Nursing - Undergraduate Programs
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree
The undergraduate nursing degree consists of two programs: pre-licensure BSN and post-licensure RN to BSN. We offer two delivery options: traditional Campus Based (CB) Program and Accelerated Online (AO) Program. The Accelerated On-line Program (AO BSN and AO RN-BSN) is an online format developed by UT Arlington's College of Nursing to serve nurses in Texas and beyond by offering high quality, affordable, and convenient nursing programs. As there are some differences in policies between the programs, there may also be differences between the traditional Campus Based (CB) program and the Accelerated Online (AO) Program; those will be noted throughout the catalog.
The faculty of the College of Nursing takes academic honesty and ethical behavior very seriously. Nurses are entrusted with the health, safety and well-being of the public. Students found guilty of academic dishonesty will be punished to the full extent permitted by the rules and regulations of UT Arlington.
BSN (prelicensure) Program
This is a program consisting of nursing courses, university core courses and other prerequisite required courses. Upon successful completion of the program, the student is awarded the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and is eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for licensure as a Registered Nurse. This is offered as a campus based or accelerated on-line option.
RN to BSN Program
This program is designed for Registered Nurses who have completed an accredited Associate Degree or Diploma nursing program. Full-time students may complete the upper division nursing courses in one academic year. Upon successful completion of the program, the student is awarded the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. This is offered as a campus based or accelerated on-line option.
RN to MSN Program (Nursing Administration or Nursing Education)
The RN to MSN program is an option for RNs who want to move seamlessly between the RN to BSN program and the MSN program. The university calls this a Fast Track program. The Fast-Track RN to MSN program will enable outstanding undergraduate students who are registered nurses to satisfy degree requirements leading to a master's degree (MSN) in either Nursing Administration or Nursing Education while completing their undergraduate studies through the RN to BSN online program.
Undergraduate Outcomes - for the BSN degree
The University of Texas at Arlington Undergraduate Nursing Program prepares graduates to provide professional nursing care to persons/clients (individuals, families, groups, and communities) in diverse settings through the roles of provider of care, coordinator of care, and member of the profession.
On completion, the graduate will be able to:
- Apply the art and science of nursing using current evidence in the delivery of competent, culturally sensitive, developmentally appropriate holistic care.
- Utilize analytical, systematic, and critical reasoning for clinical judgment and nursing decision-making.
- Demonstrate accountability and responsibility for: optimal nursing care, legal and ethical standards, lifelong learning, professional development, promoting the nursing profession, and participating as a citizen in society.
- Collaborate and communicate respectfully and effectively with persons/clients and interdisciplinary teams using oral, nonverbal, written and electronic communication to promote and maintain optimal health outcomes to persons/clients.
- Demonstrate ethical behaviors and conflict management skills that inspire others and create effective working relationships to shape and implement change.
- Coordinate human and material resources in providing comprehensive, efficient, and cost-effective care to persons/clients.
- Articulate the importance of active and intentional life-long learning that includes self-reflection and awareness.
- Utilize standards of practice to provide safe nursing care in all patient care settings with an awareness of one's role in preventing errors and promoting quality improvement.
- Access and utilize information and computer sciences to perform nursing functions.
BSN Prelicensure Program
CORE Performance Standards for Admission and Progression in the College of Nursing
It is the philosophy of the University of Texas at Arlington College of Nursing (UTACON) that the baccalaureate program is designed to prepare a competent, self-directed, general practitioner of nursing who can assume increasing responsibility and leadership in the delivery of nursing care. In consideration of the preparation of a general practitioner, all individuals who apply for admission and are enrolled in the undergraduate program must be able to perform the essential functions of a student of nursing.
The College of Nursing has identified essential nursing skills: communication, cognitive, motor and sensory, observation, tactile, hearing, smell, psychomotor and ethical and professional integrity. The student enrolled in the program must demonstrate mastery of these components. Because providing direct patient care is physically demanding, students need to meet the physical requirements of a staff nurse in the same setting in which they are completing a clinical rotation.
Qualified applicants are admitted without discrimination with regard to race, color, national origin or ancestry, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status or disability (reasonable accommodations will be made within the Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines).
