Nurses Guide 2013

NURSES gUidE 2013

An Advertising Supplement to the

NOW HIRING EXPERIENCED NURSES at Arkansas Children’s Hospital

Are you an experienced nurse interested in caring for children but aren’t sure where to begin? We offer individualized orientation for positions in a variety of settings, age groups and diagnoses. Let us help you get started on a new professional journey in pediatric nursing that promises to be challenging, yet rewarding and fun!

JOIN OUR TEAM AS AN EXPERIENCED NURSE IN THE FOLLOWING DEPARTMENTS: • • • • • •

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Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Hematology/Oncology 4C Medical Surgery

Call ACH Nurse Recruitment at 501-364-1398 to discuss your options.

Apply online at archildrens.org/dreamjobs. | Healing is in our nature.®

A Career in Nursing can A Career in Nursing can be a Career for Life be a Career for Life

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Advertising Supplement to Arkansas Times – Nurses Guide 2013 3

Meet the Recruiters

Schools

Baptist Health Schools Little Rock

Recruiters at colleges and universities guide prospective students to help them achieve

Jenn McDannold Enrollment Coordinator

success while attending school and also to have that success translate to the job market. Recruiters for some of the most popular nursing programs in the state tell what they offer and more.

Arkansas Tech University

University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Osmonetta McR aeBeard Director of Recruitment

Megan W yllia, Eli Fuentez, Andrea Cooper, Courtney Pr att Recruiters

At Arkansas Tech, we believe nursing is a caring relationship that facilitates health and healing.

College recruitment starts early. My mission as the recruiter is to serve as the primary point of contact and to provide educational presentations at various events around Arkansas and the surrounding areas. My purpose is to assist prospective students with the admissions process and make them better prepared and more competitive when it is time to apply to UAMS CON. If anyone is interested please feel free to contact us at 501.686.5224 or by email at conadmissions@uams.edu.

Eleanor Mann School of Nursing, University of Arkansas Kathleen Barta, Ed.D. - Graduate Coordinator, Kelly Vowell Johnson, MSN - Undergraduate Coordinator, Holly VanWinkle, MSN - RN-BSN Coordinator

The University of Arkansas prepares people for meaningful and challenging careers in nursing where they can make a difference every day. We help you give patient-centered care, lead at the bedside and on interdisciplinary teams, search for the best way to give care to keep patients safe and improve their quality of life, and find satisfaction as a professional nurse.

Graduates of the baccalaureate program are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN exam for licensure as registered nurses. The online RN-BSN program provides career advancement for currently licensed registered nurses. Our online graduate programs offer BSN-prepared nurses an opportunity to become nurse educators or advanced practice nurses (adult/geriatric acute care NP or CNS). Post-MSN APNs can also complete their DNP program online with only 34-39 credits.

Arkansas State University

Healthcare professionals in today’s world must be well-rounded individuals with a commitment to personal and professional excellence. The ideal healthcare professional has strong critical thinking skills and enjoys continued learning and growth. The individual has a personal belief in citizenship and makes healthy, responsible decisions about their lifestyle.

Ultimately, being a healthcare professional is about caring for people, sometimes on their worst day. The ideal healthcare professional finds self worth and joy in caring for others and making a positive impact in a patient’s life.

UALR Department of Nursing john vickers Academic Counselor

Nursing is one of those rare career fields that is as much ART, as it is SCIENCE. For more than 40 years the UALR Department of Nursing has educated and guided aspiring nurses towards this noble profession. We offer an ASN, BSN, LPN-to-RN fast-track, and BSN completion program. My advice for students is to take ownership and get as much information as possible about the nursing profession and each nursing school before making your decision. Do this early and often! For more information about the UALR Department of Nursing or to schedule an advising appointment, visit ualr.edu/nursing or email jmvickers@ualr.edu.

Southern Arkansas University Department of Nursing

University of Central Arkansas jenafer Wr ay Pre-Nursing Advisor

Arkansas State University School of Nursing is committed to quality nursing. ASU offers four levels of nursing education.

The AASN program is offered at the ASU Beebe, ASU Mountain Home and Mid-South Community College campuses and the LPN-to-AASN is offered at the three campuses plus the Jonesboro campus. A traditional BSN and second degree accelerated BSN as well as LPN-to-BSN are offered at the Jonesboro campus. An RN-to-BSN program is offered online.

A Master of Science in Nursing degree is available with an emphasis in clinical nurse specialist, family nurse practitioner, nurse anesthesia, nurse educator or nurse administrator.

Starting January 2014 ASU will offer the Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. All programs are nationally accredited.

ASU is looking for students with a passion for helping others.

For more information, contact Jenafer Wray at the School of Nursing, 870-972-3074 or jwray@astate.edu.

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Pam Gouner, PhD-C, RN - Interim RN-BSN Program Director - Stephanie Seymour, MNSc, RN - Interim BSN Program Director , Laura Shirey, MSN, RN, CNE - ADN Program Director Ann Mattison (BSA progr am), Rose Schlosser (MSN & RN progr am) Education Counselors, Department of Nursing

We are here to guide you as you seek admission to the nursing program and throughout your educational experience at UCA. We are committed to each of our students and to their success.

Your UCA nursing instructors walk beside you during your education, serving as role models and facilitating your learning.

We seek students who are motivated, intelligent, caring, energetic, and able to work well with others. More information on our programs can be found at www.uca.edu/nursing or contact us at annm@uca.edu or rschlosser@uca.edu.

The university offers four tracks of nursing: Associate of Applied Science degree, LPN-to-RN AAS degree, Bachelor of Science degree, and an online RN-BSN completion degree.

All programs are fully accredited by the ACEN and are ASBN approved. We are committed to providing quality nursing education and invite you to visit us online at www.saumag. edu/nursing or come tour our beautiful campus in Magnolia, Arkansas. We are here to assist you from the application process to graduation and the NCLEX-RN. You may contact us at (870) 235-4331 to schedule an appointment.

Meet the Recruiters

Hospitals

Nurse recruiters for hospitals sometimes have a difficult task of matching the right

person with the right job. Recruiters at some of the state’s largest hospitals tell what they look for in a candidate, what they offer and also what makes their programs stand out among others.

Baptist Health Medical Center

University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Susan erickson, RN, MNSc, BC-NA, CHCR

April Robinson HR Recruiter

Nurse Recruiter and Recruitment/Retention Officer 2013 NAHCR Distinguished Member

Our belief at Baptist Health is that we are a healing ministry.

We provide quality patient care services to all Arkansans with a caring and comforting heart. That is why we are Arkansans’ choice for their healthcare needs. We have a variety of nursing opportunities, from a Level III NICU to 90-bed Critical Care area. Baptist Health offers top quality benefits for employees. We look for nurses who not only think critically but are compassionate and service-oriented.

We want to offer a “World Class” environment for everyone.

To view job opportunities, log on to: baptist-health.com.

Arkansas Children’s Hospital

2013 Distinguished Alumna - UAMS College of Nursing

There is a circle of excellence that surrounds everyone who works at UAMS. It starts with respect and ends with excellence and it’s what we expect from those who chose a career at Arkansas’s only academic medical center. We offer unique opportunities combined with salary and benefits plus the personal satisfaction you receive working at UAMS – it’s hard to beat. That’s why more than 10,000 employees enjoy a career for life. To join our team, log on to: uams.edu/jobs.

In recent issues we started asking what made nurses decide to enter the field. Because of its popularity, we brought the feature back again this year. We talked to several nurses to find out what made them decide to spend their lives caring for others.

Look for their stories throughout the issue in the specially marked “Why I Became a Nurse” boxes.

Practice Plus Shannon Miller HR Recruiter

ec a Why I B At Practice Plus our values consist of Service, Honesty, Respect, Stewardship, and Performance. It is very important to me as I am hiring new employees that they not only have the needed skills to assist and take care of our patients, but that they have a servant’s heart to empathize and give the absolute BEST service available.

Denise Cook - Nurse Recruiter, Yvonne Pendergraft - Nurse Recruiter, Michelle Odom - Director of Nurse Recruitment & Retention, Mitch Highfill - Nurse Recruiter, Anna-Kate Bogaards - Nurse Recruitment Specialist

As Arkansas’s only pediatric health care center and one of the largest children’s hospitals in the country, we offer a wide range of opportunities for nurses from direct patient care to staff education, research and evidence based practice, administration, nursing information and much more. When you walk through the main entrance, you see a statement: “Fear not illness… this place of Care, Love and Hope is for you.”

This statement reflects our culture and guides our practice each and every day that we enter the hall.

When considering potential employees, we look for individuals who have a true passion for providing care, love and hope in the profession of pediatric nursing.

Conway Regional Medical Center mel anie crnic Professional Recruiter

me A

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d urt ure an n one to n e e b to ys d a I’ve alw ays wan te care. I alw d uld n a o c rt I t fo co m I though icine, and as d e e c m n e to ri in e go timate exp in e th on f o ts e patien ge t more there for th g in e to B e . e m n a nurs has draw one level more than r. the caree ealt h Bap tis t H vert , R N, K ris ta C o l C en ter icathe Medof The publishers 2013 Nurses Guide issue

would like to thank Osmonetta McRae-Beard, At Conway Regional we strive to create a culture centered on our values daily.

If our core values of integrity, compassion, accountability, respect and excellence align with your own, we want you to be a part of our team. Join the iCare team of nurses at Conway Regional as we work together to provide highquality, compassionate health care services to North Central Arkansas. Find our openings online at conwayregional.org or call 501.513.5410 to arrange a tour.

Melanie Crnic, Susan Erickson, Michelle Odom, Walter Petty, Kimberly Porter, April Robinson and Norlyn Waller for their help (and ideas!) in creating the editorial content for this year's issue.

Advertising Supplement to Arkansas Times – Nurses Guide 2013 5

The Future Landmark report driving major changes in the profession

of Nursing T

he coming years will be ones of tremendous change for the nursing profession. Three years ago, an organization called the Institute of Medicine issued a major report called “The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health.” The report called for sweeping changes in how nurses are educated and what roles they are prepared to and allowed to play in reforming and improving health care. Its four main messages are: • Nurses should practice to the full extent of their education and training.

• Nurses should achieve higher levels of education and training through an improved education system that promotes seamless academic progression.

• Nurses should be full partners, with physicians and other health care professionals, in redesigning health care in the United States.

• Effective workforce planning and policy making require better data collection and information infrastructure.

