AAS in Nursing

Prerequisite requirements

• Cumulative GPA of 2.00 including all college credits
• Completion of required courses
  
  

Prerequisites include the following courses:

• BIO 2203 AND 2201, Human Anatomy/Physiology I and Laboratory
• ENG 1003, Composition I
• MATH 1023, College Algebra (or MATH course that requires MATH 1023 as a Prerequisite)

All required courses must be completed with a minimum "C" in each course. The required courses can be found in the most current Undergraduate Bulletin.

LIMITED POSITIONS AVAILABLE
(Acceptance to the University, does not guarantee admission to a specific nursing program.)

How to Apply   

To apply, just follow these simple steps:

1. Apply for admission to A-State.
   
2. Apply for admission to the AASN program. The application will be available on the School of Nursing website on April 30th.

3. Take the required SPANS admission exam.  SPANS is a comprehensive assessment designed to measure readiness for the academic demand of health science programs. The exam consists of 150 questions that evaluate critical skills in reading comprehension/English, math, and scientific knowledge. The exam is completed remotely and should be completed prior to the deadline. Estimated cost is about $70 and the exam can be completed one time during the application cycle. Exam results are valid for 3 years. For those interested, there is a prep book available online for purchase through SPIN Learning. Instructions for SPANS:

   1. Visit https://www.spin-learning.com/

   2. Click SPANS Registration button at top of webpage

   3. Select SPANS SPIN-Learning

   4. Click “Buy SPANS Ticket”

   5. Choose Preferred Date

   6. Checkout

4. Smarter Measure Online Readiness Assessment: The online readiness tool helps indicate the degree to which distance learning and/or learning in a technology rich environment will be a good fit for the student.  This assessment requires students to answer questions and complete a few activities.  It takes about 35 minutes to complete and measures reading rate and recall, technical competency, technical knowledge, and typing speed and accuracy. There is no cost for the Smarter Measures Assessment and it can be completed one time during the application cycle.  Exam results are valid for 3 years.

   Link to the assessment: Smarter Measures Assessment

   Username: Traditional AASN  Password: traditional

5. If you have previously attended a RN program and did not complete the program, you MUST submit a letter of good standing.  The letter must be sent from the previous RN program dean/director/chair/coordinator prior to the application deadline to the AASN Program Chair or designate.  The letter can be emailed to sdearing@astate.edu
6. Submit the following by the June 7th deadline:

• Completed LPN-AASN application
• Official (sealed) transcripts of ALL college work completed submitted to the Registrar's Office (PO Box 1570, State University, ARN 72467).
• Documentation of prerequisite coursework currently enrolled in at time of application.
• Letter of reference from the program director/chair of any previously attended, but not completed, nursing program (if applicable)
• Validation of work experience (if applicable)
• Documentation of English proficiency (if applicable)

Required Work experience for lpns

Recent Graduates

Applicants who complete their LPN program less than 12 months prior to application to the AASN program are not required to have work experience.

Practicing LPNS

If it is greater than 12 months since graduation, the applicant must provide proof of work experience reflecting a minimum of 1,000 hours of nursing employment during the past 12-24 months.

Click here for employer documentation of work experience.

For any questions concerning this information, applicants are encouraged to see the AASN advisor (nursinginfo@AState.edu)

Deadline

All application materials must be received by June 7th for the fall semester. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. Applications are reviewed after the application deadline and preference is not given for early submission.

Additional Documentation

Students admitted will be required to supply additional documentation, including current CPR certification, Hepatitis B immunizations, TB skin test or chest x-ray, tetanus and MMR and proof of professional liability insurance (minimum $1,000,000/$6,000,000).

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.

An unencumbered LPN license is to be maintained throughout the program.

All documentation required by the School of Nursing must be kept current al all times during the course of the program.

FRESHMEN STUDENTS

Freshmen applicants who meet one of the following criteria will receive automatic admission to Arkansas State. While you have to meet minimum criteria, test scores are still required:

• 3.00 cumulative high school grade point average (or GED test score equivalent)
• 19 minimum ACT super score or minimum 990 combined SAT super score
• Class rank in the top 20% of applicant's graduating class
• A holistic application review process

Admitted freshmen who require remediation (based on entrance exam scores) or who have less than a 3.00 cumulative high school GPA will be required to participate in the Transition Studies leadership based support program throughout their enrollment at Arkansas State University

ADMISSION APPEALS

Freshmen applicants who do not meet automatic admission standards may be admitted to the university upon approval of the Undergraduate Admissions Appeal Committee. Freshmen approved by the Undergraduate Admissions Appeal Committee will participate in the Transition Studies leadership-based support program. In addition to an official high school transcript and official entrance exam scores, submit to the committee:

• Two letters of recommendation
• Statement of purpose answering the following prompts:
  • Why is A-State a good fit for you and your educational goals?
  • What are your academic and personal strengths and how do you plan to grow as a student at A-State?
  • What experiences outside of the classroom impact or had an impact on your academic performance.