More detailed information is available in the UG Nursing Student Handbook. http://www.uta.edu/conhi/students/policy/index.php
Admission Requirements
Students may be admitted as freshmen or may transfer to UT Arlington upon meeting the admission or transfer requirements established by the University. Students who designate themselves as nursing majors will be advised by the College of Nursing in the Office of Enrollment and Student Services. Official transcripts must be submitted to the UT Arlington Office of Admissions, Records and Registration.
NOTE: All freshmen are advised by University College. First Time Full Time Freshmen are an exception to this rule and will be advised by a designated College of Nursing advisor.
BSN students desiring admission to the sequence of upper-division nursing courses leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Nursing must:
- Submit College of Nursing application and official transcripts by January 15 for following fall semester or June 1 for following spring semester.
- Complete with a C or better all specified nursing prerequisites and pre-nursing courses (N2300 Introduction to Professional and Clinical Concepts in Nursing; N3366 Pathophysiologic Processes: Implications for Nursing, and N3365 Pharmacology in Nursing Practice) prior to starting Junior I nursing courses. (See lower-division course list for details.) Both N3365 and N3366 must be taken within 3 years of starting the nursing program.
- Complete all 4 Natural Sciences.
- Have 2 GPAs calculated: science and overall prerequisite.
- Have minimum science and prerequisite GPAs of 2.75.
- Completion of designated sections of the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) with a score in the proficient range (58.7 - 77.3) for each of the following sections;
- Reading
- Math
- Science
- English and Language Usages
- Students admitted prior to Fall 2017 may complete either the TEAS or HESI A2 with the minimum required scores.
- Completion of designated sections of the Health Education Systems, Inc. Admissions Assessment Exam (HESI A2) with the following minimum scores: Effective with application for Fall 2020 (January 15 application date), HESI results will no longer be accepted.
- Grammar: 75%
- Math 75%, however, if accepted to the program, students scoring between 75-79% on the math portion of the HESI A2 will be required to complete a math remediation program prior to beginning the program.
- Reading Comprehension: 75%
- Vocabulary: 75%
- Learning Styles and Personality are also required; however, the results are not part of the application criteria.
Admission to Junior level (upper-division course work) is by ranking order based on space available. A student who accepts their spot, but decides not to start will get 2 (two) times to do this before they must wait 1 year (two application cycles) to reapply.
Additional consideration will be given to applicants who complete the following by the application deadline:
- Thirty (30) or more required College of Nursing prerequisite lower division credit hours earned at UT Arlington
- Twelve (12) or more required College of Nursing prerequisite lower-division natural science credit hours earned at UT Arlington.
- Nine (9) hours of UT Arlington ROTC courses (Must be active in ROTC) (CB only)
- Previous baccalaureate, masters or doctorate degree earned in the United States or international degree approved by UTA Office of Admissions.
- Veteran, including Reservist and National Guard
- First time full time freshman will receive an additional consideration if all four Natural Sciences and all three pre-nursing courses are completed at UTA. All four natural sciences, N2300 Intro to Professional Nursing and either N3366 Pathophysiologic Processes: Implication for Nursing or N3365 Pharmacology in Nursing Practice must be completed by application deadline and student is enrolled in N3366 Pathophysiologic Processes: Implication for Nursing or N3365 Pharmacology in Nursing Practice in the semester following the application.
NOTE: Students entering the Accelerated On-line BSN program must complete all prerequisites including the upper division elective prior to beginning the program. Priority will be given to off-campus AO applicants employed by partner hospital systems offering clinical sites during that semester of admission. Partner hospital clinical sites vary each semester. To receive AO priority, applicant must be employed at the time of ranking and the first day of class. For consideration, applicants must submit documentation of employment at time of application. Employment at a partner hospital is not a guarantee of admission into the upper-division nursing program.
Lower Division Courses
Students must successfully complete prerequisite courses as indicated on the Admission Brochure (http://www.uta.edu/conhi/academics/nursing-undergrad/bsn/bsn.php). Specific courses are subject to the Two Attempt and Grade Improvement policies. Under the Two-Attempt Policy each course taken at UT Arlington and/or any other approved institution may be attempted a maximum of two times to earn a passing grade. By the second attempt a grade of “C” or better must be earned.
