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Nursing

2nd Degree Accelerated

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.)


College: College of Nursing and Health Professions

Department: Nursing

Degree Availability

The Second Degree Accelerated BSN program is transitioning to an online program. Didactic courses will be presented in an online format, while practicum courses will remain in-person. The first cohort will begin in Spring 2024, Session II (March 4th). Prerequisites will remain the same as listed on this page, with a prerequisite gpa of at least a 3.0 required for admission. The HESI admission exam will no longer be required for admission to this program. The application and more information will go live on this webpage during the last week in November 2023. For more information, please email nursinginfo@astate.edu or call (870) 972-3074.   

Description

The nurse prepared at the baccalaureate level is a professional who has acquired a well-delineated and broad knowledge base for practice. The role of a baccalaureate graduate is multifaceted and developed through extensive study in the areas of liberal education, professional values, core competencies, core knowledge and role development. This knowledge base prepares the beginning baccalaureate graduate to function as a provider of direct and indirect care to individuals, families, groups, communities and populations.

The baccalaureate graduate is also a member of the profession and a designer, manager and coordinator of care. Additionally, the baccalaureate prepared nurse has a background in teaching, research and management skills which lays the foundation for leadership positions and graduate education.

Curriculum

The School of Nursing offers students who have earned a Bachelors degree in another field the opportunity to complete an accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing option. The course of study for the BSN degree is completed in 14 months.

Curriculum and degree requirements can be found in the most current Undergraduate Bulletin.

Undergraduate Bulletin Reference
2022-23 Undergraduate Bulletin Click here.
2021-22 Undergraduate Bulletin Page 385
2020-21 Undergraduate Bulletin Page 360
Visit the bulletins page >>

Careers

Career opportunities include a variety of work settings such as hospitals, clinics, home health environments, schools, industries, rehabilitation facilities, nursing homes and public health units.

  • Admission Criteria

    Admission Criteria

    All prerequisite course work, including Bachelor degree earned, must be completed by the end of the Spring semester for Summer admission to the program.

    Beginning fall 2021, student selection will be based on competitive scores in regards to cumulative GPA, prerequisite GPA, and interview. Special consideration will be made for those with Spanish proficiency and/or a degree in a clinical health care field.

    • Earned Bachelors degree
    • Cumulative GPA 2.5 or better AND GPA of 3.0 or better in prerequisite courses.

    Required Courses*

    The required courses that must be completed with a "C" or higher by the end of the Spring semester for Summer admission to the program.  These courses are listed below, and can be found in the most recent Undergraduate Bulletin.

    • BIO 2103 AND 2101, Microbiology for Nursing and Allied Health and Laboratory 
    • BIO 2203 AND 2201, Human Anatomy/Physiology I and Laboratory 
    • BIO 2223 AND 2221, Human Anatomy/Physiology II and Laboratory 
    • CHEM 1043 AND 1041, Fundamental Concepts of Chemistry I and Laboratory OR CHEM 1013 AND 1011, General Chemistry I and Laboratory 
    • ENG 1003, Composition I 
    • ENG 1013, Composition II 
    • PSY 2013, Introduction to Psychology 
    • SOC 2213, Introduction to Sociology
    • Statistics elective - 3 credit hours 
    • HIST 2763, The United States to 1876 OR HIST 2773, The United States Since 1876 OR POSC 2103, Introduction to United States Government 
    • MATH 1023, College Algebra MATH course that requires MATH 1023 as a prerequisite

    *All course attempts will be considered in the calculation of prerequisite GPA.*

    ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS

    The College of Nursing and Health Professions requires a high level of proficiency in English so that all students will be able to fully meet academic and clinical objectives as well as meet criteria for professional licensure/certification.

    International Students

    Students from non-English speaking countries or for whom English is not a native language must take one of the following tests:

    • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a score of 83 on the preferred internet-based test (iBT), 570 on the paper-based test, or 213 on the computer-based test.
    • International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with a score of at least 6.5 and a spoken band score of 7.
    • Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE) with a score of 56.

    The term foreign born refers to people residing in the United States who were not U.S. citizens at birth. The foreign-born population includes naturalized citizens, lawful permanent immigrants, refugees and asylees, legal non-immigrants (including those on student, work, or other temporary visas), and persons residing in the country without authorization. In contrast, the term native born refers to people residing in the United States who were U.S. citizens in one of three categories: 1) born in one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia; 2) born in United States Insular areas such as Puerto Rico or Guam; 3) born abroad to at least one U. S. citizen parent.

    Exemption

    You may be exempt for the English proficiency testing if you are foreign born but attended school in the United States since kindergarten. For the exemption you must provide official school records showing continuous enrollment in U. S. schools since kindergarten.

    TOEFL Information

    The TOEFL is available at the A-State Testing Center. When taking the exam off campus, the report code for A-State is 6011.

    English as a Second Language Program

    Students who do not meet the required English language proficiency may enroll in A-State’s English as a Second Language (ESL) program in the English Language Academy. Potential students enrolled in the ESL program must maintain an average of 85 or higher in levels 0 through 4. In the final or 5th level of the ESL program an average of 90 or higher must be maintained. Upon completion of the ESL program, the potential student must take the internet based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Upon successfully meeting the proficiency requirement, potential students are eligible to apply to the BSN Program.

