UALR Nursing Program Applicant 2014

U.S.A. Arkansas

Published

I plan on applying for the ADN progam at UALR soon. I am a nervous reck. I know there are more people applying than spots available. I have about 96 quality points. I made an 84 on my evolve exam. I have a 3.5 gpa. I have taken most of my Support Courses except Chemistry and Microbiology. I am taking Micro in the spring and have to repeat chemistry b/c I made a D in it about 10 years ago. I'm scared that chemistry will ruin my chances. I have a prior bachelors degree. I was just wondering what shot do I have of getting in the program.

Specializes in psych.

Personally, I love UALR's program. But I'm not going to lie. Its hard. The teachers really push you with clinical paperwork and reading to make sure you will be a good nurse. The tests are all nclex style questions, so that really takes some getting used to. I looked into Baptist's program, but decided on UALR because they have a really high first time pass rate for nclex. It was in the upper 90's when I looked into it. Plus they have a really good reputation within the hospitals as graduating well rounded nurses. The teachers can be intimidating at first, but they are all willing to help out if you need some extra help understanding anything.

If you work, you have to have an employer that's willing to change or modify your schedule as needed. Most people that I know in my program work the 12 hour weekend option as a CNA or student nurse at the hospitals. Some will pick up shifts during the week as schedules permit. Others don't work and just very carefully budget student loan money and work a lot during the summer. I didn't realize until I started this program, but you can get financial aid if you are a post bac. It's limited to something like 40 hours of classes, but that enough to get you through this program if you decide not to work.

The program offers a monthly info session where they will explain the program in detail. You can find that on the website and sign up. They are more than happy to show people around and answer questions.

Thank you very much for the wealth of information. I wasn't aware of the post bac money or 40 hour cap. I'm aware of those once a month info meetings at UALR, but I have yet to attend one. All I know, is that I have about 10k available in federal funding that I did not use up while working on my BSE at UCA. I've decided a practical nursing license would be the best option for me. I've got all the prereqs already under my belt, it's just 11 months long, and I'll be able to continue to work full-time. My plan is then go to UACCM for a RN license, and then jump right in to the MSN and PhD program at UAMS. Good look on your schooling. What a wonderful feeling I bet to finally be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Specializes in psych.

Good luck with LPN. We have 13 LPN's that joined us for our last year. There are a couple of RN to MSN accredited programs that are online.

Walden university offers an accredited RN to BSN online program. Then you can get the MSN online.

Drexel University in PA offers an RN to MSN bridge program. As well as the doctor of nursing practice.

Sacred Heart University in CT offers an accredited online RN to MSN.

There are quite a few RN to BSN and RN to MSN programs if you start looking around. Several nurses I worked with during my peds rotation were doing RN to MSN online programs. Some programs require you to have any bachelor. Others just a diploma or ADN/ASN. Some are strictly online, others are online but require you to be on their campus for a week sometime during the program. A lot of the schools won't show up at the top of the list when you try googling it. I had to wade through and go directly to the schools to see who offered what.

I am also an applicant for the program this year! I'm so nervous waiting for the letter (or email, however they communicate acceptance). I applied for the fast track. Did any of you? Some of you who have already been through it, when did you get your letter? I'm glad just to find others who are applying this year!

I also applied to UALR this year--did you apply for the fast track or traditional?

I applied for the fast track also! I got my acceptance letter to the UAMS BSN program, so I'm just a little curious to see if I have been accepted to UALR also! My #1 choice was UAMS Though! Good luck everyone!

Specializes in psych.

Hey guys. I don't think they have started sending out letters. I think its April when they start sending them out. I'm guessing they send them out like other schools. They send out a round of letters. Then you have so long to accept or decline. Based on those numbers, they will send out another round. They have a group that goes through Nurse 1300 Intro to nursing class. Its 5 weeks. And intense. Not everyone passes. Depending on how many do not pass, they will send out another round of acceptance letters in June for a July class.

For my graduation class, we started with 200 for the May class. Then we had 59 in a July Intro class. I was in the July 5th class and got my acceptance a week before class started. So not a lot of time. Between both summer groups, about 60 people did not pass and we started Fall Adult 1 class with 200. Then lost another 60 by December.

Regardless on whether you choose traditional or accelerated, you take the summer class plus the first 2 semesters together. Its the last 2 that you split off with traditional having having the summer off and going fall/spring versus accelerated going summer/fall.

Hey y'all! I also applied for the fast track. Fingers crossed! I dropped by the nursing department at UALR this morning and they echoed what TiredKitten said; applicants should start to receive letters in early April. Eek! I'm excited and nervous.

Specializes in Operating Room.

Wow I didn't realized they still sent letters out that late. I know they said after April they will start sending letters but I still find myself checking the mailbox everyday for some reason even though it's not April yet. Lol.

Hey, do you know when the nursing department at UALR is going to send out acceptance letters? I'm too Xcited :D

Specializes in Operating Room.

All their facebook page says is they'll be sending out denial/acceptance/wait-list letters towards the end of March.

I have applied and am anxiously waiting for the letter from UALR. I must have checked my e-mail 20 times today! I am also a post-bac student. My bachelors was in Psychology. I am finishing up the last of my pre-reqs now (Micro and APII).

I also chose the UALR program because of the shorter time until job entry and the fewer pre-reqs than UAMS. I'm sure that UAMS has a great program, but with UALR, I can get my RN in 2 years, and work while completing my BSN. Plus, UALR has the highest NCLEX pass rate in the area, which I think speaks volumes about the program itself. And, based on the students that do clinicals at SVI, they have a diverse group of students which I think helps in learning.

I currently work at SVI. While it's true that hospitals are now preferring a BSN, they don't exclusively hire BSNs. I thin the Magnet goal was like 40% of nurses to have a BSN or higher, which isn't that high of a %. I know that at SVI, all new grads start out in their residency program regardless of degree, and they don't place as much importance on degree type for selection into the program.

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