- Withdrawals (W) are exempt from this policy
- Any non-passing grade is valid for a five year period. At the conclusion of five years, a non-passing grade is no longer considered an attempt.
The Grade Improvement Policy is unique to the CON and is used for the College selection process only. This policy differs from the CON Two Attempt Policy and from the University’s Grade Replacement, Exclusion, and Forgiveness polices. Grades of C or above may be replaced to improve GPAs for the College selection policies with the following limitations:
A limit of four courses may be retaken. The three pre-nursing courses (N2300 Intro to Professional and Clinical Concepts in Nursing, N3366 Pathophysiologic Processes: Implication for Nursing, and N3365 Pharmacology in Nursing Practice) are not eligible for the Grade Improvement Policy.
- All earned grades of C or higher are valid indefinitely
- The first four courses retaken are the grades used in the selection process. Any courses retaken thereafter are not used in the selection process.
- The higher of the two grades is used in the selection process
- Withdrawals (W) are exempt from this policy
UPPER DIVISION COURSES
Upper division pre-nursing courses include N3366 Pathophysiologic Processes: Implication for Nursing, and N3365 Pharmacology in Nursing Practice and are subject to the Failure of Pre-Nursing Policy.
One failed grade = probationary status with the CON indefinitely
Conditions of Probationary Status
- A student who earned a failed grade (D or F) in the term prior to BSN application deadline must re-take the course, pass with a C or better and have not violated the UT Arlington or College policies to be considered a viable applicant.
- A student who earned a failed grade (D or F) in the term directly following the BSN application deadline may not start the program, even if the course is retaken and passed during the subsequent term. A student is eligible to re-apply for the following application period; however the failed grade will be used in the selection process.
- Two failed grades = inability to continue with CON for a period of five years. Upon return, a student is eligible to apply under the conditions of the CON’s Re-entry policy.
- Re-entry policy refers to a student who is ineligible to continue a nursing program due to academic failure. This includes a student who was accepted into a pre-licensure program and has not completed an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. During this five year timeframe, a student may not enroll in the University as a pre-nursing major or apply to the upper-division nursing program under another major for five years.
Conditions of Re-entry
- A student must provide a letter from previous nursing school stating program dismissal was for academic reasons.
- Must meet the eligibility requirements of the application requirements and submit a new application by the desired start date application deadline
- Pathophysiologic Processes: Implication for Nursing, and Pharmacology in Nursing Practice must be re-taken
TOEFL Requirement
Applicants must receive a minimum score, as defined by the University, on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) if the applicant's native/first language is not English and if he or she does not hold a bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited U.S. institution. The exam is required for admission to the College of Nursing even if the student has met one of the stated University exemptions for the TOEFL.
Applicants who have graduated from secondary schools or colleges in the following countries are exempt from the TOEFL: Anguilla, Antigua, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada (except Quebec), Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Grand Cayman, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Liberia, Montserrat, New Zealand, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Trinidad/Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, and United Kingdom.
Students who are not exempt based on the countries listed above, but who can provide documentation of attendance and graduation from a secondary English speaking school in their native country or the US, will be exempt from the requirement.
CRITERIA FOR READMISSION OF UPPER DIVISION STUDENTS
Students who withdraw from the UT Arlington College of Nursing Program for more than one semester in good standing who wish to return to complete the program must submit a written request for readmission to the Office of Enrollment and Student Services by the following deadlines:
Returning spring –September 1st
Returning fall- April 15th
- Readmission is dependent upon space availability.
- A student is eligible for readmission to the program only once.
- If a clinical course is to be repeated, the student must repeat both the theory and clinical components of the course.
- Student must repeat the drug screening process.
Criteria for Readmission:
One semester:
- All of requirements listed above plus:
- Completion of a clinical skills assessment . This assessment will be completed no later than three weeks prior to the start of the semester in which the student is planning to return. The assessment will focus on the skills associated with the last clinical course completed. Input related to skills to be assessed may be sought from faculty in the previous course(s) completed. Should clinical deficiencies be identified, faculty will remediate clinical skill areas that are questionable or inadequate and provide the results to the lead teacher of the course the student is scheduled to enter. Failing to demonstrate adequate clinical skills after three attempts will result in the student being required to retake the last clinical course taken to re-establish clinical competency.
