The Practical Nursing (PN) program meets the minimum requirements for approval by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing. The course combines classroom instruction with clinical experience.
After graduation, students are eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) administered by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing.
Individuals interested in enrolling in the program must take an entrance test administered by the college or ACT scores, must have a high school diploma or equivalent (GED), take an Nursing Entrance Test (NET) as well as meet all admission procedures listed by the Nursing Department. All students are mandated by law to have criminal background checks and be fingerprinted at the student's expense. Class size is limited to 26, beginning in either August and/or January of each year. Please contact department for further information regarding start dates and deadlines for application for this year.
Clinical practicums include travel to various clinical sites within a 60-mile radius of Black River Technical College. Students are responsible for transportation to clinical sites.
Practical Nurses (PN or LPN) care for the sick, injured, convalescing and disabled under the direction of physicians and registered nurses (RN).
The focus of the Practical Nurses' role in the hospital setting is one of TOTAL bedside care under the direction of the RN. The Practical Nurse assist the registered nurse in assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating the patient's care. They monitor vital signs, administer medication, apply dressings as well as perform procedures requiring sterile technique.
In the physician's' office and clinics, including health maintenance organizations, they may also make appointments, assist the physician with direct patient examination and care, administer medication, keep records, well as other patient oriented tasks. A LPN who works in private homes may also prepare meals and teach family members simple nursing tasks.
Graduates of Black River Technical College's Practical Nursing program can expect to find ample opportunities for employment. The field of practical nursing is expected to increase faster than the average career field through the year 2006. This growth in job opportunities for LPNs will be in response to the long-term care needs of a rapidly growing population of older people. The growth in general health care services will also contribute to the increased demand for practical nurses.
|
Pre-professional Courses |
Credits |
|
CA 1903 Introduction to Computer Concepts |
3 |
|
ENG 1003 Freshman English I |
3 |
|
NRS 2203 Basic Human Nutrition |
3 |
|
PSY 2003 Human Growth and Development |
3 |
|
ZOOL 2004 Human Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab |
4 |
|
ZOOL 2014 Human Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab |
4 |
|
MATH 1023 Math For Nurses* |
3 |
|
Total pre-professional tuition $1,610.00 |
|
|
First Semester |
Credits |
| PN 1004 Nursing I Clinical Practicum | 4 |
| PN 1007 Nursing Fundamentals | 7 |
|
PN 1002 Fundamental Pharmacology |
2 |
|
Total tuition for semester $910.00 |
|
|
Second Semester |
Credits |
|
PN 1106 Clinical Practicum I |
6 |
|
PN 1310 Medical-Surgical Nursing |
10 |
|
Total tuition for semester $1,120.00 |
|
|
Third Semester |
Credits |
|
PN 1206 Clinical Practicum II |
6 |
|
PN 1329 Nursing Specialty |
9 |
|
Total tuition for semester $1,050.00 |
|
|
Total estimated tuition cost for PN program |
$4,690.00 |
*Students must have an ASSET or ACT score high enough for MATH 1023, College Algebra, or complete the minimum of MATH 0033, Intermediate Algebra in order to enroll in Math for Nurses.
Estimated cost of tuition is based on a $70 per credit hour cost times the number of credit hours. This prices does not reflect the additional fees outlined on the program supply list.
Please refer to the official Black River Technical College Catalog for details or contact an advisor at (870)248-4000.