Nursing, B.S.N. (Traditional Track)

I applied to and was accepted to the university for a nursing degree – this means I’m in the nursing program, right?

No, being accepted to the University is separate from being accepted into the nursing program. When you are accepted to the University, you are considered a pre-nursing major. When you are in your last remaining nursing prerequisites (be sure to meet with your advisor if you are not sure), you will apply to the nursing program, which is a separate application from the University’s. The Nursing Division’s Admission & Progression Committee will review all program applications and offer selected applicants full admission into the nursing program. This is when you are in the nursing program.

You can find the nursing program application on the Traditional BSN webpage under “Program Application.” The deadline to submit your nursing program application, if you want to start taking nursing classes in the spring, is 11:59 p.m. on October 15. If you are planning on starting your nursing classes in the fall, the deadline to submit your application is 11:59 p.m. on April 1.

As part of the nursing program admission process, you will need two letters of recommendation. You can have former teachers, coaches, or advisors write these letters for you. You are even encouraged to ask your job supervisor for a letter.

The Nursing Admissions & Progressions committee is looking to see that you have a strong work ethic, are a team player, and are honest and ethical. These letters should be physically signed by the recommender and have contact information listed in case there are questions. The Admission & Progression Committee will ask you to come in for an interview. They’ll ask you a few questions so they can get to know you better. They won’t be asking any questions to trick you, but will be interested in your answers, so answer honestly. You will need to treat this as you would a job interview (so dress appropriately).

What kind of nursing programs do you offer?

A&M-Texarkan has two BSN degree tracks: a Traditional BSN program (for those who do not have a Registered Nursing (RN) license) and an ADN to BSN degree track (for those who have their associate’s degree in nursing and their active RN license). The Traditional BSN track is considered a four-year plan: two (2) years of general education and nursing prerequisite courses and two (2) years of actual nursing classes. (The time frame for the general education/nursing prerequisite completion could be different based on the courses you transfer into TAMUT.)

The ADN to BSN degree track can be completed in as little as a year by taking four (4) classes over two (2) semesters or in two (2) years by taking two (2) classes over four (4) semesters. (This isn’t an accelerated BSN track – students in this track must have an associate’s degree in nursing and a current RN license to enter and complete it.) Only students with an associate’s degree in nursing and an active RN license can apply for the ADN to BSN program.

Students who do not have an associate’s degree and an active license will be in the Traditional BSN program regardless of the number of college hours previously completed.

Do you require the TEAS test or the HESI A2 exam?

A&M-Texarkana Nursing Division requires the HESI A2 exam. The Nursing Division isn’t looking for any specific scores – the exam results are used as a tool to help find areas where you might be weak and to offer you support through tutoring or study tips. There are 11 sections for the exam- Math, Reading Comprehension, Biology, Anatomy & Physiology, just to name a few- in addition to the Learning Style and Personality Style sections. We require all 11 sections to be completed.

Will I be doing any hands-on learning?

YES! You will be using the Health Assessment Lab (set up as part doctor’s office, part ER triage area), the Skills Lab (set up like an ER triage area when you need additional practice), and the state-of-the-art Simulation Hospital (an 8-bed hospital floor complete with a labor & delivery suite, medication room, and nurses’ station).

Clinical hours for the Traditional BSN program are both on-campus in our state-ofthe-art labs and off-campus at the medical facilities in the area. These hours are completed during your class day and will be at sites based on the course and instructor. Clinical sites are usually within the Texarkana region.

For the ADN to BSN program, clinicals can be completed at the facility you are working at, but can’t be completed while you’re on the clock or in the department you work in (i.e., you can’t do any pediatric clinical hours if you work in Pediatrics). Your clinical hours must be completed in a different department.

What days/times are classes available? Can someone who is working full-time be able to complete this program while still working?

The Traditional BSN degree track is called a 4-year degree: two (2) years of general education and nursing prerequisite courses and two (2) years of actual nursing classes. The total length of the program might vary if you are transferring in dual credit or college courses. This will only affect the general education/nursing prerequisites portion of the degree plan – it will still take 2 years for the actual nursing courses.

For the Traditional BSN program, we understand that you may have to work. We do ask that, since the program is basically an 8a-5p, Monday-Friday schedule, students work either at night or on the weekends. This track does not offer evening classes. The ADN to BSN nursing program is online, so you can work during the day and attend class around your work schedule.