Program Description
The undergraduate program offers curriculum tracks to meet the individualized needs of students including: (1) a four-year, full-time traditional track which culminates with the awarding of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree (part-time options are available); (2) an accelerated, year-round second degree program which culminates with the awarding of the BSN degree; (3) an individualized track is available to students who hold a current unencumbered nursing license (registered nurses, licensed practical nurses) without a bachelor’s degree. An individualized degree completion plan is collaboratively designed with the student to culminate in the awarding of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree (full or part-time options are available).
The Carr College of Nursing Undergraduate Student Handbook contains a comprehensive description of all policies and procedures that apply to our students.
Curriculum Strands and Student Learning Outcomes
At the completion of the undergraduate program, the graduate will be prepared to:
| Curriculum Strand |
Competencies/Outcomes
|
|
Nursing Process
|
Use the nursing process effectively while intervening therapeutically with patients in various health states and developmental levels to restore, maintain, and promote health, and prevent illness.
|
| Research |
Apply research findings in the provision of nursing care to enhance the quality of care. |
| Critical Thinking |
Demonstrate use of the critical thinking process in making clinical judgments and decisions relevant to nursing problems in a variety of settings. |
| Communication |
Communicate and collaborate effectively with patients, peers and health team members to ensure quality patient nursing care, and to foster supportive personal and professional growth. |
| Leadership |
Function appropriately in leader and follower roles when providing safe, organized, and holistic nursing care, being a change agent, and serving as patient advocates. |
| Teaching/Learning |
Use principles of teaching/learning to provide patients in various health states with the knowledge and skills necessary for healthy living: physically, spiritually, psychologically, and socially. |
| Christian Principles |
Demonstrate commitment to Christian principles and professional ethics and standards of practice and is accountable for own nursing practice and professional growth. |
| Global Perspective |
Incorporate within a global perspective, cultural knowledge, a servant-leadership style, and principles of resource conservation and stewardship in the provision of nursing care. |
Admission to the Program
Unconditional admission to the undergraduate nursing program (traditional or second degree) requires a 2.8 or higher GPA in prenursing courses. For traditional students, junior standing is required and for second-degree students an earned undergraduate degree is required with program prerequisites. If a student’s prenursing GPA is 2.5-2.79 on a 4.0 scale, the applicant may or may not be considered for part-time admittance. Priority for admission is given to students with high prenursing GPA’s. To remain in the program, the student must maintain at least 2.5 GPA in nursing, including a grade of “C” or better in all nursing courses, and make satisfactory progress toward the degree.
The prenursing GPA will be calculated on the science and nursing courses: CHEM 1010/1010L , BIOL 2400/2400L or BIOL 3200/3200L , BIOL 2405/2405L or BIOL 3210/3210L , BIOL 2410/2410L or BIOL 3400/3400L , NURS 2030/2030L , NURS 3000 , and NURS 3630 . Admission GPA standards are:
- A student’s prenursing GPA equal to or higher than 2.8 earns admission consideration for unconditional admission. This allows each student to only have 4 credit hours of a “C”.
- A student’s prenursing GPA between 2.5 - 2.79 may or may not earn consideration for part-time conditional admission. The student who maintains a 3.0 in nursing courses after two part-time semesters may progress to a full-time track and unconditional admission to the program.
All science and nursing courses may only be attempted twice for consideration for unconditional admission. Additional considerations in the application process included, but are not limited to, science and prenursing faculty references and a student’s integrity, attitude, character, and work ethic. A standardized admission test measuring a student’s knowledge and understanding of prenursing content will be considered in the application process.
Admissions occur twice per year. Students who wish to enter the undergraduate nursing program must file an admission application with the Carr College of Nursing. Students who wish to enter the traditional track fall or spring must apply for admission to the Carr College of Nursing by the following dates: March 1 for fall and October 1 for spring. Students who wish to apply for the second degree track must complete an application on the NursingCAS website at www.nursingcas.org (applications due February 1 and May 1). Contact the director of admissions at (501) 279-4682 or e-mail nursing@harding.edu for further admission information and application forms. Second degree students are required to apply through a nursing centralized application system. No final action will be taken on an application until the student has been admitted to the University, all prerequisites have been met, and the application has been received. Official transcripts of all college credit granted elsewhere must be submitted to the registrar. Reference evaluations must be completed prior to being considered for admission. The Carr College of Nursing director of admissions and faculty advisers are available to serve in academic and career planning. Individual and group academic advising sessions are available each semester. Students are encouraged to use this assistance to plan schedules which fit individual learning needs and prevent costly scheduling mistakes.
International Students
If the applicant is not born in the United States or in a country where English is the official language, the applicant may document their English proficiency in one of two ways:
- An official TOEFL iBT composite score of at least 83 with a minimum speaking score requirement of 26 (out of 30 (90%)). The test must have been taken within the last calendar year of admission. Official TOEFL exam score report reflecting successful completion must be received no later than the nursing program application deadline date. The TOEFL iBT test can be taken in the Harding University Testing Office. The test will be an expense to the student. Please contact the Testing Office for details at 501-279-4415 or online at www.harding.edu/testing.
- If the applicant’s entire educational experience has been in the United States, the applicant is not required to take the TOEFL. To document this, the applicant must provide records/transcripts from the time that the applicant entered school in the first grade through junior high, high school, and college. If the applicant cannot provide this documentation, the applicant may appeal first to the Carr College of Nursing Admissions Committee, and then to the dean of the college.
