Ira D. Pruitt Division of Nursing | 4

1. Accumulate a 3.0 grade point average in required general education courses: English I (EH 101), Anatomy and Physiology (BY 231 or BY 232), Psychology (PY 100 or PY 310), and a fine art or humanity for the nursing curriculum.  For admission purposes, a student is allowed to repeat only one of these general education courses to earn a higher grade and improve the admission grade point average.

2. Make a minimum score of 75% on the HESI (Health Systems, Inc.) A2 (Admission Assessment).  The entrance exam can only be taken two times in one twelve-month period to achieve a passing score.

3. Submit a completed online Division of Nursing Application for Admission by the June 1st deadline.  Completed applications include:  Division of Nursing Application for Admission, University Application (Freshman OR Transfer), and official transcripts from all schools attended. Only completed applications will be considered for admission.  

*Applicants may be conditionally admitted pending receipt of fall grades.

All transfer students must meet the admission criteria of the nursing program.  Students may transfer credit from an accredited institution for general education course requirements for which a minimum grade of "C" was achieved.  Students may also transfer credit from another ACEN (Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing) accredited nursing program for nursing courses comparable to NS 101, NS 102, and NS 103 if such courses have been completed within twelve months prior to the date of application to the Ira D. Pruitt Division of Nursing.

Transfer students who have failed to successfully complete a nursing program or programs elsewhere will be placed into one of the following categories in term of admission status:

1. A student who has one failure in a nursing course at another institution with such failure occurring at least five years prior to application to the Division of Nursing will be required to apply as a new admission.  
2. A student who has failed to successfully complete a nursing program at another institution with such failure occurring within five years of application to the Division of Nursing will be considered for conditional admission.  The applicant must present a letter from the nursing program in which he/she was enrolled validating eligibility for readmission.  If the applicant is admitted to but fails to successfully complete the curriculum requirements of the Ira D. Pruitt Division of Nursing, he/she will be ineligible for readmission.
3. A student who has twice failed a nursing course prior to applying to the Ira D. Pruitt Division of Nursing will be ineligible for admission.

The Division of Nursing offers a Clinical Exemption Plan for Licensed Practical Nurses to qualified licensed practical nurses.  Further information about the Clinical Exemption Plan for Licensed Practical Nurses Policy is available in the Ira D. Pruitt Division of Nursing Student Handbook.

Admission into the Division of Nursing is highly competitive.  Meeting eligibility requirements does not guarantee admission into the nursing program.  Students will receive written notification of admission into the nursing program. 

The Division of Nursing is responsible for ensuring that students are in compliance with healthcare agencies' policies and regulatory requirements prior to clinical rotations.

Any course that includes a clinical experience has mandatory health requirements in order to decrease health risks to students, protect patients and other healthcare providers, and comply with healthcare agency contracts.

All nursing students must submit documentation to Med+Proctor system for the following mandatory health requirements:

1. Physical examination completed by healthcare provider.  (Download and print the physical examination form for nursing students on Med+Proctor).

2. Copy of current CPR card:  BLS/CPR Healthcare or BLS Provider (which includes CPR and AED).

3. Negative one-step Tuberculin skin test or chest x-ray required annually (less than one-year-old).

4. Immunizations: (Download and print immunization form for nursing students on Med+Proctor and have healthcare provider complete).
   A. MMR and Varicella immunizations or titers to verify immunity.
   B. Hepatitis B series vaccinations or signed waiver.
   C. Influenza vaccine (taken between the months of September and December of each year) required annually.
   D. Recommended vaccinations, if taken (Meningococcal, Polio, Hepatitis A, TDaP Booster, HPV, Meningococcal B).
5. Proof of health insurance.

In addition to the mandatory health requirements, nursing students are required to:

1. Purchase liability insurance at a cost of $25.00 (Payable to UWA Division of Nursing in January).
2. Complete drug screen and background check on campus at specified times (refer to policy in the Division of Nursing Student Handbook).

