UA College of Nursing Application Workshop

Application Workshop

Entry to the Profession of Nursing

First School of Nursing in the State of Arizona, founded in 1957

Ranked in the top 6% of nursing programs nationally, by US News and World Report

A leading research institution, with robust faculty research integrated into the everyday learning Learn from internationally renowned scholars and researchers Faculty generated over $3.4 million in research awards 57% of faculty have a doctorate, 100% have advanced practice

licensure

Over $3 million annually in awards: scholarships, loans and grant funds

One of the best passage rates in Arizona on the NCLEX-RN (RN licensure exam) at 95%-98%

College of Nursing

Pre• Pre-Professional Nursing

(Pre-Major)

Entry

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

• Master’s Entry to the Profession of Nursing (MEPN)

Advanced

• RN to MSN - Clinical Systems Leadership

• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) • Post-Master/Doctoral Certificates

Degree Programs

RN

CSLNP

Academic Advising, Professional Staff Course scheduling, transitions support, career assistance,

application assistance, student organization advising, peer mentoring programs, programming and student events, campus referrals

Faculty Mentoring Advice from nursing professionals on: advancing in the

profession, professional organizations, preparing for professional work

Learning Support Services Full-time, Nursing Learning Support Specialist Kaplan partnership for NCLEX preparation

NCLEX type questions integrated into exams and assignments

Academic Support Services

Nursing Skills and Simulation Lab State of the art learning facilities 3 Complex Care Simulation Rooms (with Sims)

Health Assessment Lab (10 beds with Sims)

Universal Patient Care Lab (10 beds with Sims)

IV Skills Center (Sim arms/torsos and Virtual IV)

Steele Innovative Learning Center

7

Clinical Student to Faculty Ratio of 9 to 1 Graduates get over 1000 hours of clinical experience

Clinical Placements College finds placements for all students Partnerships with local Tucson hospitals

University of Arizona Medical Center Tucson Medical Center Veterans, Tucson Northwest Medical Center St. Joseph’s St. Mary’s

Partnerships with local community health agencies Service Learning Public Health Advocacy School Nursing, Hospice, Sexual Health Advocacy, Refugee

Groups

Clinical Work

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

Entry to the Profession Undergraduate 2-Year Professional Program Fall/Spring coursework In-residence in Tucson May start as Pre-Professional

at UA or apply directly to program as a Transfer Student Not required to be Pre-Professional in order to apply No preference given for UA vs. Transfer Transfer students who have prerequisites completed should

declare a back up major instead of Pre-Professional Nursing.

Master’s Entry to the Profession of Nursing

(MEPN)

Entry to the Profession Master’s of Science with an Emphasis in Nursing

degree (non-specialty) – not the same as an MSN. Coursework at the graduate level

Requires a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing area Courses are harder, more in-depth Require more reading/writing, critical thinking/analysis

Accelerated 15-Month Program Two Locations

Tucson (66 admit/year) Phoenix (24 admit/year)

Master’s Entry to Profession of Nursing (MEPN)

COMPARE

Nursing PrerequisitesEnglish Composition

(1-2){BSN ONLY}

General Biology (1){BSN ONLY}

Microbiology (1) Chemistry (2)Lecture and Lab

Lifespan Development (1) Nutrition (1)

Anatomy & Physiology (2)

Lecture and LabStatistics (1)

BSN and MEPN Admission Scores

10% Statement

20 % Interview

25% Cumulative GPA

(All College Coursework)

45% Prerequisite GPA

20%

Statement20 %

Interview

20% Recent GPA(Last 60 Units Coursework)

40% Prerequisite GPA

BSN MEPN

Calculating the GPA- Cumulative GPA (BSN Only): is based on every attempt of every

college level course you have ever taken. We honor the grade replacement policies of any institution where you take a course.

- Last 60 Units GPA (MEPN Only): is based on the grades earned in your most recent 60 units of college or graduate level coursework. To calculate this, start with your most recent coursework and count backwards 60 units; if 60 units is in the middle of a semester, include the entire semester in which you reached 60 units.

- Prerequisite GPA (both): is based on the best grade earned in each prerequisite course. Retaking a course in this area for a higher grade will replace the lower grade for this category, but know that unless the grade is officially replaced on your transcript, both grades will go into your Cumulative GPA calculation.

- Note: UA GPA is your graduation GPA. It is only based on courses taken at UA and does not use transfer course grades.