“One of the coolest things to me about what the Institute of Medicine recognized is that nursing, as the largest segment of the health care workforce, should be full partners in decision making because we have an important contribution to make,” said Tammy Jones, associate chief nursing officer at the UAMS Medical Center.

“Nurses have a bird’s-eye view of what is really going on with bedside care. The IOM was smart in recognizing that there are lots of people with the potential to contribute to making things better.”

The challenge, she added, is figuring out how to translate that recognition into real change.

That’s where the Arkansas Action Coalition comes in. Along with the report, the IOM developed an action plan that included steps for Congress, state legislatures, hospitals, universities and

other stakeholders. In Arkansas, the Action Coalition is spearheading efforts to make the IOM’s recommendations a reality.

One of the main recommendations of the report is that the nursing workforce should be more educated across the board.

Specifically, it called for 80 percent of nurses to have Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degrees by the year 2020, and for the number of nurses with doctoral degrees to double in that same amount of time.

“The IOM is saying if we’ve got all these people with all this knowledge, and they’re not educated to contribute at the highest level, we’ve got a problem,” Jones said.

“With so many nurses on the front lines of care, we want them to be positioned to reach their full potential both clinically and in leading the way in health care reform.” The IOM also recommended strengthening the curriculum in nursing education, Jones said – making sure nurses learn about health policy, informatics, financial metrics and other topics not thought to be directly related to bedside patient care.

“Twenty years ago, that was unheard of,” she said.

To be full partners as the IOM recommends, nurses need to be able to problem-solve and think outside the box, Jones said. “We have to balance our focus on quality patient care with looking at how to provide that care more efficiently.

Higher education and training — that’s how you gain that skill set.”

The 80 percent BSN rate is a lofty goal, Jones acknowledged. UAMS’ nursing staff currently is in line with the national average at 50 percent, and 57 percent of Arkansas Children’s Hospital’s nursing staff have BSNs. Statewide, though, only about 28 percent of nurses have a bachelor’s degree.

With nurses in such high demand nationwide, it’s not realistic to simply start requiring new registered nurses to have a BSN, Jones said. Arkansas still has a number of associate degree and diploma programs that prepare RNs, and those programs currently have a place in nursing

6 Advertising Supplement to Arkansas Times – Nurses Guide 2013

education even as the trend toward requiring BSNs grows.

“What we want to do is not have them stop there,” said Dr. Cheryl Schmidt, associate professor at UAMS’ College of Nursing and one of three co-leaders of the Arkansas Action Coalition. Arkansas’s colleges and universities already offer programs that allow nurses to advance one educational level at a time — from licensed practical nurse to an associate degree, for example — but those programs need to be designed so that nurses can progress seamlessly all the way through a bachelor’s degree, she said.

“If you have an LPN to associate degree program, they will stop there,” Schmidt said.

UAMS has streamlined its education program so nurses can more easily move through bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees, Jones said. UALR recently reorganized its nursing education into what’s called a ladder program, said Brenda Womack, interim chair of the school’s nursing department. It’s structured so that students first earn an associate degree, but then can progress straight into a 12-month BSN completion track.

Baptist Health School of Nursing, one of only two diploma nursing programs left in the state, is also making changes in line with the push for more education, said Stacy Palmer, a member of the school’s faculty. The school already partners with Arkansas Tech University to provide a bridge program that makes it easier for Baptist’s diploma graduates to go back to school and earn a BSN. Plans are in the works for Baptist to transition from a diploma program to an associate degree program, Palmer said. They’ve set a target date of fall 2014 for the first associate degree class to start.

“Diploma programs are fading out,” Palmer said. “Our ultimate goal is to offer the best education to our students.”

Nationwide, the number of RNs who have returned to school to get a BSN has skyrocketed — from about 35,000 in 2004 to more than 100,000 in 2012, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.

A large part of increasing the number of BSN-prepared nurses is supporting working nurses when they return to school, said Dr. Debra Jeffs, director of academic nursing education at Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH) and a co-leader of the Arkansas Action Coalition’s education workgroup. One of the ways ACH has increased its BSN nurses is by providing individual advisement to nurses about returning to school, Jeffs said. They work to find the best program match for the nurse in terms of his or her career goals and life circumstances.

Money, of course, is also an issue, Schmidt said.

“If you’ve got a single-parent LPN with three kids, where do they get the money to go back to school?” she asked. There are scholarships and loans, and many employers provide tuition discounts or reimbursements, but many nurses still need to keep working while they go back to school. It adds up to a sizable burden.

“You need to eat and sleep, too,” she said.

Still, raising the number of BSNprepared nurses at a hospital has a very real effect, Jeffs said. ACH raised its BSN rate by 10 percentage points in three years,

Why I Became A

Nurse

I’ve always been one to nurture and comfort and care. I always wanted to go into medicine, and I thought I could get more of the intimate experience as a nurse. Being there for the patients on more than one level has drawn me to the career.

Krista Covert, RN, Baptist Health Medical Center

Practice Plus the PhysiciAN resOurce cOmPANy

Results, Resources, Relationships

PrActice PLus is a great place to work... in fact, it’s the employer of choice in our region. We are driven by our Christian values, and known for our professionalism she said, and a recent study showed that an increase of that size in a hospital results in fewer complications for surgical patients and a lower surgical mortality rate.

“We’re thrilled that we have this increase,” she said.

Leadership development is another major focus of the Future of Nursing report.

It recommends expanding opportunities for nurses to lead collaborative improvement efforts and building capacity for nurses to lead change to advance health.

The Arkansas Action Coalition is working on a number of projects related to leadership development, said Dr. Angela Green, interim chief nursing officer and senior vice president for patient care services at ACH and co-leader of the coalition’s leadership development arm.

Among others, the coalition is seeking funding for a summer leadership extern program for nursing students, developing strategies to increase Arkansas nurses’ participation in national leadership development programs, and working to increase opportunities for nurses to fill board of directors positions in health care or health care related organizations.

“I am very excited about the work of the Arkansas Action Coalition, as it provides an opportunity to systematically and strategically maximize the impact of nursing on health and health care in Arkansas,” Green said.

Another thrust of the IOM report is that nurses should be allowed to practice to the full extent of their education and training.

In that vein, the Arkansas Action Coalition has been working to remove restrictions on nurse practitioners. Current state law allows nurse practitioners to provide some forms of routine care to patients — including prescribing many medications — but requires them to “collaborate” with a physician. Many states have already gotten

rid of that restriction, Schmidt said, but so far efforts to change the law in Arkansas — most recently, last spring — have failed in the state legislature.

Nationwide, the number of RNs who have returned to school to get a BSN has skyrocketed — from about 35,000 in 2004 to more than 100,000 in 2012.

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Removing the requirement would allow nurse practitioners to better serve patients in rural areas that might not have any local physicians to collaborate with, Schmidt said. Such areas already have severe shortages of primary care providers, and nurse practitioners have the training and education to provide routine primary care, she said.

Schmidt said she’s hopeful that younger physicians, who’ve come up in an era when nurses had more responsibility and autonomy, won’t be as territorial as some of their older colleagues.

“I think the next generation of physicians is going to be very different,” she said. “They’ve grown up in an interprofessional environment.”

There are signs of change, she said. For instance, pharmacists are now allowed to give flu shots and take customers’ blood pressure — a change from long-established rules. Allowing non-physicians to provide such important but routine care frees up the limited number of primary care doctors to handle more complex patients.

“It’s usually a turf issue,” Schmidt said.

“But they really should look at what’s good for the patient.”

oriented “let me serve you” attitude, we are interested in talking with you.

LPN Openings: • Baptist Health Family Clinic: Lakewood, North Little Rock; Pleasant Valley, Little Rock; West Little Rock • Baptist Health - Pulmonology Clinic: North Little Rock • Arkadelphia Medical Clinic • Benton Family Clinic • Part-time LPN (3 days/week): Little Rock

APN Openings:

• Baptist Health Family Clinic: North Little Rock, Arkadelphia, Sheridan • Greenbrier Family Clinic

To Apply Go To: www.practice-plus.com Advertising Supplement to Arkansas Times – Nurses Guide 2013 7

One career, many possibilities From bedside to boardroom, nurses fill a host of roles

W

hen you picture a nurse in your mind, what do you see? Someone giving medicine to a person in a hospital bed, or handing a scalpel to a surgeon in the operating room? Maybe someone taking a child’s temperature in a doctor’s office?

Those are all accurate pictures, of course—but they’re only a very small part of it. Today, the nursing profession encompasses an enormous range of jobs, specialties and education levels. As April Robinson, who hires nurses for the Baptist Health system, put it: “‘Nursing’ is just a starting point to go to whatever you want to do.”

Most nurses do start out providing bedside care to patients in hospitals or nursing homes. Once they’ve laid that foundation of basic experience, though, they can move into any number of specialty areas of care, or out of direct patient care completely. Nurses can work for insurance companies, law firms, school districts or other community organizations. They can work in hospital administration, or earn an advanced practice degree and become a nurse practitioner or nurse anesthetist.

They can spend their careers doing research, teaching other nurses, working with information systems, or, as Jamie Peacock does, evaluating the quality of care other nurses provide to patients at the hospital where she works.

“I check all the quality measures that

apply to nursing,” said Peacock, who became a nurse 20 years ago after a career in teaching. As director of quality programs for nursing at UAMS, She monitors data and conducts evaluation, and oversees patient education and complaints. “It’s a multifaceted job,” she said. “I work with some really smart people.”

The wide-open nature of the profession is very appealing to Matt Burgess, a recent graduate of UALR’s associate degree in nursing program. He currently works at Baptist Health Extended Care Hospital, where he cares for patients with complicated, long-term health problems.

“I like my job now, but in three or five years I can do something totally different,” he said. “I could work with babies or do mental health. There are a lot of clinical areas I’d be interested in working in.”

Robinson said she encourages nursing students to try to get jobs as aides in areas they think they might want to work in when they get their nursing license.

It allows them to test the waters before committing to a full-time job, she said, and it also makes them more marketable when they begin the job search.

“With a new graduate, if you have experience as an aide in a certain area, that will help you get a job in that area faster,” she said. “They’re familiar with that atmosphere and we know they already thrived in it.”

Kara Christensen, a specialty nurse in

Whether looking to attend school for two years or four,

Degrees of Nursing

part-time or full, Arkansas’s

ASSOCIATE DEGREE

colleges and universities have a number of programs that will get you on the path to a nursing career.

