Nursing

[1] Introduction

The School of Nursing is committed to educating students at the baccalaureate and graduate levels to address evolving health care needs and to advance the practice of nursing in an ever-changing society. Graduates of the baccalaureate program have the theoretical base in nursing and related disciplines and the skills, both interpersonal and technological, required for practice and have the foundation for graduate study.

The Master of Science in Nursing prepares students with a broad knowledge and practice expertise that builds and expands on baccalaureate nursing practice. Nurses with a master’s degree are prepared for a variety of roles and areas of practice. Graduates may pursue two specialty tracks: Nurse Educator with clinical specialty (NECS) and Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL). Post-master’s certificates and second master’s degrees are offered. Graduates of each track are qualified for national certification examination.

The Doctor of Nursing Practice prepares students to specialize in practice-focused advanced nursing practice. Depending on the student’s academic preparation, they may pursue one of two DNP tracks: (1) BSN to DNP Nurse Practitioner track or (2) Post-Master’s DNP track. Graduates of the BSN-to-DNP Nurse Practitioner track are eligible for national certification examination.

Jump to … DNP Program

[2] MSN – Master of Science in Nursing

[2.1] Program Overview

All required MSN courses are offered online. Clinical courses with a laboratory component require minimal on campus meetings. MSN orientation will be held at the beginning of the first year. Dates and meeting times for campus experiences are scheduled in advance and posted on the School of Nursing web site.

[2.2] MSN Program Admission Requirements

Minimum admission requirements are outlined here. (See also https://uca.edu/nursing/master-of-science-in-nursing-admission-requirements/). Admission to the MSN program is selective and competitive.

1. A baccalaureate degree with an upper-division major in nursing from an NLNAC or CCNE accredited nursing program (graduates of non-accredited schools will be evaluated individually).
2. A minimum GPA of 2.70 (4.00 scale) overall or 3.00 on last 60 hours of earned credit.
3. Successful completion of a course in basic statistics, with a grade of C or above.
4. Current unencumbered license as a registered nurse in Arkansas (or state where clinical experiences will take place).
5. At least one year of direct patient care clinical experience within the last three years as an RN prior to enrollment in the clinical courses. Based on the applicant’s recent clinical experience, the applicant might be required to take an independent clinical practicum course prior to enrollment in the clinical courses.
6. Applicants for whom English is not the native language are required to score 83 or higher on the iBT TOEFL exam. The exam must have been taken within the last two (2) calendar years. Only iBT TOEFL scores received directly from ETS or the UCA Testing center will be accepted as valid.
7. A completed application packet on central NursingCAS system.

[2.3] MSN Degree Requirements

The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree requires 31-32 hours depending on specialty track.

[2.3.1] Required Courses (16 hours)

[2.3.2] Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) Track (16 hours)

[2.3.3] Nurse Educator with a Clinical Specialty (NECS) Track (15 hours)

[2.4] Post-Master’s Certificates (PMCs) and Second Master’s Degrees

Master’s-prepared nurses seeking additional master’s preparation for national certification have the following options: (1) second master’s degree (minimum of 30 credit hours required) and (2) post-master’s certificate (minimum of 12 required hours). Those seeking first-time certification as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) must apply for the Post-Master’s DNP track. Applications to the post-master’s certificate (PMC) and second master’s degree are competitive. The number of applicants admitted is based on available openings.

[2.4.1] PMC and Second Master’s Degree Admission Requirements

1. Master’s degree in Nursing from a nationally accredited program
2. Current unencumbered RN license.
3. Minimum Master’s in Nursing GPA at or higher than a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
4. Applicants for whom English is not the native language are required to score 83 or higher on the iBT TOEFL exam. The exam must have been taken within the last two (2) calendar years. Only iBT TOEFL scores received directly from ETS or the UCA Testing center will be accepted as valid.
5. A completed application packet on centralized NursingCAS system:
   1. Printed verification from the State Board of Nursing website of current RN license or
   2. If APRN, (1) printed verification from the State Board of Nursing of current APRN license and (2) documentation of current national APRN certification.

[2.5] MSN, PMC, and Second Master’s degree Post-Acceptance Requirements

Upon acceptance to the MSN program, including PMC and Second Master’s degree, candidates must

1. Complete a separate online application and pay an application fee directly to the UCA Graduate School.
2. Complete a criminal background check, as directed by the School of Nursing, with favorable results.
3. Complete a drug screen, as directed by the School of Nursing with negative results.
4. Submit verification of specified health requirements (see School of Nursing Graduate Handbook for list of immunizations).
5. Provide proof of health insurance coverage.

[3] DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice

[3.1] Program Overview

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is a practice-focused terminal degree that prepares graduates for the most advanced level of nursing. As practice leaders, the DNP-prepared scholar generates evidence through practice to guide improvements in the quality of health care, health outcomes, and health care systems. Graduates of the BSN-to-DNP track are qualified for national certification examination.

