The Practical Nursing program meets the minimum requirements for approval by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing, University Tower Building, Suite 800, 1123 South University Avenue, Little Rock, AR 72204, (501) 686-2700. The course combines classroom instruction with clinical experience. After graduation, students are eligible to apply to take the NCLEX national examination administered by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing for licensure as a practical nurse. All students will be mandated by state law to be fingerprinted, and have a criminal back ground check by the Arkansas State Police and the FBI, at the student’s expense. Persons convicted of crimes may not be eligible to write state board examinations. See nursing program chairperson for additional information.

Individuals interested in enrolling in the program must take the entrance test(s) administered by the college and must have a high school diploma, or equivalent (GED). Prospective students will be required to:

• possess physical and mental abilities essential for safe and effective client care

• have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher

• pass a urine drug screen once enrolled in the PN program

• complete an application for the nursing program

• complete all pre-professional curricula (must have taken no longer than 5 years from application date with the exception of Introduction to Computer Concepts and Freshman English I)

• have an evaluation of GPA on pre-professional courses

• attend orientation on scheduled date

• complete nursing entrance exam on scheduled date. (Approximate cost of exam is $30.00 and is the responsibility of the

applicant.)

Once selected, students, top 5 alternates included, will be required to submit to and pass a criminal background check in order to be accepted into the program and attend clinical. The cost of this background check is approximately $40.00 and is the responsibility of the student. Applicants must complete all enrollment requirements and submit all documents to the Director of Admissions/Counseling before the student selection for each class is made. Students are required to purchase liability insurance prior to beginning Clinical Practicum. This insurance is available through a group policy at an approximate cost of $16.00/semester. Additionally, an online testing fee of $100.00 will be required each semester of the professional courses. At the beginning of the first semester, students will also be required to pay for an online skills course, at a one-time fee of approximately $50.00. 

Students attend a state wide conference for the Arkansas Licensed Practical Nursing Association during each Spring semester.  The cost of attendance is $15.00 plus a overnight stay in a hotel.