Associate degree programs, offered by two-year and four-year colleges and universities, must meet the requirements of a regional accreditation association and be approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing. At the completion of the program, the student is awarded an associate of science (AS) or associate of science in nursing (ASN) degree.

The graduate is then eligible to take the National Council of State Boards of Nursing Licensure Examination (NCLEX) to become a registered nurse.

8 Advertising Supplement to Arkansas Times – Nurses Guide 2013

the neurology department at ACH, took a similar route to her job. She’d always wanted to work at ACH and got a job as a patient care aide while she was in nursing school. By the time she graduated, she was working as an aide in the neurology clinic, and simply transitioned to a nursing position there. She provides inpatient and outpatient care, including talking to patients’ families on the phone about their children’s symptoms and conditions.

“We still draw blood and other basic stuff, but it’s more about finding out what the families need and getting it for them.”

Sara Jones, a clinical assistant professor at the UAMS College of Nursing and the specialty coordinator for the college’s mental health nurse practitioner program, earned a PhD in nursing. That degree taught her how to conduct research within the health care arena from the special perspective of nursing.

“It’s a very holistic approach,” she said.

“We look at the mental, emotional, physical and family contexts, the culture.”

Jones began working as a research assistant while she was studying for her bachelor’s degree in nursing, with plans to specialize in psychiatric nursing. One day she sat in on a court hearing at the State Hospital and listened to psychiatric patients testify for themselves in court. She decided then that what she really wanted to do was investigate why those patients do what they do. Now, in addition to

BACCAL AURE ATE DEGREE

Baccalaureate programs must be approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing and are usually offered by four-year colleges or universities. Students typically take four to five years to complete the degree requirements. At the completion of the program, the student is awarded the bachelor of science (BS) or bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree. He or she is then eligible to take the NCLEX to become a registered nurse (RN).

MASTER’S DEGREE

Master’s degree programs are offered by fouryear colleges and universities for students who have completed at least a bachelor’s degree. These advanced degrees prepare

teaching at UAMS, she does research with victims and perpetrators of sexual abuse, mostly adolescent males. Her research touches on possible connections between brain structure and behavior, as well as what kind of assessments and treatments work best. She’s also earned an advanced practice degree in mental health and eventually wants to work providing psychiatric services to the homeless.

Lori Cline, another member of the faculty at UAMS’s College of Nursing, also spends one morning a week working as a group therapist at the Community Mental Health Center in Little Rock. The clinic’s other group therapists are all psychiatrists, social workers or licensed counselors. Cline has a master’s degree in psychiatric nursing, and she said she believes her nursing background brings something unique to the table.

“I can talk to these patients about their medications, where a social worker might not know that much about medications,” she said. “I talk a lot about mind/body wellness, exercise and nutrition. I can bring a whole-body focus to the group.”

“‘Nursing’ is just a starting point to go to whatever you want to do.”

nurses to take on a variety of specialized roles, including nurse practitioner, nurse educator, and clinical nurse specialist.

DOC TOR AL DEGREE

The doctoral degree is the highest educational degree available in nursing. Some programs require students to complete a master’s degree first, while others are designed for students who have completed only a bachelor’s degree. There are two main options for doctoral degrees. The PhD, or doctor of philosophy, focuses on preparing nurses to work in researchbased fields. The doctor of nursing practice, or DNP, is a clinical degree that focuses on nursing practice.

s g o u

From teaching to palliative care and everything in between, a nursing degree opens the door for many job opportunities.

Why I Became A

Nurse

As I was growing up, for several years of my life I was raised by my grandmother. I saw how she nursed her parents. I knew right then I wanted to give something back to society. I wanted to be a nurse.

Many of her patients also have physical health issues, like high blood pressure and diabetes. Because she’s a nurse, she can answer questions about those issues too.

Velisa Charles, a student in UALR’s online RN-to-BSN program, started her career as a certified nursing assistant working in a nursing home. As she completed more education, she stayed in long-term care at first, and then moved to an RN position as a medical/surgical nurse — providing general patient care in a hospital — and now works in oncology, caring for patients who are fighting cancer.

“Most of their prognoses are pretty grim, but sometimes you get a patient in there that we’re able to do more with, and that makes the job worth it,” she said. Still, she said she misses long-term care.

“I’ve always liked working with the elderly,” she said. “They have so much to offer. They’ve lived so much, and the stories they tell… They’ve done their job, and now it’s time for someone to take care of them.”

Lori Hendrix, a mother of two who’s making a career change to nursing, is working on her associate degree at UALR. The wide variety of job possibilities is one of the most appealing aspects of nursing, she said.

“There are so many opportunities once you graduate,” she said. “There are so many fields you can go into. I’m getting a great foundation at UALR and I’m ready to explore what all’s out there.”

NURSING LICENSE LEVELS licensed Pr ac tical nurse

Both private and public two-year and four-year institutions offer practical nurse programs, which generally take 12 months to complete. Upon completion, the student receives a certificate and is eligible to take the NCLEX licensing exam and become a licensed practical nurse (LPN). LPNs typically work in long-term care, home health and doctor’s offices, although some hospitals employ LPNs as well.

Carla Chapman, RN, Baptist Health Medical Center

It all started with my grandmother.

She was the mother of 12 and the grandmother of many, many more. Her compassion, warmth, determination, and eagerness to help others were palpable as I grew up watching her.

She would help anyone regardless of race, creed, or social status. Those virtues spilled over onto me. I became a nurse because I love making a difference in the lives of my patients and their families. Helping people gives me a feeling of self-fulfillment, as it is my God-given talent. This is why I am currently working on a master of science in nursing degree.

My long term goal is to have an even more in-depth understanding of the human body and play a more active role in promoting and maintaining optimal health.

Shakeylla S. Allen, RN, UAMS neurological ICU

Registered nursE

Both two-year and four-year colleges and universities offer registered nurse programs that are divided into two categories: an associate’s degree and a baccalaureate degree. There are also diploma programs that prepare students to become registered nurses without earning an associate’s or baccalaureate degree. Before going to work, the graduate is required to pass a licensing examination.

collaboration with a physician. APNs must pass an advanced licensing exam and may work as nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, clinical nurse specialists or other specialty areas.

My first days of being a “real nurse” were spent questioning my decision to become that nurse. The overwhelming feeling of how will I ever instinctively KNOW what to do, when to do it and how to do it? That thought tends to linger for a few days. Then, you start to have rewarding experiences… relieving a patient’s pain, calming fears, drying tears, or saving a life.

Before you know it, you’ve moved on and accomplished something you never thought you could just a short time ago.

Now that I know I can be successful in my attempts to better others, I am more eager than ever to continue my career as a practicing nurse. I know I made the right decision.

Julia Weatherford, RN, UAMS emergency department

ADVANCED PRACTICE NURSE

Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs) have at least a master’s degree in a specialized area of nursing practice.

They may practice independently or in Advertising Supplement to Arkansas Times – Nurses Guide 2013 9

Why I Became A

Nurse

I was just 19. I grew up in a neighborhood where there were a lot of older people. I was the one who would always ride my bike to the store when Ms. Smith needed something. I also had a lot of friends and family who were nurses and were inspirational.

Velisa Charles, RN, student in UALR RN-to-BSN program

I became interested in nursing while volunteering as a liaison in a Kuwaiti maternity hospital. When I returned to the United States, I decided to leave teaching and pursue a degree in nursing. What other profession has so many avenues to grow in knowledge while serving others? You cannot become bored because there is always much more to learn.

Jamie Peacock, MSN, RN, director of quality programs for nursing, UAMS

I’ve wanted to be a nurse since I was 8 or 9 years old. I just remember watching my aunt — she was nurse, and I looked up to her a lot — and knew I wanted to help people. Nursing is my passion, and for anybody who has that heart for helping people, it’s a great job. There’s not very many days that I leave here that I don’t feel good about what I do.

Sarah Duck, BSN, RN, labor and delivery, Conway Regional Medical Center

I grew up in McCrory, which has less than 2,000 people. We had one physician with a nurse practitioner who worked with him. She had been on the transport team for Children’s and I thought it was the coolest thing I’d ever heard. I knew from early on, about age 12, that I wanted to be a nurse. That same year, my brother had a stomach virus that turned out to be rotavirus and he came to Children’ s for three days. It was such a big deal.

I knew I wanted to work at Arkansas Children’s Hospital. I never had any doubt.

Kara Christensen, RN, Arkansas Children’s Hospital, neurology

Jeff Carmack, director of the simulation lab at UALR, can watch students “take care” of “patients” in a hospital-like setting.

Expanding with the times

A

s the nursing profession grows and evolves, Arkansas’s nursing education programs grow and evolve with it.

One of the most recent examples is the new 22-bed simulation hospital at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. It occupies the bottom floor of the nursing department’s new $6.5 million building.

High-tech simulation is becoming a more and more important part of nursing education, said Brenda Womack, interim chair of UALR’s nursing department.

Simulation mannequins can be programmed to act out just about any health issue instructors can dream up, and they have another key advantage: “In a real hospital, if a student is doing something wrong, clearly you have to stop that,” she said. “In simulation you can go ahead and let them mess up, and they can see the consequences.”

UALR’s simulation area is set up like a real — if small — hospital. It includes labor and delivery, pediatrics, general medical/ surgical, and complex care areas. Most of the simulations involve mannequins, but paid actors are sometimes brought in for mental health-related scenarios and to help students learn “soft skills” like

10 Advertising Supplement to Arkansas Times – Nurses Guide 2013

Nursing programs grow to fit the needs of Arkansans

communication and empathy. Instructors sit in a control room and watch students take care of the “patients,” and then discuss with them later what went right or wrong.

“What this facility has brought to our students is a real increase in fidelity and realism,” said Jeff Carmack, a nursing faculty member and director of the simulation lab. Part of that is the highfidelity simulation mannequins and the true-to-life medical delivery system, but it’s also in the realistic design of the space.

“We really went out of our way to make sure students saw a hospital room when they walked in,” Carmack said.

The new nursing department building also includes two theater-style classrooms that hold 95 students each, and all classrooms are equipped with smartboards and other modern technology, Womack said. The nursing department is planning to host an open house Oct. 27.

“It is a state-of-the-art facility,” Womack said. “We’re hoping to really showcase it.”