  • Admission Process

    How to Apply

    To apply for the 2nd Degree Accelerated option, candidates should follow the below steps:

    1. Apply for admission to A-State as "undergraduate post-degree for Summer term. Contact the Office of Admissions at (800) 382-3030 or (870) 972-3024 for information or online at http://admissions.astate.edu
    2. Apply for admission to the Second Degree Accelerated BSN program. Online applications available starting January 15th of each year. Link to apply is available on the School of Nursing website (when available)
    3. Submit the following by the March 15 deadline:
    • APPLICATION: Submit the Second Degree Accelerated BSN Application located on the School of Nursing webpage
    • TRANSCRIPTS: Submit official (sealed) transcripts from ALL institutions you have attended since High School (except A-State transcripts) to the Registrar’s Office (PO Box 1570, State University, AR 72467). 
    • LETTER OF STANDING:  If you have previously attended a nursing program that you did not complete, you must have the program Dean/Director send a letter stating your standing when you left the program. This letter must be in the nursing office by the application deadline.
    • ENGLISH PROFICIENCY:  Documentation of English Proficiency, if applicable.  
      1. INTERVIEW: Applicants will be contacted regarding interview scheduling after the application deadline.

      Submitting Your Application

      Starting in 2023, applications are online on the School of Nursing webpage.  No paper applications will be accepted.

      Program application checklist 

      Deadline

      All application material must be received by March 15 for summer admission. INCOMPLETE OR LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. Applications are reviewed after the application deadline and are NOT reviewed on a first come, first served basis with the exception of those qualifying for early admission (see below).

      Limited Availability

      Class size is limited and all applicants may not be accepted into the program. Interested individuals are encouraged to seek an advisor early to ensure that all prerequisite courses are completed in a timely manner.

      Student selection will be based on prerequisite GPA, cumulative GPA, and interview with special consideration for those with Spanish proficiency and/or a degree in a clinical health care field.

      Based on recent legislation in Arkansas, students admitted to professional programs that lead to licensure upon graduation are required to have a successful background check to complete formal admission. 

    • Prerequisites

      To be considered for admission, the following prerequisite courses must be completed with a “C” or better before the start of your first class in the program:

      BIO 2103 AND 2101, Microbiology for Nursing and Allied Health and Laboratory

      BIO 2203 AND 2201, Human Anatomy/Physiology I and Laboratory

      BIO 2223 AND 2221, Human Anatomy/Physiology II and Laboratory

      CHEM 1043 AND 1041, Fundamental Concepts of Chemistry and Laboratory OR CHEM 1013 AND 1011, General Chemistry I and Laboratory

      ENG 1003, Composition I

      ENG 1013, Composition II

      PSY 2013, Introduction to Psychology

      SOC 2213, Introduction to Sociology

      Statistics elective - 3 credit hours

      HIST 2763, The United States to 1876 OR HIST 2773, The United States Since 1876 OR POSC 2103, Introduction to United States Government

      MATH 1023, College Algebra, MATH course that requires MATH 1023 as a prerequisite

    • Program Tuition & Fees

      Second Degree Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing

       
      Costs
      Total Tuition & Fees
      (paid via $265.00 per credit hour)
      $18,020.00
      Additional Estimated Costs
      Books
      $900 first semester,
      $50-$500 later semesters
      Uniforms (prices vary depending on personal preference)
      $100 - $200
      Annual Malpractice Insurance
      $55 - $100
      ATI Standardized Tests/Books/Web Modules
      $400.00 per semester
      Examsoft Testing Software
      $40.00 per semester
      AHA BLS CPR Certification
      $30-$50 biannually
      Arkansas State Board of Nursing Application
      approx. $100.00
      Criminal Background Check
      approx. $50
      NCLEX-RN Exam
      approx. $200.00
      Annual Drug Screening
      $40
      Additional Costs
      • Access to a Laptop Computer (Chromebooks are not acceptable)
      • School Pin (optional): $40
      • Annual TB Mask Fitting: $30
      • Watch (with a second hand): $25-$50
      • Stethoscope: $20-$150
      • Bandage Scissors: $10
      • Pen Light: $5
      • Mask / Facial Covering: $10
       

    • Program Statistics

      BSN Pass Rates

      • 2022- 93%
      • 2021- 91.2%
      • 2020- 95.1%
      • 2019- 94%
      • 2018- 95.7%
    • Licensure Information

      Applying for RN Licensure

      Upon completion of the BSN program, the student is eligible to apply for licensure as a Registered Nurse. A first time applicant for any licensure by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing will have a state and national criminal background check. Any offense identified in section §17-87-312 of the Nurse Practice Act may prohibit a graduate from obtaining a license to practice as a Registered Nurse in the State of Arkansas.

      Although an appeal may be possible, there are offenses that permanently disqualify an applicant from a license. A complete list of criminal acts that prevent licensure as a registered nurse can be found at the Arkansas State Board of Nursing website (www.arsbn.org) and on the nursing website. If students have any reason to believe that they may be ineligible to write the NCLEX-RN, they should discuss this matter with someone knowledgeable about nursing laws and/or contact the Arkansas State Board of Nursing (ASBN).

    • Apply for Early Admission

      Early Admission Process

      Students may be considered for early admission to the 2nd Degree Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) if they meet the following criteria:

      • All prerequisites completed with a grade of “C” or better or will finish all required courses by the end of the spring semester before program start.
      • Cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher
      • Prerequisite GPA of 3.5 or higher

      The early admission process for the 2nd Degree Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program is contingent upon performance during a required interview, maintenance of a cumulative and prerequisite 3.5 GPA or higher after completion of prerequisites, and faculty approval.

      Students may request early admission only after submitting their application and supporting documents. Early admission may be requested after applications become available, and can be requested until the application deadline. Requests after the application deadline will not be considered for early admission.

      To request early admission, please send an email with your name and a statement indicating intent to request for early admission to nursinginfo@AState.edu.


    Accredited by ACEN

    ACEN LogoThe BSN program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30326, Telephone: (404) 975-5000, http://acenursing.org/.

    The BSN program is also approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing.