2003-2005 Catalog - University of Arkansas at Monticello

applicants who have been out of school for more than 24 months will be required to takethe 1 credit hour Basic Skills Check-Off course to update clinical skills. RNs complete thesame general education and support courses as students enrolled in the BSN program buthave a specified program for completing theory and clinical nursing course requirements.A letter of recommendation from a current or most recent RN supervisor in a nursingposition is required of all applicants.LPNs/LPTNs may apply for advanced placement in the BSN program. LPNs/LTPNsmay receive credit for 11 semester hours for NURS 311V Concepts in Nursing Care I if theyhave graduated from LPN/LPTN school within 24 months. After 24 months, a validationexam must be passed with a score of 74 or better to obtain advanced placement credit forNURS 311V. The syllabus for NURS 311V may be purchased prior to the validating examfor purposes of studying independently for the examination. LPNs/LPTNs are required tosummit a letter of recommendation from their nursing school and from the most recent orpresent nursing position RN supervisor. The validating examination may be taken onlyonce. The application process for admission into UAM and the nursing program must becompleted before validating examinations may be taken.Applicants seeking admission to the nursing program through advanced placementshould meet with the Division Chair. All nursing faculty are included in the evaluation ofthe advanced placement student and make recommendations regarding advancedplacement to the Division Chair.Transfer CreditStudents seeking transfer credit from another institution must submit coursedescriptions and transcripts to the Division of Nursing and meet with the Division Chair.All faculty are included in the evaluation and placement of transfer students in the nursingsequence and make recommendations regarding transfer of nursing credit to the DivisionChair. Standardized testing and validation of skills may be required based on the evaluationof the transcript.Conviction of a CrimeThe Arkansas State Board of Nursing requires criminal background checks ongraduates of nursing schools and has the authority to deny application for licensure to anyperson who has ever been convicted of a crime. A student who has been convicted of acrime should schedule an appointment with the Division Chair.ExpensesIn addition to the usual student fees and expenses, nursing students can expect thefollowing additional costs: uniforms, professional equipment and supplies, professionalworkshop fees, standardized examinations, licensure examination review seminar, nationaland state licensing examination costs, criminal background checks, supplementary bookcosts, and travel. Use of multiple clinical sites within a 100-mile radius of the main campusmay require overnight travel by students. These trips are mandatory for completion of theprogram. All expenses for food, lodging, and travel are the responsibility of the individualstudent.Other InformationAll nursing students are assigned to care for persons with a wide variety of diagnosesincluding blood borne illnesses. Nursing students are NOT covered by the University orthe clinical facilities for injuries and exposures to illnesses which occur in the course ofclinical assignments. The UAM Division of Nursing strongly recommends that eachstudent be immunized against Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) prior to beginning clinical workand obtain personal health insurance.Information regarding tuition and fees may be found on page 19. The NLN AccreditingCommission (NLNAC) serves as an additional resource for this information.Nursing149