- If the student is in the AO BSN program, he/she will be required to come to the UT Arlington campus to complete the special skills assessment.
Two Long Semesters:
- All of requirements listed above plus:
- Satisfactory scores on previous exams. Student must take NURS 2232 if the student failed a course and has not taken NURS 2232. If a student scores less than the required score on a proctored standardized exam, the student must complete the focused review before returning to the program.
- As the school adopts standardized tests, satisfactory scores covering previous nursing courses must be achieved (i.e. mid-curricular tests).
- Repeat criminal background check and random urine drug screen.
More than two long semesters:
- Not eligible for readmission. Student must apply for admission as a beginning student.
Transfer from Another Nursing Program
Nursing transfer students are defined as those students who have successfully completed prerequisite courses with a C or above and Junior I courses for the BSN Program: Holistic Health Assessment and Clinical Nursing Foundations at another college or university. Students who have not completed the required courses will be ranked with the incoming junior class. Admission as a transfer student to the College of Nursing is contingent upon available space. Transfer students must attend orientation. Transfer students ready to start as a Junior 2 can be admitted in either the CB or AO programs.
- Transfer students must transfer all nursing courses and the grade received from those courses.
- Minimum required scores as stated on the admission brochure (http://www.uta.edu/conhi/academics/nursing-undergrad/bsn/bsn.php).
- The student must submit a course syllabus and a content outline of the course(s) to the Office of Enrollment and Student Services. If the course is a clinical course, a list of nursing skills learned in the course(s) must also be submitted.
- The lead teacher in the course, using the Field of Study Criteria Guidelines and other criteria related to the course, will review courses provided by the student for substitution of UT Arlington courses. Faculty may request additional information to clarify their decision. The course is then accepted as a substitution for a core nursing course, as an elective, or denied.
Students must submit:
- Letter from previous school stating that the student is in good standing
Students must have:
- Minimum 2.75 GPA in the prerequisite natural science and prerequisite lower-division courses.
- No D's or F's in nursing courses
- Must meet application deadlines of:
- March 1 - Fall Semester
- September 1 - Spring Semester
Processing of the transfer procedure will not be initiated until the student has applied to the College of Nursing and Health Innovation.
Orientations
All Junior I BSN students and transferring students are required to complete the general online orientation in the Learning Management System and attend the mandatory in-person orientation held prior to the fall and spring semesters.
Clinical orientation is mandatory for all BSN students, as established by the Dallas/Fort Worth Hospital Council. BSN students are required to complete the Standard Hospital Student Orientation annually. Clinical requirements must be valid through the entire semester. If the annual orientation will expire during the current semester, it must be updated.
Special Paraphernalia/Equipment Requirements
All Nursing students entering the Undergraduate BSN pre-licensure program are required to have equipment that is required by health care settings in which students have practice experiences. A complete list of requirements is outlined in the College of Nursing BSN Student Handbook at: https://www.uta.edu/conhi/students/policy/index.php.
All students enrolled in the College of Nursing must have internet access and a laptop computer meeting minimum computing recommendations. A list of computer specifications is outlined on the College of Nursing website, https://www.uta.edu/conhi/. Students may be asked to purchase and download software to meet course and/or program requirements.
Smart Phone or similar device highly recommended.
Immunizations
Applicants must submit vaccine and titer information at the time of application. Flu vaccine and TB testing must be completed by the College of Nursing deadline as given in Orientation. Specific requirements are listed on the CON website: http://www.uta.edu/conhi/students/imm-prelic/index.php.
Certification-Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
Undergraduate nursing students are required to obtain American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLSC) CPR for Healthcare Providers.
Evidence of current CPR certification is required during clinical course enrollment from admission to graduation. The CPR must be valid throughout an entire semester with a clinical. If the current card will expire during the semester, the student must retake the course and have a card that will not expire during the semester.
Health Insurance Coverage
All UT Arlington nursing students enrolled in clinical course(s) will be required to provide verification of medical insurance coverage that includes Emergency Department evaluation and follow-up treatment for needle-stick and blood borne disease exposure. This mandatory clinical requirement has been authorized by The University of Texas System Board of Regents.
As such, UT Arlington will not cover initial and/or follow up treatment for needle-stick injuries and/or exposure to blood borne diseases which may occur while students are enrolled in clinical courses.