The University of Central Arkansas is also working with Conway Regional Medical Center to create the Center for Collaborative Healthcare Education, a planned state-of-the-art building that both

institutions will use for nursing education activities.

“It’s something the department of nursing started exploring a few years ago,” said Dr. Pam Ashcraft, assistant nursing professor at UCA. “Our focus was really trying to find a way to help bridge the gap between education and practice — between being a nursing student and actually being a nurse.”

Many UCA nursing students already do some of their hands-on clinical education at Conway Regional, Ashcraft said. This partnership would go further.

“It would be a shared building that would house our nursing department and our student classrooms, but Conway Regional would also have facilities there, like nursing outreach or continuing education,” she said.

Having a shared space will give UCA nursing students more chances to interact with Conway Regional staff and for the two institutions to share resources, Ashcraft said.

“It would be a good opportunity to work together,” she said.

Bringing research into the real world Doctor of Nursing Practice degree focuses on improving patient care

A

s the nursing profession in general moves toward encouraging all nurses to pursue further education, more and more nursing schools are offering a new degree called the doctor of nursing practice, or DNP. In Arkansas, two schools — the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences — admitted the first students to their new DNP programs this fall.

Arkansas State University is planning to start its first class in January, and the University of Central Arkansas will be launching a DNP program in 2014 as well.

The doctor of nursing practice degree is at the same level as a PhD, but has a very different focus. While PhD programs focus on research, the DNP focuses on the practice of nursing itself — much like physical therapists’ and physicians’ degrees.

Courses address topics such as health policy, finance, quality of nursing, leadership and translating research into clinical practice.

“The DNP allows the graduate to implement research findings into practice,” said Dr. Donna Gullette, associate dean for practice and director of Master of Nursing Science programs at the UAMS College of Nursing. “The DNP graduate is a leader.

They’re educated to impact change in the health care arena.”

There’s a huge movement toward DNP programs nationwide, said Julie Meaux, professor of nursing and director of the DNP program at UCA. “The thought is that, particularly, advanced practice nurses are underdegreed — that the level of their education and responsibility exceeds a master’s degree,” Meaux said.

Initially, the four Arkansas schools had been talking about working together to create a single DNP program in the state, Meaux said.

“After several years we realized with the number of students out there, it was not feasible to do that,” she said. “If we were going to serve our communities of interest, it was better for us each to offer a program.”

Each of the four programs is slightly different in its focus and entry requirements. Three of the four require a master’s degree, but the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville is offering a BSNto-DNP track as well.

At UAMS, the 19 students who started the DNP program this fall are advanced practice nurses (APNs), meaning they have a master’s degree and have passed an

advanced practice licensing exam. There’s a high demand among APNs in Arkansas who want to get a DNP degree, Gullette said.

That demand is being driven, in part, by the Institute of Medicine’s Future of Nursing report, which recommended doubling the number of nurses with doctoral degrees nationwide. The goal, Gullette said, is to ensure that nurses are practicing to the fullest potential of their education and abilities.

improvements,” she said.

Advanced practice nurses already know the issues that face the particular patient population they work with, Gullette said. The DNP degree will give them the skills to go back to their area of practice and implement change and quality improvements to help those patients. Too often, she said, valuable research findings don’t make the move from paper to practice in a timely fashion — if at all.

“We really need someone who can say,

“Nurses are in an ideal position because they interface with specialists across the system,” Full-time students at UAMS will be able to complete the DNP program in about two-anda-half years, Gullette said. That includes 34 to 36 credit hours of coursework plus a capstone project.

The complexity of modern health care requires an additional skill set for advanced practice nurses, said Dr. Kathleen Barta, associate professor of nursing at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.

“We need to equip them to examine outcomes for groups of patients and systems to identify areas needing

‘This is what’s been studied over here, and this is how it can apply in practice,’” Gullette said.

The DNP degree will also position nurses to lead interprofessional health care teams and not only deliver care, but to evaluate it as well, Barta said.

“Nurses are in an ideal position because they interface with specialists across the system,” she said. “They merge the patient’s response to inputs from all team members and help provide a holistic view of what happens.

They help broker conversations between the patient, family and team.”

Advertising Supplement to Arkansas Times – Nurses Guide 2013 11

Years/Public Private

Calendar

Degree Offered

Arkansas State University - Jonesboro · 870-972-3074 (nursing) · 870-972-3024 (admissions)

4 yr public

Semester

AASN, BSN, MSN

varies

Arkansas Tech University, Russellville · 479-968-0383

4 yr public

Semester

BSN, LPN to BSN, RN to BSN, MSN, RN to MSN

BSN-4yrs, RN to BSN-1yr, MSN2yrs

Harding University, Searcy · 1-800-477-4407, 501-279-4682

4 yr private

Semester

BSN, RN-BSN, LPN-BSN

BSN 4 yrs

Henderson State University, Arkadelphia · 870-230-5015

4 yr public

Semester

BSN

4 yrs

Southern Arkansas University, Magnolia · 870-235-4040

4 yr public

Semester

BSN, Online RN-BSN Completion and ADN

4 yrs BSN 2yrs/ADN, 2-4 yrs online RN-BSN Completion program

University of Arkanasas, Fayetteville · 479-575-3904

4 yr public

Semester

BSN, RN-BSN, LPN-BSN, MSN (online program)

4 yrs***

UALR, Department of Nursing, Little Rock · 501-569-8081

4 yr public

Semester

BSN, RN-BSN Completion

7 semester BSN, 3 semester RN to BSN Completion

University of Central Arkansas, Conway · 501-450-3119

4 yr public

Semester

BSN, MSN***

4 yrs/BSN, MSN varies, PMC varies

University of Arkansas - Fort Smith · 479-788-7861, 1-888-512-LION

4 yr public

Semester

BSN

4 yrs for BSN/Varies for RN-BSN

University of Arkansas at Monticello · 870-460-1069

4 yr public

Semester

AASN (LPN-RN), BSN, RN-BSN, LPN-BSN

1 to 4 yrs

University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Nursing, Little Rock · 501-686-5224

4 yr public

Semester

BSN, MNSc, Ph.D, DNP. Post Masters options available

BSN generic: 2 yrs+1 summer/ RN to BSN: 1 yr full time/ MNSC& Ph.D:students have up to 6 yrs to complete degree requirements

Arkansas Northeastern College, Blytheville · 870-824-6253 · Paragould · 870-239-3200 · Burdette · 870-563-5110

2 yr public

Semester

AAS

2 year

Arkansas State University - Jonesboro · 870-972-3074 (nursing) · 870-972-3024 (admissions)

4 yr public

Semester

Traditional LPN-AASN (Traditional AASN offered at ASU Mountain Home, ASU Beebe, West Memphis)

varies

Arkansas Tech University - Ozark Campus, Ozark · 479-667-2117

public

Semester

AASN

varies

East Arkansas Community College, Forrest City · 870-633-4480

2 yr public

Semester

AASN

2 yrs

National Park Community College, Hot Springs · 501-760-4290

2 yr public

Semester

AS in Nursing

2 yrs

Mississippi County Community College, Blytheville · 870-762-1020

2 yr public

Semester

AAS in Nursing

2 yrs

North Arkansas College, Harrison · 870-743-3000

2 yr public

Semester

AAS in Nursing-traditional. LPN, LPN-RN

RN-2 yr; LPN-RN-1yr; PN-1yr

Northwest Arkansas Community College, Bentonville · 479-636-9222, 800-995-6922

2 yr public

Semester

AAS, RN

4 semesters

Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas, Helena, Dewitt, Stuttgart · Helena 870-3386474 x1254; DeWitt 1-870-946-3506 x1611; Stuttgart 1-870-673-4201 x1809

2 yr public

Semester

AAS, technical certificate/PN

AAS 72 credit hrs, PN 54 credit hrs

Southeast Arkansas College, Pine Bluff · 870-543-5917

2 yr public

Semester

AAS: RN, Generic RN & LPN/Paramedic to RN. Technical Certificate: PN

PN-1 yr, Generic RN-5 Semesters

University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville · 870-612-2000, 800-508-7878

2 yr public

Semester

AAS-Generic RN and LPN to RN-traditional and online tracks, PN 11 mos, Generic RN program is Program (Technical Certificate) Generic RN Program 16 mos.

University of Arkansas Community College at Hope · 870-777-5722

2 yr public

Semester

Associate/RN

12 months (excludes prerequisites)

UALR, Department of Nursing, Little Rock · 501-569-8081

4 yr public

Semester

ASN/LPN to RN/BSN

4 semesters

Baptist Health Schools Little Rock · 501-202-6200, 800-345-3046

private, faith-based

Semester

diploma/LPN, diploma/RN

RN traditonal track 3yrs. RN express track 2yrs. LPN 1yr. RN Accelerated 1yr (LPNs or Paramedics).

Jefferson Reg. Med. Center School of Nursing, Pine Bluff · 870-541-7850

private

24 months

diploma/RN

2 years core courses

Arkansas Tech University - Ozark Campus, Ozark · 479-667-2117

public

Semester

AAS in Allied Health-Practical Nursing

3 semesters

Baptist Health Schools Little Rock · 501-202-6200, 800-345-3046

private

Semester

diploma/LPN, diploma/RN

2 semester LPN

Black River Technical College, Pocahontas · 870-248-4000

2 yr public

Semester

AAS/RN, Certificate/PN, Certificate of Proficiency/Nursing Assistant

AAS/RN 3 semesters, Certificate/PN 3semesters, Certificate of Proficiency/ Nursing Assistant 4 weeks.

