Nursing Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Degree
Transfer Options
- Arkansas State University-Jonesboro
- BAS Organizational Supervision
- Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology
- Bachelor of Technology Applied Technical Leadership
Program Goal
Prepare graduates to practice at entry-level RN positions in a variety of settings.
Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)
| PLO 1. |
Use safe and effective nursing interventions that promote, maintains, and restore the health of culturally and ethnically diverse individuals, families, and families in communities throughout the lifespan as evidenced by scores of >76% on written examinations and meeting clinical objectives.
|
PLO 2.
|
Use therapeutic nursing interventions that provide and direct nursing care of the client that will incorporate the knowledge of expected growth and development principles; the prevention and/or early detection of health problems, and strategies to provide the education required to achieve optimal health for clients throughout the lifespan as evidenced by scores of >76% on written examinations and meeting clinical objectives.
|
PLO 3
|
Provide and direct nursing care that promotes and supports the emotional, mental and social well-being of the client experiencing stressful events as well as clients with acute or chronic mental illness as evidenced by scores of >76% on written examinations and meeting clinical objectives.
|
PLO 4.
|
Be able to educate individuals, families and families in communities on physical health and wellness by reducing client risk potential and managing health alterations as evidenced by scores of >76% on written examinations and meeting clinical objectives.
|
PLO 5.
|
Be able to communicate and collaborate with members of the health care team to provide and improve delivery of health care as evidenced by scores of >76% on clinical evaluations and written exams.
|
PLO 6.
|
The ability to critically think using a problem-solving process that is both goals directed and ethically based on standards of nursing practice as evidenced by scores of >76% on written examinations and meeting clinical objectives.
|
Program Description
Southern Arkansas University Tech’s Nursing Programs are fully approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing. Our LPN/Paramedic to RN Program offers an accelerated path for LPNs and paramedics to use their education and experience to further their degrees. This degree program prepares graduates to apply for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) and to function as a registered nurse. This is a 9-month program that incorporates classroom instruction, online education along with clinical experiences which prepare graduates to practice at entry level RN positions in a variety of settings ranging from inpatient, outpatient, long term, or community- based nursing.
General Information
- Developmental coursework may be required in addition to the courses required for this degree.
General Requirements
- This degree requires successful completion of 67 credit hours.
- A minimum 2.00 cumulative grade point average is required for graduation.
- Satisfaction of all financial obligations due to the college is required for graduation.
Residency Requirement
The student is required to complete a minimum of 15 semester hours in residence at SAU Tech for associate degrees and technical certificates and half of the credit hours required for certificates of proficiency as well as complete all other graduation requirements. Students who wish to pursue additional degrees must complete a minimum of 15 credit hours of difference between the degrees.
ACTS Course Numbers
The Arkansas Course Transfer System (ACTS) contains information about the transferability of courses within Arkansas public colleges and universities. Students are guaranteed the transfer of applicable credits and equitable treatment in the application of credits for admissions and degree requirements.
Degree Plan
Program Prerequisites (31 hours)
Fall Semester (12 hours)
| RN 1003 | Nursing of Mothers, Infants and Children | 3 |
| RN 1013 | RN Practicum 1 | 3 |
| RN 1046 | Medical/Surgical Nursing 1 | 6 |
Spring Semester (12 hours)
Summer I Extended Semester (12 hours)
Total Credit Hours: 67
Admission Requirements
Prior to the application deadline of the first Monday in June each year, the candidate must:
Before the first Monday in June is the application deadline, the applicant must have:
1. Provide proof of a valid, active, unencumbered Arkansas LPN/LVN license or mutual state licensure recognized by the Arkansas State Board Nurse Licensure Compact.
2. Paramedics must hold certification and provide proof from the Arkansas Department of Health that they are paramedics and have current registration with the National Registry of EMTs.
- Provide proof of a minimum of 1000 hours worked as an LPN or Paramedic within the last year (See Employer Verification Form)
-OR- graduated from a state board-approved LPN or Paramedic program within the last year.
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.
- All Pre-Requisite courses must be passed with a C or better.
- All transcripts must be submitted to the SAU Tech Admissions department
- Applied to SAU Tech and complied with all admission requirements (to be eligible for selection).
a. The college’s application for admission can be found here: https://www.sautech.edu/admissions/
b. Call the Admissions department at 870-574-4558 or email at admisofc@sautech.edu if any questions
- Take the TEAS Exam within 1 year of the program application deadline date. The applicant’s score on this exam is used to determine eligibility for admission into the LPN/Paramedic to RN program and ranking for applicants' selection. The test score will need to be printed off and submitted to the Allied Health Department.If these steps are not completed, then the results will not be accepted.