Averages of those admitted over the

last 3 years

*Note: MEPN will begin using the Last 60 Unit GPA in place of the Cumulative

GPA effective with the October 1, 2014

application. No data is available yet for admitted

GPA in the Last 60 Unit category.

BSN MEPN

Prerequisite GPA

(min 3.0)3.7

(3.5-4.0)3.5

(3.2-4.0)

Cumulative GPA

(min 3.0)3.5

(3.4-4.0)3.2

(3.1-4.0)

Number Admitted

each cohort

54(108 total per year)

90(total per

year)

Number of Applicants 450 250

BSN and MEPN Admission Averages

What can you as a student bring to the College of Nursing Community?– Why are you a good fit for the program?– 400 word statement

Important Topics to Cover:– Preparation for entering a nursing program– Professional aspirations, intellectual interests– Volunteering experiences, nursing professional experiences,

shadowing, etc– Your most notable awards and most meaningful activities or

achievements– How you became interested in nursing, significant intercultural

experiences or life circumstances (context)

– Keep it focused on academic preparation and ambitions

Statement – BSN & MEPN

Statement – MEPN Only Describe the traits and values you have that will lead to

successful completion of the MEPN Program. Address the rigors of the program, its time commitment and work obligation. How you will manage your time? 400 Word Statement

Important Topics to Cover: Personal stress management techniques Balancing personal and work Prior experiences with heavy workloads Prior experience with stressful situations

Keep it focused on academic preparedness and time management

Interviews Students who score in the top group of applicants

are invited to interviews Looking for:

Knowledge of Nursing Profession Personal Motivation Communication Skills Moral, Ethical, and Personal Decision Making Career Goals

This is where research, volunteering, leadership, and student organizations pay off – in knowledge of the profession

Faculty do not see your application prior to interview – they are blind interviews

Complete the University of Arizona Undergraduate Admissions application (if not a current UA Student) Online Application Send Official Transcripts for each institution attended Please make sure to select the correct term for admission. If not a Current UA Student, please make sure to fill out the correct application

(Transfer) and complete ALL of the Next Steps for Admission.

Complete online College of Nursing application Personal statement Disclosure questionnaire If a current UA student:

Make sure that the UA has the most recent transcript showing all completed or in progress coursework from any school other than the UA that you have attended. If you are not sure how to check this, contact your advisor.

Highest scoring candidates after initial review will be invited in for an interview. Phone or Skype options available if necessary.

Interview scores will be added to existing scores, and the highest scoring students will be offered admission.

Application Steps - BSN

Complete the University of Arizona Graduate College application Online Application Please make sure to select the correct term for admission. Separate application and process Upload an unofficial copies of transcripts for:

The school where you earned your bachelor’s degree Any school where you have prerequisites Any school where you have coursework within your last 60 units

Complete online College of Nursing application Grades in your Prerequisite courses – list the name of the course as it appears on

the transcript of the school where you took the course

Personal statement Disclosure questionnaire

Highest scoring candidates after initial review will be invited in for an interview. Phone or Skype options available if necessary.

Interview scores will be added to existing scores, and the highest scoring students will be offered admission.

Application Steps - MEPN

September 1 Begin coursework in the Spring term All courses must be completed at time of

application

February 1 Begin coursework in the Fall term Two prerequisites may be in progress

Application Deadlines - BSN

October 1 Begin coursework mid-May All prerequisite coursework must be complete at time of

application Must have a bachelors degree in a non-nursing area

completed at time of application

Must select a location option at application Tucson Phoenix Both, with a preference for Tucson Both, with a preference for Phoenix

Application Deadlines - MEPN

Questions

I took a course outside of the UA, how do I know if it counts?

1. Is the course the same number of credits as the one offered at the UA?

2. Does the course have the same title (Uses mostly the same words) as the one at the UA?

3. Does the course description use similar keywords to the one at the UA? If you answered yes to all three questions, then it has a

strong chance of meeting our requirement. However, we require everyone to submit the course for evaluation using the online form prior to application to ensure you meet the requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to submit transcripts for the photography class I took last summer at home?

Yes. Submit transcripts for all post-high school work.

Do I have to take courses within a certain number of years in order to be eligible for admission?

No, but we recommend doing some sort of refresher for science courses if it’s been a long time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will you evaluate my international /non-Arizona transcript?

No, we do not evaluate transcripts.

Prerequisite courses may be submitted for evaluation via the form on the website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Office of Student AffairsCollege of Nursing Room 112

[email protected]

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