LPN Programs in Arkansas

The Arkansas Northeastern College Practical Nursing Program is approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing and is currently seeking approval to reduce the 13 month program to a 10 and a half month program.

The program combines nursing courses with practical experience in clinical settings including hospitals and other health care facilities in the service area. The PN program is offered at both the ANC Burdette and Paragould Campuses.

Admission Requirements for the program:

1. Complete admission application to enter ANC
2. Official High School Transcript or GED Equivalency certificate and official college transcripts from colleges previously attended (cumulative 2.0 minimum grade point average required for all college work)
3. Recent ACT, SAT or COMPASS scores (taken with the last four years)
4. Complete required pre-requisite courses for the program  (within the last 5 years)
5. Score a minimum of 100 on the NLN PAX PN
6. Submit Immunizations Record

Deadline for application is the 1st of March.

Admission to the program will be based on a selective process based on standard admission criteria established by the school. The ANC PN program does not allow advanced placement.

The program selects applicants for enrollment in the fall semester in the preceding spring.

The LPN Program at Baptist Health Schools is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools and the program is approved by Arkansas State Board of Nursing.

The program offers extensive clinical experience. The program is 2 semesters in length with classes beginning in January and in July.

Admission requirements for this program are:

1. High school Diploma or GED
2. Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
3. ACT composite score (taken in the last ten years)

The application deadline for enrollment in January is the 1st of the preceding December and for classes beginning in July the deadline for completed applications is the 1st of June.

Accepted students will be required to attend classes four days a week although a limited number of qualified students may be allowed to cover a portion of the curriculum through web-based instruction.

Graduates from the Practical Nursing Program are eligible to apply to sit for the State Board Licensure exam.

The Black River Technical College Practical Nursing program is accredited by Arkansas State Board of Nursing. The program is a combination of in class instruction and clinical practice.

The program accepts students for enrollment in January and in August. It meets the minimum requirements set by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing.

Admission Requirements:

• Complete application for the Nursing Program
• Possess a High School Diploma or GED equivalent
• Possess cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher
• Complete nursing entrance exam on scheduled date.
• 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)

Applications must be submitted by the 31^st of October of January enrollment and April 1^st for August enrollment.

Applicants who are selected for the program will be expected to submit to and pass a criminal background check to be accepted into the program and to attend clinical practice. Applicants will be required to cover the estimated 40 dollar charge for the background check.

Students will be required to purchase liability insurance as part of a group policy at an estimated cost of 16 dollars every semester before the start of Clinical practices.

Graduates from the program will be eligible to apply to sit for the National Council Licensure but completing the program does not guarantee eligibility to write state board examinations.
 

The Cossatot Community College, University of Arkansas Practical Nursing is approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing. The program has an 11 month day program beginning in August and ending in June and an 18 month evening program beginning in January and ending in June the following year.

Admission Requirements for the program:

1. High school diploma or GED equivalency certification
2. Nurses Entrance Test
3. ACT or ASSET/COMPASS score
4. Each student must complete all prerequisite courses prior to entering the LPN program.

Deadline for Application for the day program is 1st of March and the deadline for the evening program is 31st  August 31st. Students not accepted into the program will need to complete a new application in subsequent years.

The selection process will be based on admission exam scores, prerequisite grades (76%), and questionnaire results.

Successful applicants will be required to submit to a background check and drug screening which will be randomly carried out throughout the year. Students will also receive all required immunization requirements before entering the program.

The program will follow a special calendar with regular classes running 5-6 hours each and clinical days will be 8-12 hours each.

Graduates from the PN program will be eligible to apply for the state licensing examination to become an LPN.

The North Arkansas College Practical Nursing program has been fully approved by the Arkansas State Board of nursing and has a tradition of a close to 100% passrate on the National Council Licensure Exam.

The program offers two enrollment periods- January and August for 11 month long classes.

