Nursing (NURS)

Marilou Shreve
Executive Director
Eleanor Mann School of Nursing
Epley Center for Health Professions
606 Razorback Road
479-575-3218
Email: nursing@uark.edu 

Eleanor Mann School of Nursing website

Degrees Conferred:
M.S. in Nursing (NURS)
Doctor of Nursing Practice (NURS)

Graduate Certificates:
Nursing Education (non-degree)
Family Nurse Practitioner (non-degree)

The Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) Program: The program offered by the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing expands on the philosophy of the undergraduate nursing program and contributes to the mission of the College of Education and Health Professions and the University of Arkansas. The semester of entry can be spring, summer, or fall. Graduates of the M.S.N. are prepared to contribute to the nursing profession through the application of knowledge and skills in leadership, education, and clinical practice. Completion of the M.S.N. program provides the foundation for academic progression to a research or practice-focused doctoral program.

Graduates of the M.S.N. program will be able to:

• Promote evidence-based practice through problem identification and the critique of research findings
• Collaborate in policy development, resource management, and cost-effective care delivery
• Apply legal/ethical principles to promote a values-based professional practice
• Affect health care outcomes through advanced roles of clinician, teacher, manager, researcher, and consultant
• Utilize theories from nursing and other disciplines for decision making
• Advocate for access to quality health care for diverse populations
• Collaborate with other disciplines to design, deliver and evaluate health care services for diverse populations
• Provide leadership in education in a variety of clinical and academic settings

Doctor of Nursing Practice Program: The program provides the terminal degree for nurses who will assume leadership roles as practitioners or specialists in the field of nursing. There are two entry levels for students: 1) post completion of the baccalaureate degree in nursing and licensure as a registered nurse (RN), or 2) post completion of a master's degree in nursing that has resulted in national certification as an advanced practice nurse (nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, nurse midwife, or nurse anesthetist). The online program is built upon the American Association of Colleges of Nursing's Essentials (2021), National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculty Role Core Competencies (2022) and incorporates the National Task Force’s Standards for Quality Nurse Practitioner Education (2022) . As such, students completing the B.S.N. to D.N.P. program of study will be eligible to sit for the Family

Nurse Practitioner (FNP) certification exam offered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) or the American Association for Nurse Practitioners (AANP). Students in both entry levels must complete a D.N.P. project and a minimum of 1,000 clinical hours while enrolled in a graduate program. Current advanced practice nurses who enter the program as post-master's students must complete clinical hours to supplement clinical hours completed in their master's program. Students should anticipate several visits to the main campus during their program of study.

Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to:

1. Integrate, translate, and apply science and theoretical concepts from nursing and other disciplines into nursing practice.
2. Develop, implement, and evaluate interventions for health promotion to improve health outcomes for diverse populations.
3. Incorporate analytic methods to lead evidence based practice and continuous quality improvement in clinical practice and healthcare systems.
4. Generate, translate, apply, and disseminate scientific findings to guide best practices to improve health outcomes of individuals, populations, and systems of care.
5. Utilize healthcare technology and data to enhance organizational and system performance.
6. Foster interdisciplinary collaborations that advance the quality of healthcare across populations and systems.
7. Advocate for, participate in, and lead health policy initiatives.
8. Implement evidence based strategies to support leadership development; peer mentorship; and personal wellness, resilience, and lifelong learning.

A dual program leading to both the Doctor of Nursing Practice and the Executive M.B.A. Learn more about the Executive M.B.A. concentration offered in the Graduate School of Business.

Master of Science in Nursing

The Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) Program offered by the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing expands on the philosophy of the undergraduate nursing program and contributes to the mission of the College of Education and Health Professions and the University of Arkansas. Graduates of the M.S.N. are prepared to contribute to the nursing profession through the application of knowledge and skills in  leadership, education, and clinical practice. Completion of the M.S.N. program provides the foundation for academic progression to a research or practice-focused doctoral program.

