Admission Criteria
Approximate Costs
Program Requirements
Academic Map - Practical Nursing (Technical Certificate)
All prospective students must take the Next-Generation ACCUPLACER test. The Next-Generation ACCUPLACER may be taken at any location. The following scores have to be obtained in order to be considered for admittance to the PN Program: Reading and Writing score must be a minimum of 256 in both categories. The reading and writing scores will be averaged together and we will select from the top score down until all available slots are filled. The math score will be used as a tie breaker.
For classes that start in January, the Next-Generation ACCUPLACER test must be completed and scores must be turned into the Nursing Department by the 2nd Thursday in October by 4:30 pm. If score requirements are met, you must attend the mandatory meeting the 3rd Friday in October time will be provided when scores are turned in.
For classes that start in May, Next-Generation ACCUPLACER test must be completed and scores must be turned into the Nursing Department by the 2nd Thursday in March by 4:30 pm. If score requirements are met, you must attend the mandatory meeting the 3rd Friday in March times will be provided when scores are turned in.
Saline Campus has same requirements as Malvern Campus
Approved by Arkansas State Board of Nursing
The Practical Nursing (PN) program is designed to prepare students for employment in the health care field and for the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). The 12-month program admits students twice a year in January and May. Class size is limited to 50 students in Malvern and 30 students at the Saline campus. All students accepted into the Practical Nursing Program will be required to have state and national criminal background checks and will pay all associated fees before set deadline. Conviction of certain crimes may make the applicant ineligible to attend certain clinical sites. If any clinical site denies student access for any reason, the student will not be allowed to progress through the program. Random drug screening may be utilized at any time during the course of the program at the student’s expense. The Arkansas State Board of Nursing (ASBN) may refuse to issue or shall revoke the license of any person who is found guilty of or pleads guilty of or nolo contendere to any offense listed in 17-87-312 of the Act 1208 of 1999 (see ASBN website for more information at http://www.arsbn.arkansas.gov).
Students spend time in the classroom and in clinical experiences. Practical Nursing students are prepared for giving direct and primary nursing care under the immediate supervision of the clinical instructor, staff nurse, and/or physicians in the cooperating clinical facilities. Clinicals are completed in nursing homes, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities. Clinical practicum is planned to provide students with varied experiences; therefore, students may have a portion of their clinical experience at facilities in many surrounding areas.
Students who complete the program will be eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nursing (NCLEX-PN) and should have acquired the skills and performance of nursing skills in the health field. A second criminal background check is required before students will be permitted to sit for the NCLEX-PN exam.
All applicants will have an equal opportunity regardless of race, age, disability, sex, creed, religion, or nationality. Not all applicants are accepted into the PN program. Applicants with special needs due to disability must make this fact known prior to admission, so that necessary accommodations may be made.