While the UT Arlington College of Nursing recognizes the financial impact this clinical requirement presents for students, we also support the need for students to have health coverage for sudden illness, accidents, emergencies and exposure treatments that may occur in the clinical setting in a variety of clinical agencies.
Drug Screen Policy
All students accepted to the BSN AO or CB programs will complete a drug screen.
At any time if there is a confirmation of a positive drug screening, the student will be removed from clinical courses for a period of one calendar year. Upon returning to the program, random drug screenings will be conducted throughout the program. A second positive test will result in immediate dismissal from the nursing program.
Random and / or for cause drug screens are at the student's expense and must be completed as required. Failure/refusal to undergo a drug screen on the designated day will result in immediate dismissal from the nursing program.
Criminal Background Screen
Accepted students complete two criminal background checks (CBC): Texas Board of Nursing (BON) and GroupOne.
Students should complete the Texas BON CBC prior to program application. Students who have completed NURS 2300, Introduction to Professional Nursing, or are currently enrolled in NURS 2300, should submit their BON CBC during that course. Students, who have not taken NURS 2300 by the application deadline, should contact the Office of Enrollment and Student Services, provide the necessary information, give permission to send the information to the BON, and schedule the fingerprinting appointment within one month of the application deadline.
GroupOne is completed after program acceptance.
A student with a positive criminal background screen will not be admitted into the program without a Declaratory Order from the Texas Board of Nursing stating that the individual has been granted permission to write the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN Examination) upon completion of the requirements for graduation and payment of any required fees. Eligibility to take the NCLEX-RN Examination may be affected by any inaccuracies in the petition, and any subsequent violations of the Nursing Practice Act that may affect eligibility to sit for the examination or the later revocation of a license obtained through misrepresentation.
Eligibility to Write the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX RN) - Declaratory Orders
The Texas Board of Nursing (BON) has set out guidelines and criteria on the eligibility of persons with criminal convictions to obtain a license as a registered nurse. The BON may refuse to admit persons to its licensure examinations, may refuse to issue a license or certificate of registration, or may refuse to issue a temporary permit to any individual who has any criminal offense. Detailed information related to determining eligibility and required processes to determine eligibility for your specific circumstances is available from the Texas Board of Nursing and on their Web site (www.bon.state.tx.us). Students who are unable to obtain clearance from the BON will not be allowed to begin the nursing program.
Once admitted to the nursing program, any student that commits an offense that would require a Declaratory Order will be removed from current and future clinical courses until the Declaratory Order is obtained from the Texas BON and submitted to the Assistant Dean in the Office of Enrollment and Student Services..
Professional Liability Insurance
Nursing students are required to have evidence of professional liability insurance coverage for a minimum of $1,000,000 limit each claim and $3,000,000 limit aggregate. The charge for coverage will be assessed as a mandatory fee at the time of registration.
Fees
Course fee information is available at www.uta.edu/fees. Additional costs beyond tuition, fees and books that may be incurred by a nursing student will include those items listed in the catalog under the Special Paraphernalia / Equipment Requirements. In addition, some clinical agencies charge a nominal fee for parking passes and utilizing their scrubs.
Oral Communication Proficiency Requirement
Oral proficiency is recognized to be a critical component of providing safe nursing care. In addition to content-specific presentations in various nursing courses, all nursing students are required to communicate effectively with clients, members of the health care team, and faculty. Contact the Associate Chair of Undergraduate Programs for more information.
E-mail Accounts
Each student will be provided a UT Arlington e-mail address. Official communications from the College of Nursing will be distributed to this e-mail address and Blackboard accounts required by many courses. Students will be held responsible for information distributed in this manner.
Nursing Course Withdrawal Policy
Students within the pre-licensure BSN program, enrolled in an upper division NURS course are permitted to drop the course one time. Students cannot drop the course again for academic reasons. Upon attempting the course for the second time, the earned grade is retained. Students who retake a course after earning a grade of W and who are unable to meet the course requirements will receive a non-passing grade. Students may drop no more than three upper division NURS courses during their undergraduate career.
Elective and pre-nursing courses are exempt from this policy but may be affected by the two attempt policy.
Exceptions to this policy may be entertained because of extraordinary non-academic circumstances.
Movement Between Programs
Movement between the AO and CB BSN programs is at the discretion of Program Administration. Students will be required to sign a Program Transfer Agreement.
Pre-Licensure BSN Students Who Drop or Fail a Course
BSN students who withdraw or fail a course can repeat the course the next available time the course is offered.
AO Students:
-
Students who seek readmission after failing or withdrawing for any reason must meet with the Assistant Dean for Student Services to discuss clinical and course options.
- If no sites are available, the student will be delayed until a seat is available at a future admission date. See the student handbook for full policy http://www.uta.edu/conhi/students/policy/index.php
*If there are more students than seats available, the students will be placed in the order in which they request the move (first come, first placed).
Clinical Courses
To pass a clinical course, the student must pass both the didactic and the clinical components of that course.
Clinical Attendance During Scheduled University Closings
Some programs in the College of Nursing, such as the AO BSN Program, may require students to attend clinical on evenings, nights, weekends, or holidays. Students are expected to attend their assigned clinical rotation as scheduled, even when the University is otherwise scheduled for closure, i.e. Spring Break. This policy does not include inclement weather closings.
Progression
Students in the BSN Program will not be permitted to continue in the nursing program nor to enroll for additional courses if they:
- Receive a grade of D or F in more than one nursing course including N3366: Pathophysiology and N3365 Pharmacology or
- Receive any combination of grades of D or F on two attempts of the same course.
- Do not successfully complete remediation requirements according to the Comprehensive Assessment and Preparation Program. http://www.uta.edu/conhi/students/policy/index.php
- The University grade replacement / exclusion policy is limited by the College of Nursing and is not applicable to nursing courses.
A student in the RN to BSN Program who earns a second D or F in a nursing course will be placed on probation. The student must earn a C or above in all subsequent courses in order to remain in the program.
Required Testing
Students are required to take nationally normed tests throughout the Junior and Senior years of the BSN program and to make a satisfactory score on such tests. In the Senior year, students are required to take a Capstone comprehensive exam and to make a satisfactory score on such an exam to successfully pass Capstone and be eligible for graduation.
Honors Degree in Nursing
Nursing students who wish to graduate with an Honors Degree in Nursing must be members of the Honors College in good standing. Students must complete the Nursing degree requirements and the requirements of the Honors College. Contact the College of Nursing Honors Coordinator for further information.
RN to BSN Program
CORE Performance Standards for Admission and Progression in the College of Nursing
It is the philosophy of the University of Texas at Arlington College of Nursing (UTACON) that the baccalaureate program is designed to prepare a competent, self-directed, general practitioner of nursing who can assume increasing responsibility and leadership in the delivery of nursing care. In consideration of the preparation of a general practitioner, all individuals who apply for admission and are enrolled in the undergraduate program must be able to perform the essential functions of a student of nursing.
The College of Nursing has identified essential nursing skills: communication, cognitive, motor and sensory, observation, tactile, hearing, smell, psychomotor and ethical and professional integrity. The student enrolled in the program must demonstrate mastery of these components. Because providing direct patient care is physically demanding, students need to meet the physical requirements of a staff nurse in the same setting in which they are completing a clinical rotation.
Qualified applicants are admitted without discrimination with regard to race, color, national origin or ancestry, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status or disability (reasonable accommodations will be made within the Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines).
More detailed information is available in the UG Nursing Student Handbook. http://www.uta.edu/conhi/students/policy/index.php
Admission Requirements
Students may be admitted or may transfer to UT Arlington upon meeting the admission or transfer requirements established by the University. Students who designate themselves as nursing majors will be advised by the College of Nursing in the Office of Enrollment & Student Services. Official transcripts must be submitted to the UT Arlington Office of Admissions.
Registered nurses desiring admission to this program must:
- Complete listed prerequisites with a minimum prerequisite GPA of 2.5
- Meet the TOEFL requirement (if applicable)
- Have a current license as an RN in the U.S.A.
Credit by RN Licensure
Transcripts of RN students are evaluated with consideration of the Coordinating Board Field of Study Curriculum guidelines. Credit is given for all courses listed in the Field of Study Curriculum as transferable as well as any additional courses that may be applicable for transfer for a total of 29 hours.