Cossatot Community College of the UA, De Queen, Nashville · 870-584-4471, 800-844-4471

2 yr public

Semester

LPN

De Queen 11 mos Day Program, Nashville 18 mos evening program

Arkansas Northeastern College Blytheville · 870-824-6253 · Paragould · 870-239-3200 · Burdette · 870-563-5110

public

Semester

Certificate of Practical Nursing

13 months

ASU Technical Center, Jonesboro · 870-932-2176

public

Semester

LPN

11 mos

Arkansas State University - Beebe · ASU Searcy Campus 501-207-6214

public

Semester

Certificate LPN

11 mos

Arkansas State University - Mountain Home · 870-508-6266

public

Semester

AAS-LPN/Paramedic to RN, certificate/PN, CNA

11-22 mos

Arkansas State University - Newport · 870-680-8710

public

Semester

Technical Certificate in Practical Nursing

1 yr

Northwest Technical Institute, Springdale · 479-751-8824

public

Semester

diploma/PN

3 sem. & 1 Summer session (includes Pre-Reqs)

College of the Ouachitas, Malvern · 800-337-0266 ext 1200

2 yr public

Semester

Associate of Applied Science in Nursing, Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Medication Administration - Certified (MA-C), Technical Certificate in Practical Nursing

1-3 semesters

Crowley's Ridge Technical Institute · Forrest City · 870-633-5411

public

Semester

LPN, CNA

LPN: 40 wks, CNA: 12 wks

Ozarka College, Melbourne · 870-368-7371

2 yr public

Semester

LPN, LPN-RN

11-18 mos

University of Arkansas Comm. College at Morrilton · 501-354-2465

2 public

Semester

LPN-certificates AAS-LPN, RN

3 semesters - 2yr

Pulaski Technical College, North Little Rock · 501-812-2200

2 yr public

Semester

Technical Certificate in Practical Nursing/PN

11-month traditional track/22month non-traditional track

National Park Community College, Hot Springs · 501-760-4160

Public

Semester

Certificates in Practical Nursing

13 mos FT

Rich Mountain Community College, Mena · 479-394-7622

2 yr public

Semester

certificate/PN, LPN, CAN, RN

11-12 mos

SAU Tech, Camden · 870-574-4500

2 yr public

Semester

Technical Certificate

11 mos

South Arkansas Community College, El Dorado · 870-864-7142, 870-864-7137

2 yr public

Semester

ADN,LPN

11 mos

University of Arkansas Community College at Hope · 870-777-5722

2 yr public

Semester

certificate/PN

10.5 months (excludes prerequisites)

University of Arkansas - Fort Smith · 479-788-7861, 1-888-512-LION

4 yr public

Semester

Technical Certificate

12 mos

University of Arkansas at Monticello College of Technology, Crossett • 870-364-6414

2 yr public

Semester

Technical Certificate in Practical Nursing

11 mos

Arkansas College/University

Dollars & sense Paying for your nursing education There’s no way around it — nursing school isn’t cheap. Fortunately, there are a number of financial aid programs that can help you cover your costs while keeping debt to a minimum.

One of the first places to look is at the school itself. Arkansas’s colleges and universities have a number of scholarships, some of which are specifically for nursing students. One such program is the Pat and Willard Walker scholarships at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. The scholarships provide aid for four semesters to help cover the cost of tuition.

One of the recipients of that scholarship is Lori Hendrix, 36, who’s pursing an associate degree in nursing. “I’m really thankful for that scholarship,” she said.

At Arkansas Tech University, about 15 to 20 nursing students each semester benefit from scholarships that come directly through the nursing department, said Dr. Rebecca Burris, the department chair.

There are also statewide scholarships available to students who are pursuing a bachelor’s degree and haven’t already earned a four-year degree in another area.

Many hospitals in Arkansas also offer some tuition reimbursement for employees who go back to school. “That’s getting more and more common because a lot of the acute care organizations are looking to encourage nurses to go back to school and continue their education,” said Velisa Charles, a student in the online RNto-BSN program at UALR. The nationwide nursing shortage has also prompted the federal and state governments to develop loan/scholarship programs that help pay student nurses’ tuition in exchange for a commitment to work a certain number of years in an area with a critical nurse shortage.

Sara Jones, who is pursuing a Ph.D. at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, said she’s been able to pay for her entire graduate education with a combination of stipends from UAMS and loans from the Arkansas Graduate Nursing Education Student Loan and Scholarship Program. This program aims to increase the number of advanced practice nurses, clinical nurse specialists and nurse educators in the state.

One of the keys to maximizing your financial aid options is getting an early start, said Becky Parnell, interim chair of the nursing department at Southern Arkansas University (SAU) in Magnolia. Many scholarship programs have application deadlines that are much earlier than the start of the school year, and it can take a while to gather all the necessary information.

“Start searching now,” she said. “Funds are available through private scholarships and most schools have great financial aid counselors.” SAU financial aid staff will work closely with each student to maximize their financial aid, she said.

Length Of Program

BACCALAUREATE

ASSOCIATE DEGREE

DIPLOMA

PRACTICAL NURSING

*** for Basic nursing education; Varies with previous coursework or nursing license; MSN program = 2 yrs

12 Advertising Supplement to Arkansas Times – Nurses Guide 2013

To compile this, forms were sent to every qualified college and university with instructions

gram

BSN-1yr, MSN-

N, 2-4 yrs online n program

Living Arrangements

Aid Deadline

Scholarship Deadline

Required Exams

Application Deadline

Comments/Home Page Address

on campus housing

July 1st

February 15th

ACT or SAT or COMPASS or ASSET

varies

Nursing programs are accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission. astate.edu

on campus housing

varies

varies

BSN-ACT or COMPASS, RN to BSNNone, MSN-GRE

March 1st and October 1st, other programs vary

RN to BSN can be completed in as little as 1 year. Excellent Faculty. atu.edu/nursing

on campus housing

June 1st

Rolling

ACT or SAT

Rolling/$50

Quality nursing education with a focus on Christian service and professionalism. harding.edu

on campus housing

June

varies

ACT, SAT, COMPASS

Feb 15th

The school with a heart. Small classes. CCNE Accredited. hsu.edu/nursing

on campus housing

July 1st

Priority March 15, Final August

ACT, ADN HESI Admission

September 30 for LPN to RN Transition or February 28 for Summer 2014 LPN to RN Transition

SAUM has an LPN to RN track for current LPNs or Vocational Nurses. saumag.edu/nursing

on campus housing

March 15th

November 15th

SAT, ACT (none for MSN)

Jan 15th for Fall admission; June 15th for Nursing is a dynamic career, meeting the health care needs of society. http://nurs.uark.edu/ The online Master of Science degree in nursing offers a Spring (none for MSN) choice of two concentrations: Clinical Nurse Specialist in Adult Health and Nurse Educator.

ASN/SAT for students with less than Rolling 12 credits.

3 semester RN to

on/off campus housing April 1st

December 1st

aries, PMC varies

on campus housing

July 1st

January 8th

see website

varies by program, see website for dates

uca.edu/nursing

ies for RN-BSN

on campus housing

Priority March 15th

February 1st

ACT/COMPASS

Oct 1st for Spring/ March 1st for Fall

RN-BSN is an Online Completion Program. uafs.edu/health/programs

on campus housing

contact financial aid (870) 460-1050

March 1st

none

March 1st

Achieve your nursing goals with us. uamont.edu/Nursing/academicprograms.htm

on campus housing

varies, visit nursing.uams. edu. Click on scholarships

varies, visit nursing.uams. TOEFL for int'l students, MNSc-MAT BSN generic: March 1st/ RN to BSN: edu click on scholarships or GRE, PhD-GRE, ATI TEAS V for BSN March 1st & Sept. 1st/ MNSC: Sept. 1st applicants. & April 1st/ PhD: March 2

nursing.uams.edu

commuter campus

Priority April 15

Priority March 15

COMPASS or ACT and PAXRN

RN- March 31, PN- March 31

ANC offers the RN, LPN, and LPN to RN programs of study anc.edu

on campus housing Jonesboro

July 1st

February 15th

ACT, SAT, COMPASS, or ASSET

varies

The mission of the School of Nursing is to educate and enrich students for evolving professoinal nursing practice. astate.edu

commuter campus

Priority April 15

varies

STEP

March 15th, October 1st

atu.edu/ozark

commuter campus

April 15th

varies

ACT, ASSET / Nursing Pre-entrance exams, COMPASS

varies

Allied health program offering RN-Nursing degree (basic students, LPN completion). eacc.edu

commuter campus

open

open

ACT, SAT or COMPASS, TEAS

Last Monday in March

Options for LPN and new High School graduates. npcc.edu

commuter campus

Priority April 15 - Rolling

Priority April 15

PAX-RN

March 31st

mccc.cc.ar.us

commuter campus

Pell Grant June 30

June 15th

ACT, COMPASS

varies with program

Northark’s students receive excellent healthcare education leading to rewarding careers in nursing. northark.edu/academics/nursing

commuter campus

June 1st and November 1st

April 1st

ACT or COMPASS TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills)

First Monday in March and First Monday in November

The college of the NWA community, member of Northwest Arkansas Nursing Education Consortium. nwacc.edu/academics/nursing

, PN 54 credit hrs

commuter campus

none

none

none for admission

RN June 1st, PN June 1st or Oct 1st

RN Program, ACEN accredited. pccua.edu

N-5 Semesters

commuter campus

open

none

ACT, COMPASS, PAX for PN,KAPLAN Admission Exam

Second Friday in March

Changing lives…one student at a time! seark.edu

RN program is

commuter campus

varies

March 1- High school Academic; July 15- Others; Nursing Scholarship- Dec. 1

ASSET, ACT, SAT or COMPASS**, KAPLAN Nurse Entrance Test

PN May 1 - LPN to RN July15 - Generic RN entry deadline is May 1st

UACCB's nursing programs are among the top programs in the state. uaccb.edu

des prerequisites)

commuter campus

none

August 31st

arnec.org, uacch.edu

s+1 summer/ RN ime/ MNSC& ve up to 6 yrs to requirements

1yr; PN-1yr

BSN completion for current RNs or recent graduates of an accredited nursing program. UALR students can Ladder into the online BSN and graduate within 4 years. ualr.edu/nursing

none

ASSET, ACT or COMPASS

on/off campus housing April 1st

December 1st

ACT, SAT, Evolve A2 nursing entrance Priority Application Deadline Feb 28/ exam.