1. Achieve a minimum grade of "C" (80%) in each nursing course attempted.

2. Achieve a minimum grade of "C" in each general education course.

3. Achieve a clinical laboratory grade of "satisfactory" in each nursing course.

4. Achieve a minimum grade of 80% on the dosage critical administered in NS 103, NS 202, and NS 204.

5. Meet all requirements of the Division of Nursing and its clinical agencies as stated in the Ira D. Pruitt Division of Nursing Student Handbook.

Failure to meet any of the above admission and progression requirements will result in academic dismissal from the nursing program.  In addition to academic dismissal, the student's enrollment in the nursing program may be terminated at any time if, in the judgment of the nursing faculty, the student demonstrates behaviors inappropriate to nursing practice.  Students whose health status and/or clinical performance jeopardize the clients assigned to his/her care may also be dismissed from the nursing program.  The Division of Nursing reserves the right to require a student to submit to: (A) drug screening and/or other professional evaluation for chemical addiction*; (B) psychological testing and/or counseling; (C) physical examination by a licensed physician at the student's expense and to submit a report of the outcome to the Division of Nursing.  Results of such reports will be reviewed by the nursing faculty to determine the progression status of the student.  Progression in the nursing program may also be terminated if the student has falsified information submitted on the application for admission to the University and/or the Division of Nursing.  Dismissal for misconduct will be handled according to the Code of Student Conduct as outlined in the University of West Alabama Student Handbook, Tiger Paw, at http://tigerpaw.uwa.edu/ and the Progression Policy of the Division of Nursing.

*Guidelines established by the Alabama Board of Nursing and guidelines established in the chemical abuse policies of affiliating clinical agencies are utilized by faculty in determining probable cause for requiring professional evaluation for substance abuse.  Drug screening is required by health agencies prior to students participating in clinical experiences

1. Complete online Reinstatement Request Form on the UWA Nursing website.  The request must be received within sixty (60) days from the withdrawal/failure date.
2. Demonstrate a cumulative GPA of 2.5 in nursing and general education courses required for the Associate in Science in Nursing curriculum.

Reinstatement is dependent upon completion of requirements established by the faculty and availability of clinical space.  Student's application, record of performance, and other information submitted by the student will be reviewed to determine reinstatement.

Students who fail to meet the requirements of a nursing course   or withdraw from a nursing course with a course average below a "C" prior to the last semester of the curriculum, will be allowed one reinstatement.  Students who fail to meet the requirements of a nursing course or withdraw from a nursing course with a course average below a "C" during the last semester of the curriculum will be allowed one reinstatement regardless of prior dismissals.  Reinstatement may require repeating nursing courses to ensure that knowledge is current.  Reinstatement to the nursing program is not guaranteed.  Applicants for reinstatement will be considered if space is available following admission of all first-time applicants.

Students must abide by policies in effect at the time of reinstatement in the Student Handbook.

1. Failure to have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 in nursing and general education courses required for the Associate in Science in Nursing curriculum.

2. Failure to successfully complete the progression requirements of a nursing program at another institution prior to enrolling in the nursing program at UWA.

3. Failure to successfully demonstrate competency in previous nursing courses.

4. Patterns of behavior inappropriate to nursing practice; i.e. unsafe practice, consistent tardiness; difficulties in interpersonal relations with peers, faculty, patients or health agency staff; evidence of chemical abuse, falsification of applications for admission to the University and/or the Division of Nursing, conviction of a felony, or any other behaviors incongruent with professional nursing practice.

5. Lack of space available in the program.

Students must abide by all policies in effect at the time of reinstatement as stated in the Student Handbook.

1. Students who are not eligible for reinstatement or meet academic eligibility may apply for admission to the nursing program as a new student.

2. Students who were dismissed for academic reasons or withdrew for a period of more than one academic period must apply for readmission.

3. If accepted as a new student, the student must take all nursing courses.

4. If the student is accepted as a readmission, but fails to successfully complete the program after one attempt, the student will not be eligible for reinstatement at any time during the program, including the final semester. 

5. Readmission is not guaranteed.

Candidates for graduation must have met the progression requirements of the Division of Nursing as well as all University graduation requirements as outlined in the General Catalogue.  In addition, a minimum of one academic year in residence and completion of 28 semester hours of credit in nursing must be earned at UWA.