Certain other conditions apply:
- If the student earned one D or F in a nursing course at another college or school of nursing, they will be admitted unconditionally. If the student earns a subsequent D or F at UT Arlington, he/she will be placed on probation. The student must earn a C or above in all subsequent courses in order to remain in the program.
- If the student has earned more than one D or F, but no more than two, in nursing courses at another college or school of nursing, the student will enter UT Arlington on a probationary basis. The student must earn a C or above in all subsequent courses at UT Arlington in order to remain in the program.
TOEFL Requirement
Applicants must receive a minimum score, as defined by the University, on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) if the applicant's native/first language is not English and if he or she does not hold a bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited U.S. institution. The exam is required for admission to the College of Nursing even if the student has met one of the stated University exemptions for the TOEFL.
Applicants who have graduated from secondary schools or colleges in the following countries are exempt from the TOEFL: Anguilla, Antigua, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada (except Quebec), Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Grand Cayman, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Liberia, Montserrat, New Zealand, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Trinidad/Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, and United Kingdom. Students who are not exempt based on the countries listed above, but who can provide documentation of attendance and graduation from a secondary English speaking school in their native country or the US, will be exempt from the requirement.
Orientation
All Campus Based Junior RN-BSN students and transferring RN-BSN students are required to attend the general orientation held prior to entering their Junior semester.
Progression
The University grade replacement/exclusion policy is limited by the College of Nursing and is not applicable to nursing courses.
- A student in the RN to BSN Program who earns a second D or F will be placed on probation. The student must earn a C or above in all subsequent courses in order to remain in the program.
Fees
Course fee information is available at www.uta.edu/fees. Additional costs beyond tuition, fees and books that may be incurred by a nursing student in this program will be detailed on the College of Nursing website www.uta.edu/conhi.
Oral Communication Proficiency Requirement
Oral proficiency is recognized to be a critical component of providing safe nursing care. In addition to content-specific presentations in various nursing courses, all nursing students are required to communicate effectively with clients, members of the health care team, and faculty. Contact Undergraduate RN-BSN Program Director for more information.
E-mail Accounts
Each student will be provided a UT Arlington e-mail address. Official communications from the College of Nursing will be distributed to this e-mail address and Blackboard accounts required by many courses. Students will be held responsible for information distributed in this manner.
Movement Between Programs
Movement between AO and CB RN-BSN program is at the discretion of Program Administration.
BSN Prelicensure Program
Prior to Enrollment
The following semester hours must be completed prior to enrollment in upper-division nursing courses except as noted:
| Natural Sciences | ||
| Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II 1,2,3,4,7 | 8 | |
| Microbiology 2,4,7 | 4 | |
| General Chemistry and Biological Chemistry 2,4,7 | 4 | |
| Behavioral Sciences | ||
| Introduction to Psychology 4,7 | 3 | |
| Sociology or Anthropology 3,4,5 | 3 | |
| Developmental Psychology (Lifespan) 4,7 | 3 | |
| Nursing | ||
| NURS 2300 | INTRODUCTION TO PROFESSIONAL AND CLINICAL CONCEPTS IN NURSING 7 | 3 |
| NURS 3365 | PHARMACOLOGY IN NURSING PRACTICE 4,7 | 3 |
| NURS 3366 | PATHOPHYSIOLOGIC PROCESSES: IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING 4,7 | 3 |
| Other | ||
| Creative Arts (architecture, art, dance, music or theatre arts) 3,5 | 3 | |
| Upper Division Elective 5 | 3 | |
| Math | ||
| MATH 1301 | CONTEMPORARY MATHEMATICS (An applicant taking math at UT Arlington is encouraged to complete Contemporary Mathematics (MATH 1301)) 3 | 3 |
| Statistics 3,4,7 | 3 | |
| History and Government | ||
| U.S. History I and II 3,5,6 | 6 | |
| U.S. and Texas Government 3,5,6 | 6 | |
| English | ||
| English Composition I and II 3 | 6 | |
| English Literature 3,5 | 3 | |
| Technical Writing 4,7 | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 70 | |
| 1 | If part of a two-semester sequence, both courses are required. |
| 2 | Must contain a lab component. |
| 3 | Degree Plan Core Curriculum courses. |
| 4 | Degree Plan Program Specific courses. |
| 5 | CB students may complete after enrollment in junior nursing courses. |
| 6 | House Bill 935, passed by the Sixtieth Legislature, provides that no person may receive an undergraduate degree unless she/he has taken and passed six semester hours in American political science and six semester hours in United States history. |
| 7 | Must be passed with a grade of C or better and is subject to the Two-Attempt policy |
Note: AO BSN students must complete all courses, including the upper division elective, prior to enrollment in junior nursing courses.
