity of nursing situations. During the educational process, the student acquires knowledge of the independent and collaborative functions of the nurse.

Associate degree nursing education prepares a graduate to function as an entry level registered nurse, providing direct care to persons as individuals and as members of a family or group. The curriculum is designed to prepare the person for registered nursing practice, to be competent, self-directed, and capable of demonstrating leadership in the application of the nursing process in a variety of healthcare settings.

The graduate should demonstrate initiative for responsible change, the ability to think critically, and a lifelong quest for knowledge and growth, and will be encouraged at every step along the educational path to follow up this program by entering a baccalaureate program in nursing to demonstrate this quest for knowledge and growth.

This philosophy is very similar to and in fact mirrors, when possible, the philosophy of the Nursing program of the Arkansas Tech University – Russellville campus in an attempt to emphasize the cohesive nature that the two registered nursing programs offered by the University share.

The Associate Degree of Registered Nursing program at Arkansas Tech University located in Ozark, AR is accredited by the: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)  3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA  30326, Phone:  (404) 975-5000, Web site: www.acenursing.org). The most recent accreditation decision by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Associate Degree Nursing program is Initial Accreditation.  The Associate Degree program is approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing (Address: University Tower Bldg., 1123 South University, Suite 800, Little Rock, AR 72204-1619, Phone: (501) 686-2700) and the Arkansas Department of Higher Education.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

This program is designed for persons who are already licensed practical nurses (LPN) and wish to pursue their AAS-RN degree. Because they are already licensed, many of them also are already employed. This program of study is designed to provide greater flexibility by offering half of the nursing theory courses online and half of the nursing theory courses in classroom lectures, giving students an option to continue working while pursuing the degree.

A Paramedic to Registered Nursing transition course is available in Spring semesters.  In order to transition from the role of paramedic to registered nurse, the student must have an understanding of nursing concepts and theories related to meeting the basic needs of humans and the scope of practice for the RN.  To provide this opportunity, we have created a six-credit hour transition course in which the nursing process is introduced.  Building on the knowledge of the paramedic, this course transitions paramedics to the professional scope and practice of the nurse.

Paramedics who wish to pursue the transition to registered nursing program must successfully complete RN 2006 Paramedic Transition to Nursing.  Paramedics choosing to transition to nursing will be required to apply to the Nursing program.  Students accepted into the program must complete a platform of 37 hours of coursework with a “C” or better and a minimum 2.75 GPA prior to admission to the technical phase of the RN program.  Paramedics must hold a National Paramedic Registry Certificate and at time of application and must have either a) graduated from an approved paramedic program in the 12 months prior to application with 600 work hours completed by June 1^st OR b) been employed a minimum of 1,000 hours as a paramedic in the 12 months prior to application. Volunteer hours are not considered in the 1,000 hours.

Paramedics who choose to transition are not required to be Licensed Practical Nurses.

Students who are pursuing a program of study where admission is limited (Cosmetology, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Physical Therapist Assistant, Practical Nursing and Registered Nursing) will be assigned a major of Associate of General Studies until admitted into their selected program.

In order to be considered for admission to the Registered Nursing program, each student must meet the following criteria:

LPN to RN

• Completion of platform coursework with a “C” or better and a minimum 2.75 GPA; conditional acceptance may be granted to those students who are in the process of completing remaining platform coursework. Failure to maintain a 2.75 GPA and “C” or better upon completion of remaining platform coursework or failure to complete all platform coursework prior to the start of the program may lead to forfeiture of RN program admission offer.
• All courses required in the platform for the nursing program are either currently offered on the Arkansas Tech University Ozark or Russellville campuses. Applicants with platform coursework completed at other institutions should have their official transcripts sent to the Office of Student Services for review. The LPN to RN platform coursework can be viewed HERE.
• Current unencumbered Arkansas LPN licensure. Recent graduates must have made application to the Arkansas State Board of Nursing in order to be considered for conditional admission. Upon an applicant receiving conditional admission, the applicant must show proof of a temporary license prior to beginning coursework. The applicant must pass the NCLEX-PN prior to the final date to drop/withdraw from courses with full reduction of tuition/fees. Failure to take or pass the NCLEX-PN by this time will result in the student being administratively withdrawn from the program.
• Eligibility for admission to Arkansas Tech University-Ozark Campus.
• Submission of complete and accurate RN Program Application Packet for Admission.
• Completion of appropriate HESI PN.
• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Students who speak English as a second language must meet the same admission criteria as other students.
• Must have either a) graduated from an Arkansas State Board of Nursing approved Practical Nursing school in the 12 months prior to application OR b) been employed a minimum of 1,000 hours as an LPN in the 12 months prior to application. Work experience must be in acute or long-term care. Volunteer hours are not considered in the 1,000 hours.

Paramedic to RN

• Completion of platform coursework with a “C” or better and a minimum 2.75 GPA; conditional acceptance may be granted to those students who are in the process of completing remaining platform coursework. Failure to maintain a 2.75 GPA and “C” or better upon completion of remaining platform coursework or failure to complete all platform coursework prior to the start of the program may lead to forfeiture of RN program admission offer.
• All courses required in the platform for the nursing program are either currently offered on the Arkansas Tech University Ozark or Russellville campuses. Applicants with platform coursework completed at other institutions should have their official transcripts sent to the Office of Student Services for review. The Paramedic to RN platform coursework can be viewed HERE.
• Hold a certification from the Arkansas Department of Health as a paramedic and current registration as a paramedic with the National Registry of EMTs.
• Submission of complete and accurate RN Program Application Packet for Admission.
• Completion of Paramedic to ADN MOBILITY HESI EXAM testing.
• The ADN Mobility HESI Exam is a 50-question test that will identify one’s strengths and weaknesses in ADN content areas.

