[penny2009]

Does anyone have any insight to either of these nursing programs? Right now I am planning on starting in the fall in Fayetteville, but I am wondering if maybe transferring to UAMS would be more beneficial in the long run? My main concern is getting the best experience and education possible.

[LuvLondon04]

Both are BSN programs... you really can't go wrong. I have heard terrible things about the UA faculty (and have horror stories myself) so I chose to go to UAMS.

You only get back what you put in to both schools... most of the graduates from UA (according to those I work with at Regional) have been said to lack clinical skills because they aren't on the floor enough (as well as being ill-prepared 1st year nurses). I have also heard good things come out of some students... but more bad than good. UAMS has had a better reputation, perhaps because it's been around and serving undergrads longer. I think that they have more to offer in the way of experience and clinical facilities.

Good luck.. I hope that you find what you are looking for!

[Ex130Load]

If memory serves me, UAMS had a better first time NCLEX pass rate as fairly recently posted in AR Board of Nursing's magazine. Fayettville may have been in the mid-70s--yikes. But UAMS' first time pass rate has dropped significantly compare to my year group--mid-90s down to upper middle-80s. UALR was in the mid-90s. Call the board of nursing.

[Robinroo62]

As a senior graduating from ua- fayetteville, all I can tell you about are my experiences, and those have unfortunatly not been good. I can think of 3 outstanding instructors at the ua and many not so good ones. During the length of my schooling here we have had many discrepancys about policies and procedures and have had to use the university's mediator service many times to work things out between the faculty and the students. Fortunately it has always worked out in favor for the students. now as to the claims that we dont have as much experience on the floor and arent as prepared for our first year, they are taking agressive measures to increase our clinical experiences and preparation for our first year. Like many schools, It has its own problems as im sure uams does, the main one that i can think of is the administration of ua-fayetteville and untill they start listening to the students things will not get much better. On the plus side the nursing program is about to get a new building and will have much more space and they already have awesome learning tools! lol where ever you choose to go its going to be hard work and lots of studying but hang in there and use as many resources as possible!

[maxamillion]

i went to UALR, and most of my fellow grads have past NCLEX on first try. next year they will have a BSN program, right now they are offering prereqs for the BSN program.

[anna19]

i am currently attending ualr for my pre-reqs and i have been accepted at UAMS starting this summer!!! i have heard a/b the BSN program at ualr but here are a couple points to remember about it. right now ualr only offers an ASN in nursing and they are working to get a BSN COMPLETION program approved and started by fall '08. this is not a tradition BSN program this is for people who already have the ASN or are already an RN!!! good luck in your decisions!!!!

[Arkansastraveler]

I'm about to enter the BSN program at UCA. I don't know if you are only considering U of A or UAMS, but UCA has a good program. It's a very intense program, but they get LOTS of clinical experience. Anyhow, you might look into it.

[aRNnAR]

Originally Posted by penny2009

Does anyone have any insight to either of these nursing programs? Right now I am planning on starting in the fall in Fayetteville, but I am wondering if maybe transferring to UAMS would be more beneficial in the long run? My main concern is getting the best experience and education possible.

You might want to think about attending the ASU nursing. I graduated in 03 & was accepted into a very competitive CRNA program the following year & am now a CRNA so it's obviously a good program.