Suggested Course Sequence
The following semester hours must be completed for graduation. These courses are prescriptive. A student may not move to the next semester without successfully completing the previous semester.
| Third Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| NURS 3320 | 3 | NURS 3481 | 4 |
| NURS 3333 | 3 | NURS 3561 | 5 |
| NURS 3632 | 6 | NURS 3321 | 3 |
| NURS 3261 | 2 | ||
| 12 | 14 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| First Semester | Hours | Second Semester | Hours |
| NURS 4431 | 4 | NURS 4350 | 3 |
| NURS 4441 | 4 | NURS 4462 | 4 |
| NURS 4581 | 5 | NURS 4351 | 3 |
| NURS 4223 | 2 | ||
| 13 | 12 | ||
| Total Hours: 51 | |||
RN to BSN Program
Prior to Enrollment
| Natural Sciences | ||
| Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II 1,2,3,4,5 | 8 | |
| Microbiology or Bacteriology 2,4,5 | 4 | |
| English | ||
| Composition I and II 3 | 6 | |
| Literature 3,5 | 3 | |
| Technical Writing or Equivalent 4,6,7 | 3 | |
| History and Government | ||
| American History I and II 3,5,8 | 6 | |
| U.S. Government and Texas State and Local Government 3,5,8 | 6 | |
| Behavioral Sciences | ||
| Introduction to Psychology 4,5 | 3 | |
| Sociology or Anthropology 3,4,5 | 3 | |
| Development Psychology (Lifespan) 4,5 | 3 | |
| Other | ||
| Fine Arts (architecture, art, dance, music or theatre arts) 3,5 | 3 | |
| MATH 1301 | CONTEMPORARY MATHEMATICS (An applicant taking math at UT Arlington is encouraged to complete Contemporary Mathematics (MATH 1301)) 3 | 3 |
| Statistics 3,4,6 | 3 | |
| Upper division elective 5,9 | 3 | |
| 1 | If part of a two-semester sequence, both courses are required. |
| 2 | Must contain a laboratory component. |
| 3 | Degree Plan Core Curriculum courses. |
| 4 | Degree Plan Program Specific courses. |
| 5 | May be completed after enrollment in nursing program. |
| 6 | Course must be completed with a grade of C or above prior to enrolling in the nursing program. |
| 7 | Technical Writing is preferred. Equivalents include Literature, Speech, or Philosophy, as long as the courses are sophomore-level or higher, have a writing component, and are approved by an advisor. |
| 8 | House Bill 935, passed by Sixtieth Legislature, provides that no person may receive an undergraduate degree unless she/he has taken and passed six semester hours in American political science and six semester hours in United States history. |
| 9 | The upper division elective course is in addition to the 3 credit hour upper division nursing elective requirement included in the 35 credit RN to BSN Nursing Course listing. This general 3 credit requirement can be met by taking any upper division elective course (including a second nursing elective), or by providing documentation of being certified through a nationally recognized nursing certification examination, or by completing a work-based project in the Nursing Cooperative Education (Co-Op) Program |
Course Sequence
| Third Year | Hours |
|---|---|
| NURS 3325 | 3 |
| NURS 3345 | 3 |
| NURS 3315 | 3 |
| NURS 3375 | 3 |
| NURS 3335 | 3 |
| Upper-division nursing electives1 | 3 |
| 18 | |
| Fourth Year | Hours |
| NURS 4325 | 3 |
| NURS 4455 | 4 |
| NURS 4465 | 4 |
| NURS 4685 | 6 |
| 17 | |
| Total Hours: 35 | |
| 1 | Elective credit may be awarded for national certifications. Electives may be taken as a junior or as a senior. |
| New Footnote | Will accept up to 29 credit hours transferred from a diploma or Associate Degree in nursing. |