Frequently Asked Questions

The Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) degree program is designed to be completed in five semesters or two years of coursework if the student chooses to take all courses as outlined on the Nursing Program Curriculum.

All applicants should complete the online application for the University of West Alabama, and then complete an online application for the University of West Alabama’s Nursing program: Online Application

The deadline for submission for the Spring semester is July 15 of the prior year.  The Division of Nursing only admits once a year in the Spring semester.

YES, UWA offers a traditional on-campus Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) degree and an online RN-to-BSN degree..  The ASN degree is a five-semester or two-year program.  UWA offers all prerequisite courses needed for the RN -to-BSN degree, which provides a seamless transition from the ASN to the BSN track.  This degree option would require one year dedicated to taking BSN prerequisite courses and two years toward earning the ASN degree.  At the completion of the ASN degree program, students would sit for the national licensure examination for registered nurses (NCLEX-RN).  Students would then apply to the University of West Alabama for admission into the online RN-to-BSN program and complete the online BSN degree in one year.

UWA does not offer an accelerated nursing degree option.

The Associate in Science in Nursing is not an alternative to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).  It is the first step toward a career of lifelong learning in the field of health care that is evolving daily.  The ASN degree allows individuals the opportunity to gain licensure in two years (instead of four) and begin their nursing careers.  For those seeking the BSN degree, the ASN nurse can take prerequisites and earn an online BSN degree while earning an income and gaining experience in nursing.  At the end of four years, the person who obtains the ASN has the potential to: 1) gain registered nurse experience that will propel her/his career and make patient’s safer; 2) earn a competitive salary and increase her/his market value because of work experience; and 3) earn an online BSN degree.

The entrance exam is administered by the Division of Nursing in the Spring and Fall semesters.  Once the application process is completed, all prospective students are notified of HESI (Health Education Systems Incorporated) entrance exam dates.

Once you receive notification of the HESI Entrance exam date, you will need to notify the Division of Nursing Chair, Dr. Mary Hanks, at (205) 652-3668 or mhanks@uwa.edu to schedule a time to test.

The Division of Nursing is grateful for its many community partnerships and clinical affiliations.  Due to the location of the University, our students must travel to their clinical locations.  Clinical facilities are in Demopolis, Northport, Tuscaloosa, Butler, Birmingham, and York, AL, as well as Meridian, MS.

The Division of Nursing welcomes all Licensed Practical Nurses who desire to further their education and become Registered Nurses.  Due to the nature of critical thinking, clinical reasoning, and blending of classroom and clinical content that exists between the practical nurse and associate nurse degree programs, Licensed Practical Nurses can be exempted from the first nursing clinical rotation only.  The LPN must meet certain criteria, including perform skills and critical thinking challenges to be exempted from this clinical rotation.  More information regarding this exemption can be found here:  LPN Exemption.

All questions regarding financial aid and assistance should be directed to the Office of Financial Aid or by phone at 205-652-3576.

For questions about learning accommodations available at UWA, please contact: ADA Services

Information can be found at https://online.uwa.edu/online-degrees/rn-bsn/