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LPN to AASN (online) Admission Information

Beginning Fall 2017, the A-State School of Nursing is offering an online alternative for LPN's working in acute or long term care who wish to attain their Associate of Applied Science in Nursing.

All courses will be taught in seven-week terms. All didactic courses will be delivered online, with the clinical component in a more "traditional" environment. Clinical hours will be held on selected weekends throughout each term in Jonesboro area health care facilities.

Prerequisites

Prerequisite requirements for application to the ONLINE LPN to AASN degree program include:

  • Cumulative GPA of 2.50 including all college credits

Prerequisites include the following courses:

  • ENGL 10103 Composition I 
  • MATH 11003 College Algebra
  • BIOL 24003 and BIOL 24001 Human Anatomy & Physiology I and Laboratory
  • BIOL 24103 and BIOL 24101 Human Anatomy & Physiology II and Laboratory
  • PSYC 11003 Introduction to Psychology
  • NURS 22392 and NURS 22391 Health Assessment and Practicum
The required courses can be found in the most current Undergraduate Bulletin.
All required courses must be completed with a minimum "C" in each course.
ALL prerequisite courses MUST be completed prior to the first semester in the program.

Admission Process

Limited Positions Available

Acceptance to the University does not guarantee admission to any nursing program.

Admission Criteria:

  • Overall 2.5 GPA
  • LPN employment at an acute or long term care facility preferred.
  • Must hold unencumbered PN license.
  • An unencumbered LPN license is to be maintained throughout the program.

To apply, submit the following by deadline. 

  1. Apply for admission to A-State for Undergraduate Admissions (NOT A-State Online).
  2. Apply for admission to the LPN-AASN Online option. The application is available August 31 - October 15th (for Spring program), January 5 - March 1 (for Summer program) and March 15 - May 1 (for Fall program). Link to apply is on the School of Nursing website (when available)
  3. Official transcripts of ALL college work must be submitted to the Registrar’s office.
  4. Validation of work experience (The applicant must provide proof of work experience reflecting a minimum of 1,000 hours of nursing employment during the past 12-24 months. (Acute or long-term care experience desired, i.e., hospital or nursing home)

  5. Take the required SPANS admission exam.  SPANS is a comprehensive assessment designed to measure readiness for the academic demand of health science programs. The exam consists of 150 questions that evaluate critical skills in reading comprehension/English, math, and scientific knowledge. The exam is completed remotely and should be completed prior to the deadline. Estimated cost is about $70 and the exam can be completed one time during the application cycle. Exam results are valid for 3 years. For those interested, there is a prep book available online for purchase through SPIN Learning. Instructions for SPANS:

    1. Visit https://www.spin-learning.com/

    2. Click SPANS Registration button at top of webpage

    3. Select SPANS SPIN-Learning

    4. Click “Buy SPANS Ticket”

    5. Choose Preferred Date

    6. Checkout

  6. Complete the Smarter Measure Online Readiness Assessment: The online readiness tool helps indicate the degree to which distance learning and/or learning in a technology rich environment will be a good fit for the student.  This assessment requires students to answer questions and complete a few activities.  It takes about 35 minutes to complete and measures reading rate and recall, technical competency, technical knowledge, and typing speed and accuracy. There is no cost for the Smarter Measures Assessment and it can be completed one time during the application cycle.  Exam results are valid for 3 years.

     

                  Link to the assessment: Smarter Measures Assessment

                  Username: Online AASN   Password: Online1

     

  7. If you have previously attended a RN program and did not complete the program, you MUST submit a letter of good standing.  The letter must be sent from the previous RN program dean/director/chair/coordinator prior to the application deadline to the AASN Program Chair or designate.  The letter can be emailed to sdearing@astate.edu

  8. Documentation of English proficiency, if applicable.
  9. Spanish Proficiency:  Spanish proficiency is not required for application but may enhance the applicant’s overall score. Students must  prove their proficiency by taking the ACTFL – OPI (Oral Proficiency Interview).
  10. Professional Recommendations:  Students are required to have three academic or professional recommendations.  The Professional Recommendation link is located within the nursing application.
  11. If you have previously attended a RN nursing program you did not complete, you MUST have the program Dean/Director send a letter stating your standing when you left the program. This letter must be in the nursing office by the application deadline.
  12. Applications will be ranked for admission by prerequisite GPA, admission exam, Online Learning Readiness assessment, professional recommendations,  with special consideration for those with Spanish proficiency.
Deadline

All application materials must be received by the deadline. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. Applications are reviewed after the application deadline and preference is not given for early submission.  

Additional Documentation

Students admitted will be required to supply additional documentation, including current CPR certification, Hepatitis B   immunizations, TB skin test or chest x-ray, tetanus and MMR and proof of professional liability insurance (minimum $1,000,000/$6,000,000).

Based on recent legislation in Arkansas, students admitted to professional programs that lead to licensure upon graduation are required to have a successful background check to complete formal admission. 

For questions, please contact:

Samantha Dunavion, AASN Advisor - 870-972-3074

Tammy Daffron, Admin Spec III - 870-232-6021

Work Experience

The applicant must provide proof of work experience reflecting a minimum of 1,000 hours of nursing (LPN) employment during the past 12-24 months.  (Acute or long-term care experience desired, i.e., hospital or nursing home) Click here for Employer Documentation of work experience.

Licensure Information 

RN LICENSURE

Upon completion of this program, the student is eligible to apply for licensure as a Registered Nurse.

A first-time applicant for any license by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing will have a state and national criminal background check. Any offenses identified in section §17-87-312 of the Nurse Practice Act may prohibit a graduate from obtaining a license to practice as a Registered Nurse in the State of Arkansas.  Although an appeal may be possible there are offenses that permanently disqualify an applicant from licensure.

The Nurse Practice Act may be viewed on the Arkansas State Board of Nursing website (www.arsbn.org) 

Technology Requirements for Program

Readmission Process

For students seeking readmission to the LPN-AASN Nursing program:

Readmission Testing (required if separation is greater then 1 calendar year)

Students seeking readmission to the LPN-AASN nursing programs are required to pass a standardized test created from the objectives of the courses successfully completed in previous semesters.

Criteria for readmission to the undergraduate nursing programs includes:

  • Complete readmission packet;
  • Recommendation of faculty;
  • Passing score (75%) on the standardized assessment test(s) of courses previously passed;
  • Cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0; and
  • Space availability in the class

Please e-mail nrstesting@astate.edu for readmission applications and information on scheduling a testing date. 

The cost of the readmission test will be the responsibility of the student.

Program Application for Re-Admission

Program applications for transfer and readmission will be available (Fall) April 30th - June 7th, (Spring) August 31st - October 15th and (Summer) March 1st - May 1st 

Transfer Process

The LPN-AASN Online option does not accept transfer students. 

Questions

For general questions and program information, please contact the following:

Samantha Dunavion, AASN Advisor - (870) 972-3074
                                                                                                                                                                   

For specific questions related to the application process and registration for pre-requisites (Health Assessment and Health Assessment Practicum) please contact the following:                                                                                                                                          
Tammy Daffron, Admin Spec III - (870) 232-6021

The School of Nursing affirms that all students enrolled in the AASN program must possess those intellectual, ethical, physical and emotional capabilities required to undertake the full curriculum and to achieve the levels of competence required by the faculty for safe professional practice.  The criteria are included in the Nursing Student Handbook and are attached to the application for admission.

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