Department ofNursing

About Nursing at SAU

Southern Arkansas University’s Department of Nursing offers a rigorous Bachelor of Science in Nursing program that blends classroom instruction with hands-on clinical practice—inclusive of immersive training in the Wharton Simulation Lab and real-world experiences at local medical facilities. Guided by a mission aligned with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), the program cultivates person-centered care, professionalism, critical thinking, effective communication, safety, and clinical judgment.

First-Time NCLEX-RN passage rate
50 %

SAU Nursing is proud to announce a remarkable achievement—our 2025 NCLEX-RN first-time licensure exam candidates achieved a 100% pass rate. This exceptional milestone places SAU at the top among state-funded nursing programs in Arkansas.

Note to Prospective Students

  • Admission to pre-nursing major does not guarantee admission to the nursing program. Pre-requisite courses must be completed prior to the start of the nursing program.
  • Beginning March 16, 2021, all pre-nursing students applying to our BSN program will need to complete a HESI standardized preadmission examination administered through the SAU Office of Counseling and Testing. This exam is for diagnostic purposes and must be taken at SAU. HESI Admission Assessment (HESI A2) preadmission examination score must be 75% or greater. The reported score does not round up to 75%. There is a maximum of three attempts to this preadmission exam.

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100 E. University, Magnolia, Arkansas 71753-5000 Telephone: (870) 235-4000
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