Documents must be submitted at least two weeks before the start of classes for the semester.

FRESHMAN ADMISSION CHECKLIST:

• Completed Online Application
• $30 Application Fee
• Official High School Transcript
• Official ACT/SAT Score
• Immunization Record (2 MMRs)

TRANSFER STUDENTS

ADMISSION CRITERIA:
Transfer students are encouraged to apply for admissions the semester prior to enrolling in classes. You must have a cumulative 2.0 GPA on ALL transfer work. Students still in high school who have earned college credit should apply as a freshman.

TRANSFER ADMISSION CHECKLIST:

• Completed Online Application
• $30 Application Fee
• Official college transcript(s) from all colleges attended (emailed attachments and faxes will not be accepted)
• Completion of English Comp I and College Algebra OR official entrance exam scores
• Immunization Record (2 MMRs)

NON-DEGREE STUDENTS

ADMISSION CRITERIA:
Individuals who wish to pursue courses of special interest without submitting academic credentials may register for a maximum of six hours per semester (or three per summer term) accumulating up to 12 semester hours of undergraduate non-degree credit. Thereafter, non-degree students must comply with university admissions requirements or obtain a written waiver from the Registrar.

CAUTION: Non-degree students should not enroll in courses that are required in the general education program. Courses taken for non-degree credit are not acceptable toward a degree unless validated later by the student's meeting all conditions for admission to the university, including remediation requirements.

Non-degree students are required to meet the same course prerequisites as other students. Non-degree students are generally not eligible to participate in financial aid programs. Due to specific enrollment limitations, non-degree students may not register through the university's web registration system.

NON-DEGREE ADMISSION CHECKLIST:

• Completed Online Application
• $30 Application Fee
• Immunization Record (2 MMRs)

POST-DEGREE STUDENTS

ADMISSION CRITERIA:
Students who have earned a bachelor's degree and plan to enroll in additional undergraduate coursework should apply as a post-degree student. This includes students who earned a bachelor's degree at A-State.

POST-DEGREE ADMISSION CHECKLIST:

• Completed Online Application
• $30 Application Fee
• Official college transcript where the bachelor's degree was received
• Immunization Record (2 MMRs)

RETURNING (READMIT) STUDENTS

ADMISSION CRITERIA:
Students who have previously attended A-State but have not completed a bachelor's degree should apply as a readmit student. If you earned credit at A-State while still in high school, you should apply as a freshman or transfer student. Students who attended A-State and then attended another college should apply as a readmit student and submit the transcript from another institution.

RETURNING ADMISSION CHECKLIST:

• Completed Online Application
• $30 Application Fee
• Completion of English Comp I and College Algebra OR entrance exam scores
• Official College Transcript (If attended another institution after you attended A-State)
• Immunization Record (2 MMRs)

TRANSIENT STUDENTS

ADMISSION CRITERIA:
Students who have not earned a bachelor's degree who are enrolled at another institution and plan to transfer coursework back to their home institution should apply as a transient student. Transient students are required to meet the same course prerequisites as other students. Transient students are not eligible for financial aid or scholarships.

TRANSIENT ADMISSION CHECKLIST:

• Completed Online Application
• $30 Application Fee
• Official college transcript from currently enrolled college or letter of good standing
• Immunization Record (2 MMRs)

CONCURRENT STUDENTS

The A-State Concurrent Program is a partnership between the university and high schools to offer qualified high school students the opportunity to satisfy both high school and university credit requirements simultaneously through specific concurrent credit courses.

1. TAKE A CAMPUS TOUR

Learn about all A-State has to offer while visiting campus! We have a great team of student Chancellor's Ambassadors who love showing future students around the place they call home. To schedule a campus visit, click the link below and select the type of tour, date, and time that works best for you.

Schedule a tour online >>

2. COMPLETE AN APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION

Please complete an online admissions application. Click the link "Create an account" under the First-Time User heading. You will be emailed a temporary PIN number for your initial log in. Then you can set a new password. This will allow you to log in at any time and check your application status. For more detailed instructions, please check our UG application guide.

Go to the online application >>

3. SUBMIT A $30 NON-REFUNDABLE APPLICATION FEE

You will pay the application fee online when completing your application. To apply for an application fee waiver, please submit the Undergraduate Application Fee Waiver Request Form.