Admission Requirements for the Master of Science in Nursing Degree Program 

• Admission to the University of Arkansas Graduate School (Requires a $60 non-refundable application fee).
• Admission to the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing M.S.N. program.
• Completion of a nationally accredited baccalaureate or master's degree program in nursing.
• A 3.0 cumulative GPA on the last 60 credit hours of attempted coursework in previous nursing program. Applicants with GPA below 3.0 will be considered by the program faculty on an individual basis with possible probationary status.
• Current unencumbered license to practice as a registered nurse.
• Submission of curriculum vitae or professional resume.
• Completion of candidate interview.
• Letter of recommendation from one professional reference.
• Qualified applicants will be admitted on a space available basis. Applications are accepted for spring, summer and fall start dates. 
• Applicants who do not meet the above requirements may be referred to the program faculty for special consideration and may be required to fulfill additional prerequisites.

Requirements for the Master of Science in Nursing Degree

In addition to the general requirements of the Graduate School, students must complete a minimum of 39 credit hours, including the following courses:

¹

In NURS 51172 students must perform comprehensive physical exams. The comprehensive physical exams include both a written portion as well as skills demonstration. Students must earn a 95/100 on the comprehensive head-to-toe physical exam and written portion in order to pass the exams. Students must pass both the skills demonstration and written component before entering the clinical setting. Students are allowed to remediate one time. If students do not pass on the second time, they will not be allowed to progress in the course and will be administratively withdrawn from both NURS 51061 and NURS 51172 as these courses must be taken concomitantly. For purposes of the nursing withdrawal policy, these withdrawals will count as one withdrawal.

²

Students who intend to pursue doctoral preparation are strongly urged to select the thesis option. All candidates for the Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) must successfully complete a comprehensive written exam, which is part of NURS 57003 and NURS 6003V.

Progression Requirements for the Master of Science in Nursing Degree

Students are responsible for meeting the standards of academic and professional performance specified by the graduate programs in nursing. In order to progress in the program, students must adhere to the following:

• Grade requirements as outlined below.
• Policies of the University of Arkansas Graduate School are on the Objectives and Regulations page.

• Clinical Practice Guidelines as outlined in the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Graduate Student Handbook in the Graduate Handbook.
• Clinical Compliance Guidelines as outlined in the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Graduate Student Handbook also in the Graduate Handbook.
• Maintenance of an unencumbered registered nurse license.
• Compliance with the nurse practice act(s) which regulate(s) the student’s license(s).

Grade Requirements

1. A grade of “C” or lower may be earned in a nursing course only once.
2. A grade of “B” or better must be received upon repeat of the nursing course in order to progress in the program; courses may only be repeated once to achieve a grade of “B” or higher.
3. If a second “C” or lower is earned in a nursing course, the student will not be allowed to progress in the program, and will not be allowed to return to the program.
4. A student may only repeat a nursing course in which a “C” or lower has been received one time throughout the program. A student may only withdraw from a course one time.
5. Grades of “D” or “F” are not accepted for credit.

D.N.P. with Family Nurse Practitioner Concentration

Program Requirements: In addition to the general requirements of the Graduate School, students who have earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing must complete a minimum of 78 hours with the following general requirements for the Doctor of Nursing Practice, while completing additional coursework in the Family Nurse Practitioner concentration. Several campus visits are required for program orientation, skills acquisition, and dissemination of scholarly work. Students may earn the M.S.N. and D.N.P. degrees simultaneously. Please visit the School of Nursing website for more information.