Includes the following content areas:

Fundamentals
Pediatrics
Psychiatric/Mental Illness
Pharmacology
Medical-Surgical
Physical Assessment

• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Completion of the Paramedic Transition to RN 2006 course.
• Must have either a) graduated from an approved paramedic program in the 12 months prior to application with 600 work hours completed by June 1^st OR b) been employed a minimum of 1,000 hours as a paramedic in the 12 months prior to application. Volunteer hours are not considered in the 1,000 hours. If 600 hours are not completed by application deadline and student is selected for the program then it will be a conditional acceptance until either June 1^st deadline or 600 completed work hours.

 

	LPN to RN		Paramedic to RN
Admission	Fall		Fall
GPA	≥ 2.75		≥ 2.75
Entrance Exam	HESI test-PN-ADN		HESI test-EMS-ADN
Licensure Requirement	LPN-unencumbered license                IF Graduated from an ASBN approved PN school in the 12 months prior to application work requirement not applicable		National Paramedic Registry Certificate                         IF Graduated from an approved paramedic program in the 12 months prior to application with 600 work hours completed by June 1st
Work Experience Requirement	LPN employment for minimum of 1,000 hours in acute or long term care in 12 months prior to application		Paramedic employment for minimum of 1,000 hours in the 12 months prior to application
Application Deadline	March 1st		March 1st
Curriculum and Credits	General Education & Nursing Prerequisites	37	General Education & Nursing Prerequisites	43
	Nursing Curriculum	30	Nursing Curriculum	30
Progression	Coursework must be completed with ≥75% in order to progress. Nursing program must be completed within 2 years of entry of the program. A nursing course may be repeated only once. Only two nursing courses may be repeated.		Coursework must be completed with ≥75% in order to progress. Nursing program must be completed within 2 years of entry of the program. A nursing course may be repeated only once. Only two nursing courses may be repeated.
Graduation	67 hours		73 hours
Other Requirements	·         Criminal Background check  ·         10 panel urine drug screen ·         Abilities and Skills ·         Scholastic Non-Cognitive Performance Standards ·         Professional/student liability insurance ·         Proof of vaccination: Hepatitis B (3), Tdap within last 10 years, Tuberculosis 2-step method or T-spot (as directed by contract), annual Influenza, MMR (2 doses), Varicella (2 doses) or positive titer ·         American Heart Association BLS Healthcare Provider CPR certification

Course Descriptions

Student Learning OUtcomes

The RN program’s End of Program Student Learning Outcomes EPSLOS are consistent with contemporary practice. End-of-program outcomes are indicators that reflect the extent to which the RN program is achieving its mission and goals and are consistent with contemporary practice. The RN EPSLOS are as follows:

1. Demonstrate the ability to deliver competent nursing care in a manner that minimizes risk to patient, self, and others independently.
2. Demonstrate effective communication, both oral and written.
3. Demonstrate the ability to provide theory-based, individualized, culturally sensitive therapeutic nursing care to patient and families.
4. Demonstrate ability to think critically and manage diverse patient populations in a variety of health care settings.
5. Effectively utilize all stages of the nursing process (assessment, data analysis, planning, implementation and evaluation) when caring for a wide variety of patients.
6. Adhere to ethical and legal standards.
7. Demonstrates professionalism through participation in activities addressing quality of care and leadership in nursing.
8. Utilize research strategies and informatics to continuously monitor and improve the quality and safety of clinical practice.

program outcomes

Faculty, staff, and program administrators continue to demonstrate a solid commitment to students’ achievement of program outcomes through robust, collaborative, and student-centered decision making. 

 

NCLEX Pass Rate LPN-RN

The program has met the 80% expected level of achievement (ELA). All columns reflect first time pass rates EXCEPT for the Cohort Year Pass Rate, which includes all attempts.

Year	National NCLEX-RN Mean	National NCLEX-RN Mean - ADN Programs	ATU-Ozark Pass Rate (July 1 - June 30)	Cohort Year Pass Rate	LPN to RN	Paramedic to RN
2020-2021	84.4%	80.7%	92.3%	91.7%	90.9%	100%
2021-2022	80.8%	77.4%	86.3%	100%	87.5%	100%
2022-2023	83.2%	82.3%	95.8%	95.8%	95.4%	100%
2023-2024	92.1%	91.7%	95.6%	100%	95%	100%

 

program completion rates

The program admits one cohort per year in August/Fall semester and students are expected to graduate from the Program within two years or 200% of program length; however, the ELA is set at 100% of program length. This was established as the university ELA is set at 150% and courses in the RNP are only offered once a year. Thus, students repeating courses are unable to meet the university ELA.

Cohort Year (Semester) of Graduation	Admitted	Graduation Rate	Still Enrolled
Spring 2020	24	83.3%	3
Spring 2021	24	91.7%	2
Spring 2022	24	95.8%	0
Spring 2023	24	100%	0
Spring 2024	24	95.8%	0

 

 

ATU-Ozark Student Handbook
RN Program Handbook
FERPA Form
ATU-Ozark Library

The RN Program Handbook contains all student policies, inclusing those listed below.

Attendance Policy
Academic Progression
Graduation Policy

RN Program Handbook

HESI Entrance Exam 

HESI Exam Information
How to Create a Student Account for the HESI Exam

Upcoming ATU- Ozark Campus HESI Exam Dates

*There are no HESI exams scheduled at this time. Dates for the next HESI testing will be posted in spring of 2025.

HESI exams will be held in the Health Sciences and Wellness building, room 117.