Applications accepted until class full

LPN/Paramedic to RN (1 year). Traditional ASN (2 years). Accelerated ASN (18 months). See above for BSN information. ualr.edu/nursing

commuter campus

March 1st priority

varies

ACT

3yr-July1, 2yr-June 1, PN-Dec 1 or June 1, RNA- Dec 1

bhslr.edu

commuter campus

none

none

ACT

Applications accepted until classes filled. $35 fee

jrmc.org/schoolofnursing

commuter campus

Priority April 15

varies

TEAS

March 15th, October 1st

Clinical experience in hospitals of varying size, physicians' offices and geriatric facilities. atu.edu/ozark

commuter campus

Priority March 1st

varies

ACT or SAT, NET

Dec 1st & June 15th

bhslr.edu

ers, Certificate/PN cate of Proficiency/ 4 weeks.

commuter campus

contact financial aid office

April 15th

ACT or ASSET

1st day of class

BRTC: A college of vision. BRTC has a 95% plus boards pass rate. blackrivertech.org

Day Program, evening program

commuter campus

varies

June 15th

COMPASS, NET

Day Program-De Queen March 1st, Evening Prerequisites required prior to admission. cccua.edu Program-Nashville August 31st

commuter campus

Priority April 15th

Priority April 15th

COMPASS or ACT and PAX-PN

March 31st

Variety of clinical experiences. anc.edu

commuter campus

none

none

ASSET, NET

June 1 & November 1

Combines classroom instruction with clinical experience. Graduates eligible to take NCLEX.

commuter campus

varies

June 1st

ACT/COMPASS and Questionnaire

Call for further information

Application packet and program requirements are online. asub.edu

commuter campus

varies

varies

ACT, COMPASS, TEAS

Fall-April 30, Spring-Oct 15

Application packet and program requirements online. asumh.edu

commuter campus

contact financial aid

varies

COMPASS, TEAS

August class- June 1, January class- Oct 15 Application packet and program requirements online. asun.edu

commuter campus

July 1/Fall, December 1/ Spring

June 1/Fall, December 1/Spring

NET, COMPASS

November 1st

Bilingual scholarships available- nwansged.org

commuter campus

open

Fall-May1, Spring-Dec 1

COMPASS for CNA and MA-C; Nursing Entrance Exam for nursing program

RN: First & Second Friday in February / September. PN: First & Second Friday in October / June. CNA & MA-C only in Fall

coto.edu/main/Academic-Programs/Allied-Health-Sciences

commuter campus

Please contact Shelly Laird at 870.633.5411 ext. 140

varies

ASSET, TEAS

Call for more information

crti.ar.tec.us

commuter campus

none

March 1st

Wonderlic, TEAS, LPN STEP

April 1/Fall, November 1/Spring August 31 - RN

Providing life-changing experiences through education. ozarka.edu

commuter campus

prior to semester

April 1st

COMPASS, NET Gap

LPN-June 1st, AASLPN-Oct 1st, RNAug 31st

Enrollment limited to 20 each admission for LPN. uaccm.edu

commuter campus

Oct. 15 for Spring, March 15 for varies Summer, May 15 for Fall

ACT or COMPASS and Kaplan Admission Test

April 15th

Call an advisor to discuss pre-recuisites and eligibility. pulaskitech.edu/programs_of_study/nursing/practical_nursing.asp 501-8122834 or 501-812-2339

commuter campus

none

COMPASS, TEAS

First Monday in March

Do you want to make a difference? Then nursing is for you! npcc.edu

commuter campus

varies, contact financial aid office April

PSB and ACT, COMPASS

LPN-March, RN-Sept

rmcc.edu

commuter campus and on-campus

N/A

March 1st

ASSET. TEAS. Practical Nursing

June 1st

Two Applications required: admissions and nursing. sautech.edu

commuter campus

June 1, November 1, April 1

Priority April 1st

ACT, ASSET, or COMPASS

open

SouthArk: Where students come first. southark.edu

commuter campus

none

none

ASSET, ACT or COMPASS

May 15th

uacch.edu

on campus housing

Priority March 15th

Feb. 1st

ACT/COMPASS/NLN PAX-PN

June 1st for Fall

uafs.edu/health/programs

commuter campus

varies

March 1st

ACT, COMPASS, ASSET, or SAT and TEAS April 15th

k 3yrs. RN express . RN Accelerated medics).

ses

mer session s)

A: 12 wks

nal track/22onal track

des prerequisites)

none

Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. uamont.edu/uamctc

th instructions to return by a specified deadline. Those schools not meeting the deadline were repeated from last year. Every attempt is made to gather and verify the information.

Advertising Supplement to Arkansas Times – Nurses Guide 2013 13

Avoiding the stumbling blocks Plan and prepare for challenges outside the classroom

Life sometimes gets in the way of students completing their degrees. Area nusing schools have measures in place to help them achieve their goals.

14 Advertising Supplement to Arkansas Times – Nurses Guide 2013

S

tacy Palmer has seen it dozens of times: “When our students start nursing school, their whole lives crumble around them.”

Palmer, who’s on the faculty at the Baptist Health School of Nursing, lost her mother and grandfather shortly after she began nursing classes. She’s seen plenty of other students struggle too.

For many nursing students, the challenges of nursing school aren’t limited to the classroom. Finances, time management, balancing family with work and school — pressures in all of these areas can make it difficult for even the most motivated and accomplished nursing students to earn their degrees.

Fortunately, students can take some simple steps to help them stay on track.

Financial difficulties are probably the biggest issue most students face, Palmer said. Students may count on being able to work full time while they go to school, only to realize halfway through that nursing school is tougher than they anticipated. They may need to cut back on their work hours, but feel like they can’t afford to.

What’s the answer? Palmer advises students to plan not to work full time, and instead to be prepared to take out a loan.

Students should think about their finances and put pen to paper to figure out how much money they need to cover tuition and living expenses.

Becky Parnell, chair of the nursing department at Southern Arkansas University

in Magnolia, is currently doing research that focuses on student success in nursing school.

Her advice: Find out what type of learning style works best for you — you can find a free learning style test online — and let that guide the type of study methods and tools you use.

“For example, a student who is an auditory learner should ask the faculty member if they can record their lecture or take notes and then record themselves reading the notes,” she said. “Also, I would strongly suggest frequent communication with their faculty members. Faculty are experts at what they do, and they know how to help a student be successful. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.”

It’s common for nursing students to be raising families while they’re in school — either because nursing is a second career or because they’re going back to school later in adulthood to pursue a higher degree. It’s not easy to maintain a balance between home and school. For students who have a choice, it’s usually better to put off marriage and family until after they’ve finished their educations, said Rebecca Burris, chair of the nursing department at Arkansas Tech University.

“It does interfere with their ability to study and concentrate and get their school work done,” she said. “And it’s hard when clinical starts at 6:30 in the morning and you can’t traditionally find daycare at that time.”

Ayasha Stewart, director of the women’s nurse practitioner program at the UAMS College of Nursing, said she always advises

younger students to take their time and not hurry into marriage. And for those who are already married, Stewart, who is divorced, has advice as well.

“I give them all the things I did wrong,” she said. “I tell them they need to communicate better with their partner and make sure they’re supportive, and if not, maybe they need to rethink this.”

Lori Hendrix, 36, is juggling caring for two children while she pursues an associate degree in nursing at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. She also lives an hourand-a-half away from UALR. Prioritizing isn’t easy, she said.

“I did not pick my clinical rotation by what I wanted to see or who the instructor was,” she said. “I based it on what was the best schedule for my kids, what kept me with them as much as possible.”

Hendrix said time management is one of her strengths, but that she has had to learn to let go of stress and perfectionism.

“Sometimes you’re not going to make an A. I’ve learned to accept that,” she said.

Nursing school requires more clock hours per credit hour than other fields of study, said Brenda Womack, interim chair of UALR’s nursing department. “That means normal students would expect to study two hours for a one-hour course, but our requirement is three hours. That throws them off a bit. They have to do a lot of extra work to prepare to go to clinicals and take care of patients, and then do a lot of documentation when they

leave. It’s hard to have enough time on the clock to study when you have children and jobs.”

UALR has a student success coordinator on staff to help connect students to community agencies and resources that might be able to help with the students’ needs, Womack said.

Usually it just comes down to planning, said Velisa Charles, an oncology nurse who is enrolled in UALR’s RN-to-BSN program. Her faith and strong family support helped keep her in school while she took care of her small children, but planning was the key, she said.

“When my children were little I would have to study with them at 6, 7 o’clock in the evening when they were doing their homework, then put them to bed and be up at 2 or 3 in the morning studying for myself. It was hard, but it can be done,” she said. “One of the things I always tell the young ladies I talk to: You have to make a plan for yourself. You have to plan things out and stay organized. If you start something and it’s working for you, don’t change that. I had a plan for what me and my children had to do. Once we got on our little routine it worked out for me.”

Matt Burgess, an RN at Baptist Health Extended Care Hospital, said nursing students must be determined and self-confident.

“Once you’re in school, just keep going,” he said. “Believe in yourself. Being a nurse is so much better than being in nursing school.

It’s difficult — it needs to be difficult — but there’s light at the end of the tunnel.”

Advertising Supplement to Arkansas Times – Nurses Guide 2013 15

Once a nurse, always a student Education lasts a lifetime for nurses

I

f you’re looking for a career where you can get a degree, find a job and then never darken the door of a classroom again, nursing probably isn’t for you.

For most nurses, education is a careerlong endeavor. It starts with the initial training to become a licensed practical nurse (LPN) or registered nurse (RN).

While in past decades nurses might have stopped there, today a growing number of nurses go back to school after they start working to earn higher degrees and certifications to better prepare themselves for the increasingly complex world of health care.

In addition, all LPNs, RNs and advanced practice nurses (APNs) in Arkansas must complete continuing education requirements to renew their licenses every two years. Continuing education could involve taking a college class, attending a conference, participating in training sessions held at the workplace or even taking online courses.

There’s a good reason for all the extra education, said Jamie Peacock, director of quality programs for nursing at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Health care changes so quickly, she said, and nurses can’t provide the best care unless they keep up with current trends and practices.

“You can’t not do it and be safe,” she said. “You have to keep yourself educated to be expert in your specialty. It’s one of those things where the more you know, the more you find out you need to know.

We never finish learning.”

Peacock herself is a good example of lifelong learning. After earning a bachelor’s degree and working as a teacher for a number of years, she moved into health care 20 years ago as a diploma nurse, the quickest route to becoming a registered nurse.

Eventually, as she wanted to move up in her career, she went back to school to earn a master’s degree, which she completed last year.

There are several possible routes for entering the nursing profession, some of which take longer and cost more than others. Which one is right for you depends on your life circumstances and ultimate career goals.

Velisa Charles got her first job as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) in a nursing home in 1989 after taking a short course at what was then called Delta Career College. Fresh from high school, she needed to start working as soon as possible, and she didn’t feel ready to commit to college. In 2000, she completed coursework at Southeast

16 Advertising Supplement to Arkansas Times – Nurses Guide 2013

Nurses are required to complete continuing education classes, activities or conferences.