Admission Requirements and Procedures

• Admission to the University of Arkansas Graduate School (Requires a $60 non-refundable application fee)
• Admission to the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing D.N.P. program 
• Completion of a nationally accredited professional degree program in nursing
• A 3.0 cumulative GPA on the last 60 credit hours of attempted coursework in previous nursing program
• Current unencumbered license to practice as a registered nurse
• Submission of curriculum vitae or professional resume  
• Submission of a Statement of Purpose outlining the rationale for pursuing a Doctor of Nursing Practice and how the applicant fits the requirements of the program, and the mission and vision of the program. 
• Completion of candidate interview
• Letters of recommendation from two professional references 
• Applicants that are Master’s-prepared Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN) may count up to 36 hours from the masters toward the DNP. To do so the APRN must have the met the following requirements:
  • Completion of a Master's Degree in Nursing from a nationally accredited M.S.N. program
  • A.P.R.N. licensure – if required by student's state of residence
  • Certification as an A.P.N.
• Qualified applicants will be admitted on a space available basis
• Applicants who do not meet the above requirements may be referred to the Graduate Admissions Committee for special consideration and may be required to fulfill additional prerequisites.

Progression Requirements for the Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree

Students are responsible for meeting the standards of academic and professional performance specified by the graduate programs in nursing. In order to progress in the program, students must adhere to the following:

• Grade requirements as outlined below
• See also Policies of the University of Arkansas Graduate School. 
• Graduate Student Handbook (PDF)
• Graduate Student Clinical Handbook (PDF).
• Maintenance of an unencumbered registered nurse license
• Compliance with the nurse practice act(s) which regulate(s) the student’s license(s)

Grade Requirement

A. A grade of “C” or lower may be earned in a nursing course only once, with the following exception:

1. A grade of “B” or better must be earned in didactic courses with a clinical component.
2. If a grade less than “B” is earned in either the didactic or clinical course, both must be repeated concurrently. A grade of “B” or better must be received upon repeat of the course in order to progress in the program.
3. Clinical courses and their didactic components may only be repeated once to achieve a grade of “B” or higher.

B. If a second “C” or lower is earned in a nursing course, the student will not be allowed to progress in the program, and will not be allowed to return to the program.

C. A student may only repeat a nursing course in which a "C" or lower has been received one time throughout the program. A grade of "B" or better must be received upon repeat of the course in order to progress in the program.

D. A student is allowed only one course withdrawal throughout the program.

E. Students who voluntarily withdraw from all courses, or who do not maintain continuous enrollment must re-apply both to the Graduate School and the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing for readmission.

F. Grades of “D” or “F” are not accepted for credit.

¹

"Or" classes will only be accepted for the D.N.P. degree if the student is concurrently pursuing an Executive M.B.A. degree ("dual degree"; refer to the Graduate School of Business for details).

²

Those students concurrently pursuing an Executive M.B.A. degree ("dual degree"; refer to Graduate School of Business for details) may use an Executive M.B.A. course as an elective for the D.N.P. program.

³

Student typically take this course two different times, first for 1 hour of credit and then for 3 hours of credit in a subsequent semester. See adviser for details.

⁴

In NURS 51172 students must perform comprehensive physical exams. The comprehensive physical exams include both a written portion as well as skills demonstration. Students must earn a 95/100 on the comprehensive head-to-toe physical exam and written portion in order to pass the exams. Students must pass both the skills demonstration and written component before entering the clinical setting. Students are allowed to remediate one time. If students do not pass on the second time, they will not be allowed to progress in the course and will be administratively withdrawn from both NURS 51061 and NURS 51172 as these courses must be taken concomitantly. For purposes of the nursing withdrawal policy, these withdrawals will count as one withdrawal.

⁵

Students with Advanced Practice  Nursing (APRN) can count up to 36 hours of the APRN toward the DNP program. If not an APRN, then the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) concentration must be declared at time of admission to DNP program.

⁶

NURS 50533 required to complete DNP program even if APRN is awarded.

Additional Requirements for Family Nurse Practitioner Concentration 

If a student is not an Advanced Practice Nursing (APRN; see details above), then the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) concentration must be declared at time of admission to the Doctor of Nursing Practice program and must be completed in order to earn the DNP.