- TEAS exam results older than one year previous to the program application deadline date will not be considered.
- Applicants who have not taken the TEAS exam CANNOT be considered for selection as current scores on this exam are required.
- Applicants must make a minimum of 50% (Composite Score) on the TEAS exam. Applicants who score below the minimum cut score on the first attempt are recommended to study for the exam and then repeat it before the application deadline.
- The TEAS Exam may be taken four (4) times per application period. The highest TEAS score on file at the application deadline will be the score that is accepted and utilized to calculate the student’s total points
- TEAS Directions:
- Create a TEAS account at www.atitesting.com/teas. You can create an account by clicking the “Create Account” link next to the log-in button. Follow the screen prompts and fill in all necessary boxes. When asked about which program, SELECT “NURSING”.
- Pay for your TEAS exam online through your ATI Account.
- Select “Southern Arkansas University Tech” if you are taking the exam on campus at our testing center. You can also select a day/time for your exam.
Day of Testing at the SAU Tech Testing Center:
- Arrive a few minutes early; if more than 10 minutes late, you will need to reschedule through your ATI Account. If late, call the testing center at 870-574-4486 to inform them that you are rescheduling.
- Bring Photo ID
- Know your ATI log-in information
- Submit* the completed and signed application and all required documents before the deadline for application, which is the first Monday in June before 4:30 p.m., to the Nursing Program Office located on the SAU Tech campus, Shumaker Hall, Room 120, or mail to:
Southern Arkansas University Tech
Attn: LPN to RN Nursing Program
P. O. Box 3499
Camden, AR 71711
10. If the applicant has been in another LPN/Paramedic to RN program, a ‘Letter of Good Standing’ from his/her previous nursing program DIRECTOR is required. The letter must come directly to the SAU Tech Nursing Program from that program director. Letters submitted by students are not acceptable.
The letter should be emailed to syoung@sautech.edu or mailed to the address below
Southern Arkansas University Tech
Attn: Dean of Allied Health
P. O. Box 3499
Camden, AR 71711
- Applicants accepted for admission into the LPN/Paramedic to RN Program will receive an acceptance letter within a few weeks, which will provide further instructions for admission requirements.
- Denial letters will also be sent within a few weeks of the deadline.If you receive a denial letter, do not let this be the end.Correct any issues and apply again for the next program.
Students applying for entry into the LPN/Paramedic to RN Program at Southern Arkansas University Tech must understand that:
- Successful completion of the clinical, practicum, fieldwork, and/or internship/externship program component is a requirement for graduation from these programs;
- Clinical, practicum, fieldwork, and/or internship/externship sites require students to have received certain vaccinations, immunizations, possibly including the Covid-19 vaccination, and to have successfully passed testing/screenings such as a drug screen and a criminal background check, in order to be allowed to attend clinical, etc., in their facility.
- Some facilities do not allow students to attend clinical, etc., in their facility until after the student has fully completed the Covid-19 vaccination doses recommended by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
- Some exemptions can be made based on religious beliefs and/or medical issues. A letter from your religious leader or primary care physician must be submitted. Acceptance of this letter will be determined by the clinical facility and not SAU Tech.
- Therefore, if the student has not received or completed the vaccinations and immunizations, including a complete Covid-19 vaccination (if applicable), if the clinical facility has denied exemption reasoning, or if any failure in testing/screenings that the clinical facilities require has occurred, the student may be dismissed from the program.
- Successful graduation from the LPN/Paramedic to RN Program is required in order to sit for the NCLEX-RN.
Upon acceptance into the program, the student will be required to:
- Provide proof of a criminal background check upon request per instructions by the program faculty.
- Provide proof of an unencumbered drug screen upon request per instructions by the program faculty. This will be completed once the program begins at the discretion of the Dean of Allied Health.
- Provide proof of current AHA (American Heart Association) Healthcare Provider level of CPR certification.
- Provide proof of a negative PPD skin test or evidence of a negative chest x-ray if skin testing is not allowed.
- Provide proof of all vaccinations and/or immunizations including:
- Provide proof of Hepatitis B immunization series or sign a Declination Statement.
- Provide proof of immunity to varicella. Proof may consist of 1) proof of vaccination, or 2) varicella antibody titer indicating immunity.
- Provide proof of Covid-19 Vaccination or exemption letter.
- Students will receive influenza vaccination during the Fall Semester. Proof of current influenza vaccination will be submitted.