UALR? UAMS? or Baptist?

U.S.A. Arkansas

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Hello I'm so close to finishing my pre-req for a nursing program. I'm kind of stuck on which one has a better nursing program. I heard all of the have their pros and cons but these were somewhat a few years back. I'm more of a hands on learner, if this helps any. Thanks for any feedback :)

Hey! Im getting ready to start applying and not sure which school is better, Baptist or UALR, any advice?

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I am currently in the UALR program and I love it. It is a lot of hard work, but you learn everything you need to be an excellent nurse. UALR has it set up so that you can get your ADN in 1.5/2years, then begin working and do the extra year of BSN coursework work totally online. They have a partnership with St. Vincent that includes scholarships. Also, the UALR NCLEX pass rates are some of the highest in the state, so it's a good program.

As far as the Baptist program, I have heard that it is an easier program (which may account for it's NCLEX pass rates only in the 80's). It is a diploma program so you don't get any degree with the program, but you're still eligible to sit for the NCLEX and can do an RN-BSN program online in the future.

UAMS has a good program as well with high NCLEX pass rates but it is a full-time, 3 year program. They have more pre-requisites than any of the other nursing programs, so that may need to be taken into consideration.

All of them have their pros and cons. I chose UALR because of the short program time, variety in clinical rotation sites (SVI, VA, Baptist, Saline, Bridgeway, Birchtree, State Hospital, UAMS), less pre-requisites, and because I am still able to work full time while attending. Your personal decision will need to take all of these things into account. What kind of degree do you want? What pre-reqs do you have? Do you work?

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I'm a freshman in college who is currently taking my prereqs for nursing school. My goal is to apply Spring 2016 to either UAMS or UALR. I've seen a lot of typical nursing school schedules but not many that were up to date or in Arkansas. I'd really appreciate it if you or anyone else could tell me your class schedules and if you were able to work outside of school. I just want an accurate idea of what is to come.

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I've been seeing your responses everywhere and I love how helpful you are. My first choice is UAMS and UALR is next.I've seen a lot of typical nursing school schedules but not many that were up to date or in Arkansas. I'd really appreciate it if some of you could tell me your class schedules and if you were able to work outside of school. I just want an accurate idea of what is to come.

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My schedule does allow me to work. I work full time (40 hrs a week) and still attend school as well. It's difficult, but doable. My schedule this semester includes class for 2 hrs on Monday and Friday and then I have 2 6hr clinical rotations each week on Wed/Thurs nights. My employer is flexible so I'm able to come in and work around that schedule. Flexibility is definitely key in working through nursing school.

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I'm currently finishing my first year at UAMS, so if all goes as planned I will graduate next May (16). Our class schedule is usually 2 days a week of class (often 9-12 or 9-2 depending not the day). Additionally there is usually one 12 hour clinical a week. Tests are usually one every 2 weeks on average, sometimes more or less depending on your specific rotation. You usually take 2-3 classes at one time, with one of those being an 8-week specialty rotation. (This equates to having something to study for or test on pretty much all the time).

Some of the Jr and more of the Sr nursing students do work. I would say once you get past the first summer it would be feasible. However, I know they are changing how the summer and follow-on semesters works, so that may not hold true after this year.

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This was very informative! Ok. UAMS and UALR are my top 2 choices, but my question is, because I want to get my bachelors right away and not an associates, would UAMS be the best choice?

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UAMS is the only program in the LR area that offers a BSN only program, so if that's your main goal, then UAMS would probably be the best program for you. However, getting an ADN and then doing the one year RN to BSN option online allows you to work while finishing the bachelors. It's really a personal preference.

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Thanks again! I was actually looking into the second option so that I can get started sooner. I'm just scared I will have a hard time finding a job with just the ADN.

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I am currently in the UALR program and I love it. It is a lot of hard work, but you learn everything you need to be an excellent nurse. UALR has it set up so that you can get your ADN in 1.5/2years, then begin working and do the extra year of BSN coursework work totally online. They have a partnership with St. Vincent that includes scholarships. Also, the UALR NCLEX pass rates are some of the highest in the state, so it's a good program.

As far as the Baptist program, I have heard that it is an easier program (which may account for it's NCLEX pass rates only in the 80's). It is a diploma program so you don't get any degree with the program, but you're still eligible to sit for the NCLEX and can do an RN-BSN program online in the future.

UAMS has a good program as well with high NCLEX pass rates but it is a full-time, 3 year program. They have more pre-requisites than any of the other nursing programs, so that may need to be taken into consideration.

All of them have their pros and cons. I chose UALR because of the short program time, variety in clinical rotation sites (SVI, VA, Baptist, Saline, Bridgeway, Birchtree, State Hospital, UAMS), less pre-requisites, and because I am still able to work full time while attending. Your personal decision will need to take all of these things into account. What kind of degree do you want? What pre-reqs do you have? Do you work?

UAMS is a 2 year program and have about the same amount of pre-reqs as UCA or any other BSN program. Of course more pre reqs because you're getting your bachelors degree

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UAMS has the more specific pre-reqs like Development Psychology and Nutrition that other nursing programs don't tend to require prior to starting. It used to have a more difficult Chemistry requirement as well when I was evaluating school choices, but looks like they've dropped that to match other schools and only require Fundamentals of Chem w/ Lab.

Also, for anyone comparing schools, I've heard that Baptist now requires students to sign an agreement stating that they will not work during the program. So if you work, you should keep that in mind.

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Thanks again! I was actually looking into the second option so that I can get started sooner. I'm just scared I will have a hard time finding a job with just the ADN.

Don't worry about jobs. Most hospitals in the area are short of nurses. A few like Saline Memorial are so short they are currently advertising hiring bonuses for full time RN. Most people in my UALR class two years ago had jobs before graduation. St Vincent, Baptist, Saline Memorial, State Hospital, and a ton of others hire diploma and ADN nurses with no problem. In fact, Children's and Conway Regional are the only two I know of that will only hire BSN new grads. But both will hire you as an ADN after 1 year of experience. Some hospitals simply encourage the non BSN nurse to get a their BSN, others require you to get it within 3-5 years of hire.

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