Bachelor of Science in Nursing - Options

 

Nursing students at work.

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Pre-licensure Option

Prospective Nursing Students

Nursing offers graduates a variety of professional choices. University of Arkansas graduates are prepared for hospital, school and community settings where they manage acute and chronic patient care and promote health and wellness. Nursing specialties include geriatrics, dialysis, oncology, emergency, hospice and many others.

Nursing requires strong emotional, intellectual and physical capabilities. Students who are admitted to the program are expected to possess the following abilities and skills:

  • Critical thinking, problem solving and the ability to generate hypotheses.
  • Strong psychomotor skills and a capacity to reason, analyze, synthesize and work independently of others.
  • Exceptional communication skills with patients and staff.
  • Exemplary social skills, a quick-thinking and empathetic nature, and the ability to maintain calm during emergency situations.

The Baccalaureate Graduate

The baccalaureate graduate as a member of the discipline uses knowledge from a research base to fulfill the roles of the nurse in contemporary society as a caregiver, manager, teacher and/or researcher. On entry into practice the graduate makes clinical judgments using critical thinking and other key nursing concepts to address healthcare needs in diverse settings. The baccalaureate nurse works singularly or in collaboration with other healthcare professionals in coordinating and promoting the health of a variety of clients.

Applications are accepted twice each year — Nov. 1 - Jan. 15 and May 1- July 15. Admission Requirements has details.

Career Opportunities for B.S.N. Graduates

Nursing offers graduates a wide variety of professional choices. University of Arkansas graduates are prepared for hospital, school and community settings where they manage acute and chronic patient care and promote health and wellness. Nursing professionals specialize in geriatrics, dialysis, oncology, emergency, hospice and many other areas of healthcare.

Program Learning Outcomes

The goal of the B.S.N. program is to prepare graduates to:

  1. Integrate evolving nursing knowledge and knowledge from other disciplines to make innovative and effective clinical decisions.
  2. Provide person-centered care that respects the unique background, dignity and worth of individuals.
  3. Assess and evaluate data related to the principles of population health to support safe, effective and accessible healthcare for individuals and communities.
  4. Synthesize evidence to inform nursing practice and contribute to the positive transformation of healthcare.
  5. Utilize improvement science to refine healthcare processes essential for the provision of high quality, safe and cost-effective patient care.
  6. Collaborate effectively and intentionally with other healthcare professionals and community stakeholders to provide optimized healthcare
  7. Steward resources and partnerships to provide safe and quality care to all people.
  8. Employ information and healthcare technologies appropriately to support patient care, communication and effective decision making.
  9. Exhibit collegial, accountable and emotionally intelligent behavior aligned with the American Nurses Association’s Code of Ethics and the Arkansas Nurse Practice Act.
  10. Demonstrate a commitment to personal wellness, lifelong learning and transformational leadership practice.

Three Degree Options with Licensure

  • The Pre-Licensure Traditional B.S.N. program is a full-time, on-campus program designed for students who want to fully engage in hands-on learning, face-to-face instruction and collaborative experiences at the heart of a vibrant university community.
  • The L.P.N. to B.S.N. online program provides the opportunity for a Licensed Practical Nurse with a certificate to earn a B.S.N.
  • The R.N. to B.S.N. online program provides the opportunity for a Registered Nurse with an associate's degree and diploma to earn a B.S.N.

Accreditation Review

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing at the University of Arkansas announces that the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) will conduct an accreditation review of the School's Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) program during a scheduled site visit on September 23-25, 2026.

In accordance with CCNE accreditation procedures, the School is providing notice that written third-party comments regarding the BSN program under review will be accepted by CCNE through September 2, 2026.

Third-party comments should be submitted directly to CCNE and should address the program's qualifications for accreditation. All comments must be received by CCNE no later than September 2, 2026.

Comments should be sent by email to:
thirdpartycomments@ccneaccreditation.org

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing appreciates the continued support and engagement of our faculty, students, alumni, clinical partners, and community stakeholders throughout the accreditation process.

Sincerely,

Carrie McDermott, Ph.D., RN, ACNS-BC, FAAN
Executive Director, Eleanor Mann School of Nursing
George M. and Boyce W. Billingsley Endowed Chair in Nursing
College of Education and Health Professions
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville AR