All courses in the DNP program are offered online. Courses with a clinical component may require minimal on campus meetings. Campus intensives may be required periodically throughout the program. Dates and meeting times for campus intensive experiences are scheduled in advance and communicated with students.

[3.2] Post-MSN DNP Admission Requirements

Admission to the Post-MSN DNP program is selective and competitive. Admission requirements include the following:

1. An earned master’s degree in Nursing from a nationally accredited nursing program (CCNE, NLNAC, or ACEN) with a minimum GPA of 3.0 (4.0 scale).
2. Current unencumbered RN license from the student’s state of residence and/or practice. Verification should be printed from your State Board of Nursing website.
3. Transfer of no more than six (6) credit hours towards degree requirements.
4. Documentation of the number of supervised clinical hours with a preceptor during your master’s program.
5. Applicants for whom English is not the native language are required to score 83 or higher on the iBT TOEFL exam. The exam must have been taken within the last two (2) calendar years. Only iBT TOEFL scores received directly from ETS or the UCA Testing center will be accepted as valid.
6. Personal Essay.
7. Interview with DNP Admission Committee.

[3.3] Post-MSN Post-Acceptance Requirements

Upon acceptance to the Post-MSN DNP program, candidates must

1. Complete a separate online application and pay an application fee directly to the UCA Graduate School.
2. Complete a criminal background check, as directed by the School of Nursing, with favorable results.
3. Complete a drug screen, as directed by the School of Nursing, with negative results.
4. Submit verification of specified health requirements (see School of Nursing Graduate Student Handbook for list of immunizations).
5. Provide proof of health insurance coverage.

[3.4] Post-MSN DNP Degree Requirements

The Post-MSN Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree requires a minimum of 32 hours [Note 1] of planned sequential graduate nursing course work, including a DNP scholarly project in the last year of study. Students must also successfully complete meet all UCA Graduate School requirements for graduation.

[3.4.1] Required Courses

Note 1

[3.5] BSN-to-DNP Nurse Practitioner Application and Admission Requirements

Admission to the BSN-to-DNP Nurse Practitioner track is selective and competitive. Application and admission requirements include the following:

1. An earned baccalaureate degree from an accredited nursing program.
2. A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.70 (4.00 scale) or 3.00 on last 60 hours of earned credit.
3. A current unencumbered license as a registered nurse in Arkansas (or state where clinical experiences will take place).
4. Applicants for whom English is not the native language are required to score 83 or higher on the iBT TOEFL exam. The exam must have been taken within the last two (2) calendar years. Only iBT TOEFL scores received directly from ETS or the UCA Testing center will be accepted as valid.
5. A completed application.

Admission to the BSN-to-DNP Nurse Practitioner track will be based on the following:

1. GPA
2. Personal Interview with DNP Admission Committee
3. Scholarly Writing Sample
4. Personal Statement

[3.6] BSN-to-DNP Nurse Practitioner Post-Acceptance Requirements

Upon acceptance to the BSN to DNP Nurse Practitioner track, candidates must

1. Complete a separate online application and pay an application fee directly to the UCA Graduate School.
2. Complete a criminal background check, as directed by the School of Nursing, with favorable results.
3. Complete a drug screen, as directed by the School of Nursing, with negative results.
4. Submit verification of specified health requirements (see School of Nursing Graduate Student Handbook for list of immunizations).
5. Provide proof of health insurance coverage.
6. Submit a “Signed Hours Agreement” form acknowledging their understanding that they must provide verification of a minimum of 2,000 work hours as a registered nurse (RN) in order to be eligible to be licensed as an Advanced Practice Nurse – Nurse Practitioner in the state of Arkansas.

[3.7] BSN-to-DNP Nurse Practitioner Degree Requirements

The BSN-to-Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Nurse Practitioner degree requires 73 or more hours of planned sequential graduate nursing course work. Students must also successfully complete a DNP Scholarly Project in the last year of study and meet all UCA Graduate School requirements for graduation.

[3.7.1] Required Courses

[4] School of Nursing Policies

The current editions of the UCA Student Handbook and the School of Nursing Graduate Student Handbook specify the rules, regulations, and policies that apply to all UCA graduate nursing students. It is the responsibility of the student to know and follow the most recent policies and procedures.

[5] Accreditation Status

The baccalaureate and master’s degree programs are approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing. The DNP program is approved by the Arkansas Department of Higher Education and is designed to meet professional standards for the practice doctorate developed by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). The baccalaureate, master’s, post-master’s nurse practitioner certificate, and DNP programs in nursing at UCA are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street, NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, (202) 887-6791, https://www.aacnnursing.org and https://www.aacnnursing.org/CCNE.

[6] Graduate Courses in Nursing

Follow this link for NURS course descriptions: course link.