The Basic Admission requirements are:

• ACT, ASSET or COMPASS test results
• High School Transcript or GED Scores
• All College Transcripts

The application information must be submitted by April 15th for August enrollment and October 15th for January enrollment to be considered for that year.

Accepted applicants will be required to submit the following information on beginning classes.

• Health Statement Form
• Immunizations
• Hepatitis B Vaccine Series
• MMR or Positive Rubella Titer for antibodies
• Tubercuin Skin Test 
• Tdap
• Varicella Verification
• Current CPR certification 
• Criminal Background Check

Students will be entered into the student immunization tracer and certified record review upon enrollment. Successful applicants will be required to attend an all day orientation session prior to the launch of the program.

The Northwest Technical Institute offers nursing education to students entering the health care profession by qualifying for licensure by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing. The Institute is accredited by the Commission Council on Occupational Education. Graduates from this program are also able to enroll in the Associate Degree Nursing program at NWACC or the Bachelor's Degree of Nursing Program at U of A.

Requirements for Admission

1. Submit COMPASS and TEAS test scores.
2. Official copy of your high school transcript or GED scores.
3. Official college transcripts, if applicable.
4. Immunization records for measles/rubella (only if born on or after January 1, 1957).
5. Two references (Job or Personal).

The practical nursing program at Northwest is offered in three semesters and one summer term.

Students will be admitted for CNA to LPN track (needs to be a CNA for at least 6 months) and the LPN track.

The applications are processed between August 1st to November 1st for classes commencing on the 1st of the following January. Preferences will be given to higher scores on the COMPASS and TEAS scores if the number of qualified applicant should exceed the 50 slots available.

Graduates from the Practical Nursing Program of Northwest Technical Institute are eligible to apply for licensure by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing.

The Ozarka College LPN program is approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing. 

The program is offered for 3 semesters and it take 18 months to complete. It begins in January and its only avilable in Melbourne Campus. The college also offers two 11 months programs at its Ash Flat and Mountain View Campuses.

Clinical experience for this program will be in a range of clinical setting in the four county area.

Basic Admission Requirements:

1. Official high school or college transcripts or GED
2. Proof of immunization against measles, mumps, and rubella.
3. ACT, SAT, ASSET or Compass assessment.
4. submit to a criminal background check

Applications for January enrollment at the Melbourne Campus are accepted between the 1st of September and the 1st of November.

The application period for classes beginning in August at all campuses is between the 1st of February and the 1st of April.

Graduates from the program are eligible to apply for the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX-PN) after completing classes to be licensed to practice.

The South Arkansas Community College Practical Nursing program is approved by the Arkansas State Board for Nursing. The program has three tracks: one which is a full time day program, the second track is modified evening and spring or modified evening and fall program and the final track is the LPN to RN matrix.  

Admission Requirements for the program are:

1. Official copy of high school transcript or GED equivalency with transcript, including all college transcripts if applicable
2. Complete general admissions requirements for the college
3. Complete and submit Health and Natural Sciences Application Packet
4. Complete pre-nursing pre-requisites with a 2.0 GPA
5. Complete the HOBET 5 with an overall composite and reading, math, English comprehension score (the applicant will be responsible for payment)

The following courses are pre-requisites for the LPN program at South Arkansas Community College: Anatomy & Physiology 1 W/Lab, Diet and Nutrition and Match for Nursing.

Applicants will be selected on a point system from a combination of pre-requisite GPA, total GPA and HOBET 5 scores.     

Successful applicants will be required to submit to drug screening and a background check upon entry into the program. Students will also be required to provide proof of current AHA CPR certification or an Arkansas Department of Health approved equivalent program.

Applicants will be required to provide proof of PPD skin test, IGRA test or evidence of a negative chest X-ray and provide proof of Hepatitis B immunizations (or sign Declination Statement) and provide proof of immunity to Varicella (which can consist of proof of vaccination, physician verifying student had varicella or varicella antibody titer indicating immunity).