Post-M.S.N. Doctor of Nursing Practice

Program Requirements:  In addition to the general requirements of the Graduate School, students who have earned a clinical Master of Science in Nursing degree must complete a minimum of 42 hours with the following requirements for the Doctor of Nursing Practice.  Several campus visits may be required for program orientation and dissemination of scholarly work.

Admission Requirements and Procedures

• Admission to the University of Arkansas Graduate School (Requires a $60 non-refundable application fee)
• Admission to the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing D.N.P. program 
• Completion of a nationally accredited professional degree program in nursing
• A 3.0 cumulative GPA on the last 60 credit hours of attempted coursework in previous nursing program
• Current unencumbered license to practice as a registered nurse
• Submission of curriculum vitae or professional resume  
• Submission of a Statement of Purpose outlining the rationale for pursuing a Doctor of Nursing Practice and how the applicant fits the requirements of the program, and the mission and vision of the program. 
• Completion of candidate interview
• Letters of recommendation from two professional references 
• Applicants that are Master’s-prepared Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN) may count up to 36 hours from the masters toward the DNP. To do so the APRN must have the met the following requirements:
  • Completion of a Master's Degree in Nursing from a nationally accredited M.S.N. program
  • A.P.R.N. licensure – if required by student's state of residence
  • Certification as an A.P.N.
• Qualified applicants will be admitted on a space available basis
• Applicants who do not meet the above requirements may be referred to the Graduate Admissions Committee for special consideration and may be required to fulfill additional prerequisites.

Progression Requirements for the Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree

Students are responsible for meeting the standards of academic and professional performance specified by the graduate programs in nursing. In order to progress in the program, students must adhere to the following:

• Grade requirements as outlined below
• See also Policies of the University of Arkansas Graduate School. 
• Graduate Student Handbook (PDF)
• Graduate Student Clinical Handbook (PDF).
• Maintenance of an unencumbered registered nurse license
• Compliance with the nurse practice act(s) which regulate(s) the student’s license(s)

Grade Requirement

A. A grade of “C” or lower may be earned in a nursing course only once, with the following exception:

1. A grade of “B” or better must be earned in didactic courses with a clinical component.
2. If a grade less than “B” is earned in either the didactic or clinical course, both must be repeated concurrently. A grade of “B” or better must be received upon repeat of the course in order to progress in the program.
3. Clinical courses and their didactic components may only be repeated once to achieve a grade of “B” or higher.

B. If a second “C” or lower is earned in a nursing course, the student will not be allowed to progress in the program, and will not be allowed to return to the program.

C. A student may only repeat a nursing course in which a "C" or lower has been received one time throughout the program. A grade of "B" or better must be received upon repeat of the course in order to progress in the program.

D. A student is allowed only one course withdrawal throughout the program.

E. Students who voluntarily withdraw from all courses, or who do not maintain continuous enrollment must re-apply both to the Graduate School and the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing for readmission.

F. Grades of “D” or “F” are not accepted for credit.

¹

"Or" classes will only be accepted for the D.N.P. degree if the student is concurrently pursuing an Executive M.B.A. degree ("dual degree"; refer to the Graduate School of Business for details).

²

Those students concurrently pursuing an Executive M.B.A. degree ("dual degree"; refer to Graduate School of Business for details) may use an Executive M.B.A. course as an elective for the D.N.P. program.

³

Student typically take this course two different times, first for 1 hour of credit and then for 3 hours of credit in a subsequent semester. See adviser for details.

⁴

In NURS 51172 students must perform comprehensive physical exams. The comprehensive physical exams include both a written portion as well as skills demonstration. Students must earn a 95/100 on the comprehensive head-to-toe physical exam and written portion in order to pass the exams. Students must pass both the skills demonstration and written component before entering the clinical setting. Students are allowed to remediate one time. If students do not pass on the second time, they will not be allowed to progress in the course and will be administratively withdrawn from both NURS 51061 and NURS 51172 as these courses must be taken concomitantly. For purposes of the nursing withdrawal policy, these withdrawals will count as one withdrawal.

⁵

Students with Advanced Practice  Nursing (APRN) can count up to 36 hours of the APRN toward the DNP program. If not an APRN, then the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) concentration must be declared at time of admission to DNP program.

⁶

NURS 50533 required to complete DNP program even if APRN is awarded.

Requirements for Graduate Certificate in Nursing Education

Program Description: This Graduate Certificate in Nursing Education program will prepare the next generation of nurse educators for the role in academic settings. Students augment their existing Master’s preparation in the clinical setting with knowledge and skills to function as qualified nursing educators ready for the demands of the academic setting. The students completing this certificate fill the needs of nursing education programs across the country at all levels. The program is offered 100% online.

Program Requirements: The semester of entry can be spring, summer, or fall. The courses listed below must be completed. The NURS 53433 Specialty Development I (Teaching Practicum) course will be the last course in the sequence. NURS 53433 offers students practicum experiences in the areas of academic teaching and advanced clinical nursing practice. Masters prepared students may use previous course work and clinical practice experience as credit towards the requirements for NURS 53433. Students opting to enroll beginning fall or summer will be required to take only NURS 50733 in the fall (not NURS 53433) followed by one course each semester with completion the following fall. Students entering in spring will complete NURS 50933 first, followed by NURS 50833 in the summer and NURS 50733 and NURS 53433 in the fall. 

Graduate Faculty

Ballentine, Hope, D.N.P. (University of Arkansas), M.S.N. (Vanderbilt University), B.A. (Harding University), Teaching Assistant Professor, 2014, 2018.
Bowling, Hilary, D.N.P. (University of Pittsburgh), M.S.N., B.S.N. (University of Arkansas), Clinical Assistant Professor, 2014, 2022.
Bradley, Callie, D.N.P. (University of Utah), Visiting Clinical Assistant Professor, 2020.
Butler, Martha R., Ph.D. (Texas Woman’s University), M.N., B.S.N. (Wichita State University), Assistant Professor, 2008, 2018.
Casida, Jesse, Ph.D. (Seton Hall University), M.S.N. (Columbia University), B.S. (Bicol University, Phillipines), Professor, George M. and Boyce W. Billingsley Endowed Chair in Nursing, 2022.
Emory, DeAnna Jan, Ph.D. (University of Arkansas), M.S., B.S.N. (University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center), Associate Professor, 2012, 2018.
Jarrett, Anna Lee, Ph.D., M.S.N. (University of Missouri-Columbia), B.S.N. (Missouri Southern State College), Associate Professor, 2012, 2018.
Johnson, Kelly Vowell, Ed.D. (University of Arkansas), M.N.Sc. (University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences) B.S.N. (Arkansas Tech University), Associate Professor, 2013, 2021.
Kilmer, Michele, D.N.P. (University of Alabama), M.S.N (Texas Tech University), B.S.N. (Harding University), Assistant Professor, 2017, 2018.
Kippenbrock, Thomas A., Ed.D. (Indiana University at Bloomington), M.S. (Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis), B.S.N. (Indiana State University), Professor, 2003.
Murray, Lori M., D.N.P. (University of Kansas Medical Center), M.S., B.S.N. (University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center), Teaching Assistant Professor, 2015, 2017.
Sabatini, Lindsey Rachel, D.N.P., M.S., B.S.N., B.S. (University of Arkansas), Instructor, 2012.
Scott, Allison L., D.N.P. (University of Missouri-Kansas City), M.S.N., B.S.N. (University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences), Associate Professor, 2006, 2021.
Shreve, Marilou D., D.N.P., M.S.N. (University of Missouri-Kansas City), B.S.N. (University of Arkansas), Associate Professor, 2013, 2021.