Criminal Background Check Policy
The Arkansas State Board of Nursing (ASBN) requires that every nursing student in Arkansas be made aware of potential bars to being able to obtain nursing licensure. Some clinical agencies require the nursing student to undergo background checks prior to participating in clinical experiences in the agency. The Nurse Practice Act of the State of Arkansas details information regarding (1) the requirements that first-time applicants for nursing licensure in Arkansas undergo a state and national criminal background check; and (2) criminal offenses which can potentially disqualify an applicant from taking the licensure exam and/or receiving a professional nursing license. Graduating from a nursing program does not assure the student of ASBN’s approval to take the NCLEX-RN® licensure exam.
Health Documents
The student must submit health documents electronically indicating health status, completion of current immunizations including Varicella (chicken pox), Hepatitis A and B vaccinations, tuberculosis skin test (PPD/intradermal) or chest X-ray, influenza vaccination, and other laboratory results as indicated by the Carr College of Nursing, prior to participating in clinical activities of the nursing program. Current certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is required. Health and disability insurance coverage are strongly recommended. Effective Fall 2019, all upper level Nursing students are required to provide current health insurance documentation. Insurance must be maintained throughout the duration of the program.
Transfer of Credit
Students wanting to receive approval for prerequisite courses taken during the summer at other institutions must receive approval through the Registrar’s office. A syllabus with a course description may be required to approve each requested course. Students may contact the director of admissions in the Carr College of Nursing for more information at nursing@harding.edu.
Honors
Nursing majors interested in honors courses are to apply through the Honors College office. Nursing courses that can be taken for Honors credit are NURS 1000 , NURS 3510 , NURS 4200 , NURS 3540 , NURS 3630 , NURS 4120 , NURS 3450 , and all Level II nursing courses; this selection of courses constitutes a full upper-division nursing honors program in collaboration with the Honors College . Students unconditionally admitted to the Carr College of Nursing who maintain a 3.25 overall grade point average may graduate as an Honors College graduate by earning a minimum of 20 hours of honors credit completing at least four honors contracts and any courses designated as (H) sections or HNRS courses. Nursing majors who wish to graduate at the highest level, Honors College Graduate with Distinction, should contact the Honors College about requirements.
Nursing Fees and Incidental Expenses
In addition to general fees, Harding administers special fees for NURS 1000 , NURS 2030/2030L , NURS 2100 , NURS 3000 , NURS 3150 , NURS 3210 , NURS 3440 , NURS 3500 , NURS 3510 , NURS 4200 , NURS 3620L , NURS 4130 , NURS 3550 , NURS 3450 , NURS 4530 , NURS 4540 , NURS 4550 , and NURS 4620 .
Beyond fees administered by the University, nursing majors incur personal incidental expenses for which students are personally responsible. These include selected clinical expenses, health-related expenses, NCLEX-RN licensure application fees, health insurance, uniforms, equipment and transportation expenses. The table below lists approximate expenses.
| Year |
Item |
Amount |
| Prenursing |
Uniforms, Lab coat, Name Badge, Insignia |
$230.00 |
| Gas for car ($11/trip x 5 trips) |
$55.00 |
| Equipment (watch with second hand, blood pressure cuff, bandage scissors, tuning fork, reflex hammer, near vision card, penlight) |
$155.00 |
| Stethoscope (price varies depending on type) |
$75.00 - 150.00 |
| Laptop Computer |
$500.00 |
| Level I |
Gas for car ($25/trip x 42 trips/semester) |
$1,050.00 |
| Level II |
Research poster, etc. |
$100.00 |
| Senior licensure expenses (licensure application, fees and expenses) |
$450.00 |
| Gas for car ($25/trip x 42 trips/semester) |
$1050.00 |
Costs listed are approximate and subject to change. Computer requirement: Effective Fall 2015, all students involved in the nursing degree program must have ready access to a laptop computer and designated software. Specific computer and software requirements are posted on the Harding University Carr College of Nursing website. (Courses that require the student to regularly bring a laptop to class include all nursing courses numbered 3000 and above.) Each student must carry nursing liability insurance, which is included in course fees. Students are responsible for their own transportation to all health facilities where learning experiences are provided. Each student must have access to a car during the entire nursing program for individual clinical experiences.
These costs are above the usual University fees and tuition charges which are found here .
Note(s):
Suggested Prenursing curriculum sequence .
Special considerations:
*These courses also serve as prerequisites to the nursing program and must be passed with a “C” or higher prior to admission to the Level I nursing courses.
****MATH 1110 must be passed with a “B” or higher prior to admission to the Level I nursing courses.
Many prenursing students take courses during the summer to lighten the regular semester course load. Students should see the director of admissions for information about summer courses. All non-nursing course transfer credit is approved through the registrar’s office; prior approval is required.
**Elect two courses in the Global Perspectives menu of the Liberal Arts Program . Students considering international mission work could take a foreign language to fulfill the Global Perspectives requirement.
NURS 4130 counts as a Bible or Global Perspectives requirement, but not both. Students are strongly encouraged to take NURS 4130 if they are planning to participate in an international health care mission trip. NURS 3440 and NURS 4510 may be required for those doing international mission work. ***NURS 4130 does not count as a textual Bible course. BDOC 3040 is strongly recommended for the nursing degree.
NURS 3210 and NURS 3620 are to be taken the first semester following admission. NURS 3540 is to be taken the second semester after admission. NURS 4120 is planned for the first semester of Level II but may be taken the second semester of Level I with dean’s approval. NURS 4620 is taken the semester of graduation.