Arkansas College to become an LPN; six years later she went back to complete an associate’s degree and become an RN. Now she’s enrolled in the University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s online RNto-BSN program. Having a BSN will qualify her for management positions at the hospital where she now works, she said, as well as allow her to teach classes in LPN programs. She may even go on to pursue a master’s degree eventually, she said.

“It’s been like a stepping stone process for me,” she said. “Those are opportunities that I’m really looking forward to doing once I get this degree.”

While more and more nursing jobs are requiring a bachelor’s degree, many nursing students still need or want to enter the profession in a shorter time period than it takes to earn a BSN. Students can become registered nurses through diploma programs, such as Baptist Health School of Nursing, and through associate degree programs, offered at a number of community colleges and four-year universities around the state. Once they’re in the RN workforce, they can continue their educations through an RN-to-BSN completion program.

“A higher education opens doors,” said Becky Parnell, interim chair of the nursing department at Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia. “It provides the student with the background knowledge and critical thinking to be successful in many different areas of the nursing profession.”

These programs are typically offered completely online.

Online education works so well for nursing degrees because nurses typically learn all the hands-on clinical skills they need in their initial RN training, said Brenda Womack, interim chair of the nursing department at UALR. After that, coursework focuses on other skills, such as leadership and management, cost analyses, community assessments, health care policy and research — knowledge that is essential for nurses to fulfill their potential as members of the health care team. Most of the nurses pursuing BSNs at UALR are working RNs, she said.

“Most of it has to do with leadership and management skills,” she said.

“They’re already solid nurses in terms of patient care.”

Being able to take classes online can also take away some of the awkwardness that older nurses might feel going back to a college campus, Peacock said.

“Online education is really, really wonderful because you’re on the same level playing field with everyone else,” she said. “They don’t know how old you are or what you look like. It’s all based on your knowledge and writing skills.

That’s the best.”

Beyond the bachelor’s level, nurses can pursue a growing range of graduate degrees. For example, APNs, which include nurse practitioners, are nurses who have earned at least a master’s degree and passed an advanced practice licensing exam. In Arkansas, APNs can provide primary care to patients in

Ongoing education allows nurses to be expert in their specialties.

College of

Nursing & Health Professions Associate of Applied Science

Traditional, LPN-to-RN

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Traditional, Second Degree Accelerated, LPN-to-BSN, Online RN-to-BSN

Master of Science in Nursing

Adult Health: Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse Educator, Nurse Administrator Family Nurse Practitioner Nurse Anesthesia

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Online

AState.edu

AState.edu/conhp

COMMITTED

&Connected

Donald W. Reynolds Center for Health Sciences

collaboration with a physician but can also practice independently. APNs are becoming increasingly important as a way to ease the shortage of primary care providers, which is especially severe in rural areas.

Nurses may also earn master’s

Why I Became A

Nurse

I graduated from high school in 2004 and went to UALR for two or three years. I kind of had a couple different majors, but I didn’t get a degree. I worked at a call center for a few years and thought I just needed to do something different. I wasn’t making any money, and the work I was doing was not meaningful to me. I always heard that nursing was a great career, and I thought, well, I can do that. I got into nursing school and I got into more than what I expected. People don’t realize how much responsibility nurses actually have.

Matt Burgess, RN, Baptist Health Extended Care Hospital

degrees with the goal of becoming nurse educators or administrators. More and more nurses are going even further and pursuing doctoral degrees.

Jeff Carmack is one of them. Carmack worked as an emergency medical technician (EMT) and a volunteer firefighter before he decided to go into nursing. He started out with an associate degree from UALR in 2007, then completed a BSN at UALR and a master’s degree at UCA. Now a member of the UALR faculty and director of the nursing department’s simulation lab, Carmack is studying to get a doctor of nursing practice degree in education from a university in North Carolina.

“My ultimate goal is to continue to look at ways simulation can bridge the gap between new research findings and how to apply those to the bedside,” he said. “It usually takes 17 years for something that a nurse finds in researching a topic to get to the bedside. The role of the doctor of nursing practice is to reduce that time.”

Certification is another important part of lifelong learning for nurses.

There are a number of certifications that nurses can get in just about every area of nursing, such as labor and delivery, operating room, nurse education, oncology and many more. Nurses typically have to have worked a certain number of hours in their specialty area of certification, taken extra training and passed a certification exam, and be actively practicing in that specialty.

Certifications usually are valid for two to four years, and nurses have to fulfill certain education and work requirements

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to renew certification.

“You have to validate that you have clinical expertise and that you continually work toward maintaining that certification,” Peacock said.

“Certification has also been shown to improve clinical outcomes for patients in addition to nurses investing and

“You can’t not do it and be safe,” she said. “You have to keep yourself educated to be expert in your specialty. It’s one of those things where the more you know, the more you find out you need to know. We never finish learning.” engaging in their specialty.”

Many workplaces pay certified nurses at least a bit more, and may even cover the cost of the initial certification exam,

which can run several hundred dollars.

Peacock, who has a certification in quality, maintains a database at UAMS of which nurses are certified and in what specialty. More than 300 nurses at UAMS are certified in their area of practice. UAMS supports certification by providing review courses and continuing education hours and reimbursing nurses for the cost of taking one certification exam. Nurses who pass their certification exam receive an increase in their hourly pay rate.

Regardless of whether they want to go back to school to earn a higher degree or pursue certification, all licensed nurses have to complete continuing education requirements to keep their licenses. They have three choices: Complete 15 hours of approved continuing education activities, hold a current nationally recognized certification, or complete one college credit hour course in nursing with a grade of C or better. Advanced practice nurses who prescribe medications must complete five additional contact hours of continuing education related to that area.

It’s not hard to find 15 hours’ worth of continuing education every two years, Peacock said.

“We provide a lot of those contact hours here within our organization,” she said of UAMS. “We have training and

education here for our staff.”

Attending conferences is another way nurses meet continuing education requirements. Kara Christensen, a neurology specialty nurse at Arkansas Children’s Hospital, recently attended a conference on spinal muscular atrophy, with funding from a private foundation.

No matter what your career or education goals, if you become a nurse,

My overall exposure to medicine started way back in the early 1990s.

I have worked as an EMT and in volunteer fire departments, and for me, it was just the next step. I had seen the prehospital care world for many years, and understood what the patient looked like from the field. I always knew there was something on the other side of the hospital door. I was really interested in that — how the health care system dealt with the person that we had focused this very acute care on.

Why I Became A

Nurse

Jeff Carmack, MSN, RN, instructor and head of simulation lab at UALR

When I was 18 my mom had a severe car wreck, and was in ICU for several months. The nurses really helped us. They would stay with us and explain what was happening. The doctors were just in and out. They took good care of her, but I felt like the nurses were really there for us, and that’s when I decided to become a nurse.

Christina Pettey, MNSc, RN, clinical assistant professor, UAMS College of Nursing

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Printing Provided by www.ThinkNurse.com Printing Provided by www.ThinkNurse.com 18 Advertising Supplement to Arkansas Times – Nurses Guide 2013

you become a lifelong student. It can even become a little addicting.

“Most of the nurses I know who are back in school and have completed their [BSN] programs are interested in going beyond a BSN when they complete it,” said Dr. Debra Jeffs, director of academic nursing education at Arkansas Children’s Hospital. “They begin to see the value of that advanced education.”

Nursing Degree Programs Online Prospective nurses have the opportunity to speak to representatives and recruiters from dozens of institutions across the state at the annual Nursing Expo.

10th Annual Nursing Expo Curious about a career in nursing? The 10 th Annual Nursing Expo, set for Dec. 7 at the Metroplex Event Center, will provide an opportunity to speak to representatives from a number of nursing schools and employers across Arkansas.

The Nursing Expo is the state’s largest yearly gathering of nurses, nursing students, recruiters, schools, and major hospitals and health care facilities. If you’re looking to begin or continue your education, or if you’re hunting for a job, • American Red Cross • Arkansas Children’s Hospital • Arkansas Hospice • Arkansas Tech University • Arkansas State Board of Nursing • Arkansas Registered Nurses Association • ASU College Of Nursing • Baptist Health • Baptist Health Schools • Briarwood Nursing and Rehab • Central Arkansas VA • Conway Regional • Department of Human Services • Eleanor Mann School of Nursing • Griffey’s Professional Uniforms • Henderson State University • Hospice Homecare

the Nursing Expo is a great chance to meet with representatives and recruiters from dozens of institutions.

The event, which runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 7, is free and open to the public.

The Metroplex Event Center is located at Colonel Glenn Road and Interstate 430 in Little Rock.

Past Nursing Expos have included representatives from the following schools and employers:

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Advertising Supplement to Arkansas Times – Nurses Guide 2013 19

My first day Arkansas nurses share memories from their newbie days

A

s far back as kindergarten, we figure out that the “first day” of

and those first-day jitters can rise to a whole new level of intensity.

just about anything we do in life is going to be a mix of thrills

This year, we’ve asked Arkansas nurses to share memories of

and terrors. The excitement of meeting new people, the nervousness

their first days, either in nursing school, on a clinical rotation, or on

about trying new things, the hope that we’ll get through it all

the job. Their memories combine to tell a story of hard work paying

without messing up too badly. Add in the reality of nursing — that

off, of the value of a supportive word, of the pride that comes with

you’re responsible for the health and well being of other people —

realizing you’re going to make it after all.

my own. Your first day of clinical, school, or work, you’re going to look like a deer in the headlights and be terrified.

But it does get better, and eventually you realize you know what you’re doing.

Marilyn Caldwell, BSN, RN UAMS endoscopy lab I remember my first day for work and wanting to look like a nurse should, all pretty, dressed in white and, mind you, new both inside and out, and thinking, I’m going to take care of people!

I really felt good about the whole thing. I headed off to work. It was pouring down rain and there was a little mud puddle that had actually turned into a bigger mud puddle.

Instead of figuring out how to go around it, I slipped and fell right into it, mud and all.

I’m lying there and thinking...is it worth it? Why even go in? It’s your first day — they’ll probably fire you for being late and think you’re irresponsible.

But I got up, went back inside, put the muddy clothes into a bag, stopped crying and got cleaned up again and went to work. My nursing cap, needless to say, did not have any mud on it and my charge nurse could see the stained make-up from my tears. I was waiting on her to send me home but she never did.

It is the compassion of nurses that will keep you in nursing. I never showed her the uniform and she never asked me why I was late. Being a nurse has been very rewarding and the highlight of my career. The only thing that I wish had done differently is gone around the mud puddle.

