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LPN to AASN

Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (A.A.S.N.)

College: College of Nursing and Health Professions

Department: Nursing

Description

The LPN-AASN option is designed to give licensed practical nurses the opportunity to advance their education and career by earning an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (AASN) degree. At the associate degree level, emphasis is placed on providing and managing direct care to individuals with common well-defined problems.

The associate degree graduate functions as a team member using nursing diagnoses and established protocols for individuals in acute care and community-based settings. Additionally, the graduate participates as a member of the profession in appropriate specialty and politically focused nursing organizations.

Curriculum

Curriculum and degree requirements can be found in the most current Undergraduate Bulletin.

Undergraduate Bulletin Reference
2024-25 Undergraduate Bulletin Click here.
2023-24 Undergraduate Bulletin Click here.
2022-23 Undergraduate Bulletin Click here.
Visit the bulletins page >>

  • Prerequisites

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

    • Cumulative GPA of 2.00 including all college credits
    • Completion of required courses

    Prerequisites include the following courses:

    • BIO 2203 AND 2201, Human Anatomy/Physiology I and Laboratory
    • BIO 2223 AND 2221, Human Anatomy/Physiology II and Laboratory
    • PSY 2013, Introduction to Psychology
    • ENG 1003, Composition I
    • MATH 1023, College Algebra (or MATH course that requires MATH 1023 as a prerequisite)
    • NRS 2392, Health Assessment
    • NRSP 2391, Health Assessment 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.
  • Admission Process

    Limited Positions Available

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


    How to Apply   

    To apply, just follow these simple steps:

    1. Apply for admission to A-State.
    2. Apply for admission to the LPN-AASN program. The application will be available on the School of Nursing website on April 30th.
    3. Take the required admission exam. Link is posted on the School of Nursing website (when available)
    4. Take Smarter Measure Assessment. The link, username and password will be provided after you have completed the application. You will only be allowed to take the assessment once per application session. This 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. Competencies measured are: reading rate and recall, technical competency, technical knowledge, typing speed and accuracy.
    5. Submit the following by the June 7th deadline:
    • Completed LPN-AASN application
    • Official (sealed) transcripts of ALL college work completed submitted to the Registrar's Office (PO Box 1570, State University, ARN 72467).
    • Documentation of prerequisite coursework currently enrolled in at time of application.
    • Letter of reference from the program director/chair of any previously attended, but not completed, nursing program (if applicable)
    • Validation of work experience (if applicable)
    • Documentation of English proficiency (if applicable)

    Deadline

    All application materials must be received by June 7th for the fall semester. 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.

    An unencumbered LPN license is to be maintained throughout the program.

    All documentation required by the School of Nursing must be kept current al all times during the course of the program.

    Questions?

    For questions or for more information, contact the campus you are applying to:

    ASU Mountain Home -Effective Spring 2023, program will no longer be offered on this campus.

    ASU Mid-South (West Memphis)
    Attention: Mary Trammell
    2000 W Broadway, West Memphis AR 72301
    (870) 733-6031

    A-State Jonesboro


    Rochelle Morris, Pre-Nursing Advisor: 
    870-972-3074.
    nursinginfo@AState.edu 

  • Work Experience

    Recent Graduates

    Applicants who complete their LPN program less than 12 months prior to application to the AASN program are not required to have work experience.

    Practicing LPNS

    If it is greater than 12 months since graduation, the applicant must provide proof of work experience reflecting a minimum of 1,000 hours of nursing employment during the past 12-24 months.

    Click here for employer documentation of work experience.

    For any questions concerning this information, applicants are encouraged to see a pre-nursing advisor (nursinginfo@AState.edu)

  • Licensure Information

    RN Licensure

    Upon completion on this program, the student 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) and also on the School of Nursing website.

  • Readmission Process

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

    Readmission Testing

    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

    The cost of the readmission test is $50.00 and will be the responsibility of the student

    Please email NRStesting@AState.edu with any questions.

    Program Application

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

  • Program Statistics

    AASN Pass Rates

    • 2021 - 68.6%
    • 2020 - 82.4%
    • 2019 - 91.4%
    • 2018 - 81.1%
    • 2017 - 81.9%

Questions

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

Jonesboro - Effective Spring 2023, program will be offered at this campus
Rochelle Morris, pre-nursing advisor
(870) 972-3074

For campus and application-specific questions contact the following:

West Memphis Campus
Mary Trammell
(870) 733-6031
 
*Mountain Home Campus - Effective Spring 2023, program is no longer offered at this campus
 

Affirmation

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.

Accredited by ACEN
The associate nursing program at Arkansas State University at the Jonesboro Campus located in State University, AR and ASU Mid-South Campus located in West Memphis, AR is accredited by the:
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30326, Telephone: (404) 975-5000, http://acenursing.org/.
The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the associate nursing program is continuing accreditation.
View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program on the ACEN website.
ACEN Logo
The AASN program is also approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing.