FORT SMITH, Ark — The University of Arkansas - Fort Smith (UAFS) partnered with the University of the Ozarks to offer a new nursing program for aspiring students.
UAFS said that under the partnership, the "2+2 articulation agreement" allows students who want to get a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) to start the first two years of study at U of O and complete the other two at UAFS. All U of O credit hours would be transferred to UAFS to complete the BSN, according to UAFS officials.
Associate Dean of the College of Health, Education and Human Sciences, Paula Julian, said this method would create "a seamless pathway for students, providing them with a clear, structured route" to their BSN degree.
This essentially makes it smoother for students to navigate their nursing studies. Additionally, the U of O said this implementation is also to address the projected nurse shortage in the future. According to U of O, the Health Resources and Services Administration projects a nurse shortage in the state in the next 10 years. Officials said Arkansas will be short more than 3,500 nurses by 2025, and Oklahoma another 7,000.
"It is imperative that educational institutions positioned to fill this void come together and create opportunities,” said Richard Dunsworth, President of U of O.
To learn more about this program, visit uafs.edu.