Matt Burgess

Matt Burgess, RN Baptist Health Extended Care Hospital I had no idea what to expect my first day on the floor.

Before you start actually working with patients, you go through a week and a half of hospital orientation, just listening to people talk. That’s a lot of time to sit there and get nervous. My first day was shadowing another nurse, just orienting to the unit and the routine of patient care.

I was still just terrified. After working there almost three months, I’m finally starting to feel like can handle this on 20 Advertising Supplement to Arkansas Times – Nurses Guide 2013

Krista Covert, RN Baptist Health Medical Center My first day on a clinical rotation, I was scared to death.

Having to touch someone for the first time is kind of intimidating. I didn’t want to do something wrong and make myself look bad. Having good teachers and preceptors* eased that nervousness.

Lori Cline, MS, RN UAMS College of Nursing faculty My first day as a licensed nurse, what I remember is just

feeling overwhelmed. Just this thought, I’m never going to get this right. All the things I have to remember and how coordinated and how organized my thinking has to be. I remember going out and sitting in the car at the end of my shift and thinking, this is just not for me. It took many months before I felt confident and organized, where I could take care of my patients but also handle any emergency and counter any disruptions in my routine. Hopefully now there’s been so much in the nursing literature about nurses eating their young, so much about doing more to help these new graduates, that that won’t be their experience.

When students come talk to me and say Ms. Cline, I got a job, I’ll say, tell me about the staff. Who’s going to be your preceptor? What are your colleagues like? You need to think about that — the people you can go to who will support you during those trying first weeks.

Carla Chapman, RN Baptist Health Medical Center My first clinical experience was at Davis Life Care Center. My first day, I had to give this lady an enema. As I was putting the enema in, she let go. It went in my hair, my face, everywhere. That is something I will never forget. She didn’t ever talk or anything, but that time I got a smile out of her and she laughed. I had to go back the next day. I had to really want to be a nurse, I’m telling you.

Stacy Palmer, MSN, RN Baptist School of Nursing faculty I joined the faculty in 2002. I was one of those people who feared public speaking. The first time you step in front of those students in the classroom, it is a bit overwhelming.

It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been a nurse or your skill set. In back of your mind, you think, these people probably know more than I do, and they’re LPNs. But you get through it.

My first day as a nurse was in critical care. I was so excited and so thankful to have that position. When I went through the critical care rotation in school, I thought, this is what I want to do the rest of my life. I felt like a real nurse, I felt like I was learning things. When I went in there as a new nurse, my feeling more so than anything was excitement. The pay wasn’t necessarily great, but it was what I wanted to do.

At Arkansas Tech University, you will gain the knowledge and skills that you need for a rich and fulfilling career in the field of nursing. If you are already in the nursing profession and are looking to take the next step in your career, our Master of Science in Nursing Administration and Emergency Management might be right for you.

• Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in nursing programs available in Russellville.

• RN to BSN online program available for registered nurses.

For more information, call 479-968-0383 or visit www.atu.edu/nursing

Ayasha Stewart Kara Christensen, RN Arkansas Children’s Hospital, neurology specialty nurse My first day of clinical, it was a regular Tuesday. I had to be at Conway Regional Medical Center at 6:30 in the morning. I was giving a lady a bed bath and the TV was on CNN. They were showing the Twin Towers being hit by a plane. That was my very first day.

Sara Jones, PhD, RN, PMHNP-BC Clinical assistant professor at and specialty coordinator for the psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioner program, UAMS College of Nursing I started nursing school in Ohio, and moved here in 2003. My first clinical days were at the Cleveland Clinic. That’s pretty scary.

You’re prepared but everything is brand new and everything is a new experience.

You don’t get used to it even when you’ve been doing clinical for a whole semester.

You still feel like the newbie because you’re still learning. My first day of work, I had

gotten what was my dream job, as a nurse on a psychiatric ward. It was exactly what I wanted to do. For me it was extremely rewarding. I felt like it was all finally paying off, and that I was getting to do what I felt was meant to do.

Velisa Charles, RN Student in UALR’s RN-to-BSN program I was really excited my first day at the hospital where I’m currently working. I had never been in that type of setting before — I had always been in longterm care or home health, something of that nature. I knew I was walking into a whole new entity of nursing, acute care vs. long-term care. I was excited and scared at the same time. I had preceptors who had been seasoned nurses for years and had a wealth of experience and were patient, took their time and showed me the things I needed to know to become a productive team member. It worked out well. There was one patient who stuck out the most. She was 38 years old, and she had had gastric bypass surgery years

MyFuture@Work

Rock lzo – Little Brook Sca rsing Online Nu Program RN to BSN

Climb the ladder of success with the UALR Nursing Ladder Program.

Whether you just have a few credits or are a practicing professional, UALR has a program to fit your needs and prepares you for the challenging profession of nursing.

Find out which track is best for you. ualr.at/nursing • 501.569.8070

Department of nursing

university of arkansas at LittLe rock

Advertising Supplement to Arkansas Times – Nurses Guide 2013 21

Krista Covert

prior to that, and it wasn’t working. She had developed an abdominal infection and things were not looking good for her. We were working with her to try to stabilize her condition. At that time I was around that age, and I thought, that could me lying in that bed. What would I want someone to do for me? In between my nursing duties I just kind of hung around her, listened to her concerns, and offered a little bit of advice to her as a person. She eventually was able to overcome that infection and return home. She was 38 years old and that really did something to me — she was my age and she was really, really, really sick.

Ayasha Stewart, APN, RN, Director of the women’s health nurse practitioner program, UAMS College of Nursing

Glen Lewis

I was in school in Fayetteville and I was really young, probably 21. Back then the first clinical experience you had was in a nursing home, so you could see people who had long charts and figure out what’s happening. Of course, my instructor assigned me to a patient who had a colostomy. Back then, it was the old kind of bag that you had to take off and clean out, then put back. They weren’t disposable. So I walk in, I’m doing my assessment, and the instructor says, “What are you going to do about that colostomy bag? It’s full.” I said, “I guess clean it?” Yep. I took it off, I did what I was supposed to do, and then I threw up all over the place. It was awful. I remember it vividly. To this day, smells get to me. I went home that night and I think I called my parents and said, I don’t think I can do this. My dad said, “You’re not a quitter — go back, try it again, and see what happens.” I went back and had a different patient the next day, and she was just the sweetest — much better. I thought, I can do this. Years later my dad had to have an ileostomy. I just sucked it up and dealt with it, and I was better able to take care of my dad.

Glen Lewis, RN, UAMS, Medical Specialties

Sarah Duck

My first day as a nurse was filled with many different emotions. I was fortunate enough to work under my manager for sixand-a-half years as an unlicensed assistive personnel before being hired as a nurse.

This experience made my transition as a nurse easier than most new grads. But the one thing that stood out the most on my first day (and the subsequent days that followed) was all the support and congratulations I received from the physicians, and more importantly, my co-workers. The encouraging words and support I received were immensely appreciated while I attended nursing school. An instrumental figure during this time was my manager,

22 Advertising Supplement to Arkansas Times – Nurses Guide 2013

Rowena Garcia. To see her smile on my first day was another confirmation that I made the right career choice.

Norman R. Swope, BSN, RN, OCN UAMS, stem cell transplant My first day as a preceptor was one of the oddest first preceptor days I could ever imagine. A previous employee had asked for me. This happened to be a nurse who worked on our unit while I was a nursing student. I walked into that first day like a brand new nurse. I was worried about sounding like a moron to one of the nurses I previously looked up to. Instead when I inquired as to why I was specifically requested, her answer was the most flattering I could imagine. She had talked to a lot of my co-workers and wanted to learn how to manage her time, as I was really good with that skill. Her comment put back a lot of confidence in me to know that I am doing exactly what I am meant to do.

Sarah Duck, BSN, RN Conway Regional Medical Center, labor and delivery I definitely remember my first day on the floor. I think I followed the wrong preceptor around for half a day before the right preceptor came and found me. Honestly, if it hadn’t been for my first preceptor I would have chickened out and gone somewhere else. But I knew that was the type of nurse I wanted to be — the kind who helped new nurses.

Lori Anderson, RN UAMS, perinatal My first day as a nurse, I was scheduled to start at 5:30 a.m. I was very excited and to be honest, a little bit nervous, so I actually arrived early, at 5 a.m. The nurse at the front desk smiled and said, “How can I help you?” I told her I was a new hire and was starting my orientation and would be working with my preceptor in pre-op. Since I was early, she gave me a quick tour of the unit and then my preceptor arrived and we were off and running. We prepared the operating room for the expectant moms scheduled for cesarean sections. The first patient arrived at 6 a.m. and I didn’t look up until 9 a.m. and wondered what the next five hours would have in store. My preceptor took me on a quick break and then we began assisting other nurses with discharges. It was a long journey getting to my first day as a nurse, going to college, juggling family

commitments, and passing the licensing exam. My day ended at 2 p.m. and as I was driving home, I smiled and thought to myself, “It was all worth it. I finally worked my first real day as a registered nurse!”

*A preceptor is an individual with demonstrated competence in a specific area who can serve as a teacher/coach, leader/ inf luencer, facilitator, evaluator, socialization agent, protector and role model to develop and validate the competencies of another individual. Precepting is an organized, evidence-based, outcome-driven approach to assuring competent practice. Precepting is used for students who are rotating into clinical areas, for a new graduate nurse or new hire on-boarding, when experienced staff members learn a new specialty or new skills and when individuals move into new roles such as educator or manager.

Attention Juniors & seniors Check out the web version of the

NURSES GUIDE 2013

online at arktimes.com

NURSES gUidE 2013

An Advertising Supplement to the

Do your values match your employer’s?

At Conway Regional we strive to create a culture centered on our values daily. If our core values of Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Excellence align with your own we want you to be a part of our team. Join the iCare team of nurses at Conway Regional as we work together to provide high-quality, compassionate health care services to North Central Arkansas.

At Conway Regional we offer our team members competitive benefits: Tuition Reimbursement Continuing Education Advancement Opportunities Low Nurse/Patient Ratio Flexible Scheduling Family Friendly Atmosphere We are currently recruiting experienced FT CCU nurses with 3 years of experience. Call (501) 513-5410 or visit us online at www.ConwayRegional.org/JobOpenings to submit an application and review current openings.

Making better healthcare a reality.

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