4. REQUEST OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT

Once you've applied, have your high school send us your transcript. This is typically handled through your high school counseling office. Also, if you've taken any concurrent enrollment college courses, have those official transcripts sent as well.

Official transcripts can be sent electronically through school-verified sites or mailed to:

Office of Admissions, Records and Registration - Arkansas State University
P.O. Box 1800
State University, AR 72467

5. SEND OFFICIAL TEST SCORES

Prospective students may use the following submission methods:

• High School Transcripts and Test Scores:
  All high school transcripts, ACT scores, and SAT scores must be sent directly from the high school or issuing institution, either via mail or electronically, to be considered official.
  Examples of school-verified electronic sources:
  • TRIAND
  • EDI
  • eScript
  • Scoir
  • Slate.org
  • Parchment
  Alternatively, these documents can be mailed directly from the high school to:
  Office of Admissions - Arkansas State University
  P.O. Box 1800 | State University, AR 72467
  If a student hand-delivers a transcript or test scores, they must be in a sealed envelope from the institution to be considered official.
• College Transcripts and Test Scores:
  All college transcripts must be sent directly from the institution via mail or electronically to be considered official.
  Accuplacer scores must come directly from the institution or College Board to be considered official.
  If a student hand-delivers transcripts or test scores, they must be in a sealed envelope from the institution to be considered official.
• Documents Received by A-State Admissions Counselors:
  Transcripts, test scores and shot records received by A-State Admissions Counselors during school visits should be uploaded directly into Slate. These documents are considered official if:
  • They are received directly from a school official.
  • They are received from the student in a sealed, school-branded envelope.
  • The Admissions Counselor who receives these documents must attest to their authenticity.
• Proof of MMR Immunization:
  Students may submit proof of MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) immunization directly. These documents are not required to be in a sealed envelope.
• Official Test Scores:
  ACT Scores:
  ACT scores can be sent directly to Arkansas State University via the high school or through Encoura. For more information on how to send ACT scores, visit ACT Score Sending.
  
  SAT Scores:
  SAT scores can be sent directly via the high school or through the College Board. For details on sending SAT scores, please refer to SAT Score Sending.
  
  Accuplacer Scores:
  Accuplacer scores can be sent directly by the testing administrator at the testing site, the College Board, or through the A-State Testing Center. For more information, visit Accuplacer Score Information.

6. SUBMIT TWO MMR (MUMPS, RUBELLA & RUBEOLA/MEASLES) RECORDS

MMR records are not required for admissions but must be submitted to enroll in on-campus courses.

Upload a copy of your MMR records to your application or have MMR records sent to:

Office of Admissions, Records and Registration - Arkansas State University
P.O. Box 1800

 

For students seeking readmission to an A-State Nursing program or you would like to transfer to A-State from another School of Nursing:

Requirements

Students seeking readmission or transferring from another school to the AASN nursing programs are required to pass a standardized test created from the objectives of the courses successfully completed in previous semesters.

Criteria for readmission to the undergraduate nursing programs includes:

• Complete readmission packet 
• Recommendation of faculty;
• Passing score (75%) on the standardized assessment test(s) of courses previously passed;
• Cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0; and
• Space availability in the class

Readmission applications and information on scheduling a testing date are located on the School of Nursing website each semester.

The cost of the readmission test will be the responsibility of the student.

Please email NRStesting@AState.edu with any questions.

Readmission/Transfer Deadline

Program applications for transfers and readmission will be available (Fall) April 30th - June 7th and (Spring) August 31st - October 15th.

RN Licensure

Upon completion of this program, the student is eligible to apply for licensure as a Registered Nurse.

A first-time applicant for any license with the Arkansas State Board of Nursing will be required to have a state and national background check. Any offenses 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 licensure.

The Nurse Practice Act may be viewed on the Arkansas State Board of Nursing website www.arsbn.org or on the nursing website.

Questions

For general questions and program information, please contact:

 

Jonesboro 

Pre-nursing advisor

(870) 972-3074

nursinginfo@AState.edu

For campus and application-specific questions contact the following:

ASU-West Memphis 

Lisa Montgomery, Admin Spec III
(870) 733-6031

*Mountain Home Campus - Effective Spring 2023 this program will no longer be offered on this campus

---

Affirmation

The School of Nursing affirms that all students enrolled in the AASN program must possess those intellectual, ethical, physical and emotional capabilities required to undertake the full curriculum and to achieve the levels of competence required by the faculty for safe professional practice. The criteria are included in the Nursing Student Handbook and are attached to the application for admission.