The Southeast Arkansas practical nursing program is approved by the Arkansas state board of nursing through regular evaluations. The program prepares students to offer direct and primary nursing care under the supervision of a clinical instructor, staff RN and physicians in cooperating clinical facilities. The program also serves as a bridge for students who intend to continue education in nursing or other allied health professions.

Students will be selected for enrollment on the basis of a point system based on the following criteria:

1. Completion of all general admission procedures of the College.
2. Completion of the Nursing and Allied Health Application for Admission form.
3. COMPASS scores of 51% in Math (Elementary Algebra), 74% in English, and 81% in Reading; or ACT Composite Score of 18; or completion of 15 semester hours of general education applicable to the program with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.
4. College transcript documenting successful completion of Anatomy and Physiology I and II, Basic Nutrition, and Computer Basics.

Application deadline for August admission is the 2nd Friday of the March and the 1st Friday in October for January admission. Admission will depend on date of completion of application should the number of qualified applicants exceed the slots available.

Students accepted to the program are required to show evidence of current AHA CPR certification valid for the entire period of enrollment, Functional Abilities Test or Chest X-Ray, Hepatitis B Series or Signature on SEARK Vaccination Waiver Claim Form. Random drug screening could be require at any time during the enrollment period at the students expense and students in Allied Health programs with clinical components will be assessed a fee for malpractice insurance.

Students are able to sit for the NCLEX-PN to obtain licensing as a practical nurse after completing the program. A student who successfully completes this program will also be able to transfer up to fourteen semester credit hours to a college or university.

The Southern Arkansas University Tech Nursing Program is a program approved by the Arkansas State Nursing Board. The program offers in class instruction in theory and clinical experience.

The practical Nursing program is offered every year with classes beginning in July for graduation in May of the following year.

Admission Requirements:

1. A high school diploma or equivalent GED
2. Official copy of college(s) transcripts (if applicable)
3. Immunizations Record, with proof of 2 measles & 1 rubella shot or 2 MMR shots.
4. ACT, ASSET, COMPASS, or SAT scores
5. The TEAS V test will be given every Wednesday January 11 through March 7th, 8:30 a.m. at SAU

Applications are accepted from January to March.

Successful applicants into the Practical Nursing Program will be required to submit to a criminal background check before admission. A state and federal criminal background check will be performed before graduation as persons convicted of crimes may or may not be eligible to sit for the state licensure exam.

A mandatory drug screen will be performed through the Ouachita County Medical Center before admission and students will be required to submit a current Arkansas Health card to the Nursing Office.

The University of Arkansas (Forth Smith) LPN program is approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing. The program is a twelve month full time program which measures student achievement on the basis of predetermined minimum levels of achievement against a competency based criterion referenced system. The program will supplement classroom instruction with clinical experience.

Admissions Requirements:

1. Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
2. ACT or COMPASS (taken within the last four years)
3. Have a minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA for all college course work
4. NLN PAX-PN score: 105
5. Clean state and federal criminal background check. People convicted of crime will need to obtain permission from the Arkansas State of Board of Nursing before sitting for the licensure exam.

Students will be selected on the basis of quality points earned for courses on LPN degree plan and score earned on the NLN PAX-PN.

The application deadline for enrollment into the program in the fall semester is the 1st of June.

The LPN program at Pulaski takes 11 months to complete. The program is offred from August to June every year.

The non-traditional track which is a 22 month certificate program starts in August of each even year and ending in June of the subsequent academic year.

Basic Admision Requirments:

1. Kaplan Admission Test scores
2. most be 18 years of age
3. high school diploma or equivanlent (GED)
4. Medical Certificates
5. ACT or Compass
6. Clean criminal background and drug screenings
7. Completion of the pre-requisite courses with a C grade or higher from an accredited college, completed in the spring semester before the fall of intended enrollment.

Application deadline for enrollment is the April 15^th of the year of intended enrollment.

The traditional or the full time track has 40 positions available each year and the nontraditional or the partime track make 10 positions available.

The program will supplement instruction in the classroom with clinical experience at hospitals in the area.