Practical Nursing

The certificate program admits students twice a year: April 15 (application deadline) for an August start, and Oct. 15 (application deadline) for a January start. Classroom instruction is coordinated with clinical experience in the nursing care of patients at the local hospital and nursing homes. Upon successful completion of the program, students are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for Practical Nurses. The PN program is approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing. 

Program Learning Outcomes

• Graduates of the Practical Nursing Program will provide competent nursing care in a variety of settings including the following aspects; 
  • Coordinated care 
  • Safety and infection control 
  • Health promotion and maintenance 
  • Basic Care and comfort 
  • Pharmacologic therapies 
  • Reduction of risk potential 
  • Physiologic adaptation 
• Graduates of the Practical Nursing Program will exhibit caring behaviors including: 
  • Psychosocial integrity 
• Graduates of the Practical Nursing Program will exhibit professional behaviors including: 
  • Coordinated care 

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for admission into the PN Program the student must:

 

•  be accepted as a student in the college (see admission procedures). 
• complete and submit the PN Program application by April 15 for the August class and October 15 for the January class.  The written application for admission must be renewed yearly.  Applicants applying after the deadline will be considered for admission if space is available and they meet the admission criteria as stated in the admission requirements 
• must complete the ACT or ACCUPLACER Test and have scores sent to Northark (see College Requirements for Placement). Transfer students must submit a complete transcript. 
• complete all college preparatory classes based on scores on the ACT or ACCUPLACER Test with a “C” or above before being accepted into the PN Program. 
• have official high school transcript or GED scores sent to the Registrar’s Office at Northark. 
• have official transcripts from colleges/universities attended sent to the Registrar’s Office at Northark.  Must hold a 2.5 grade point average or higher for entry into the program. 
• complete the prerequisite course BIOL 1434 Fundamentals of Anatomy and Physiology or BIOL 2214 Anatomy and Physiology I and BIOL 2224 Anatomy and Physiology II with a minimum grade of a “C”.  It must be successfully completed within five years of entry into the program. 
• have a CNA certification and submit it with the application. 
• submit a completed Health Statement and Technical Standards form prior to first day of class verifying good physical and mental health. 
• submit to a urine 10-panel drug screen. The drug screen will be administered at any time, without warning to the student, once the applicant has accepted a spot in the program.  A student taking any prescription drug that will or may show up in a drug screen must be able to produce a valid drug prescription in their name. If the screen comes back positive or if the student refuses a drug screen, then the student forfeits their place in the program. 
• submit the following immunizations prior to the first day of class: 
  • MMR - Two MMRs or a positive rubella titer for antibodies 
  • Hepatitis B- evidence of receipt of at least two doses of the vaccine for Hepatitis B followed later with documentation that all three doses of the vaccine have been received within eight months of the first dose or a confirmed positive Hepatitis B titer. 
  • Tdap -within the last 10 years. The Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Tdap) immunization is needed every 10 years to remain protected. 
  • Tuberculin (TB) skin test - Two negative TB test (within the last year) must be on record. The TB skin test is required annually and must remain current throughout the program.  If the current results expire prior to graduation, then new test results are required by the start of the program. If a negative TB test cannot be provided, a certification of health or physicians statement that the student is disease free must be provided yearly to the nursing program. 
  • Varicella - series of two vaccines or positive titer. 
  •  Influenza Vaccination- an annual flu shot is required for clinical sites. 
  • COVID-19 Vaccine - full set of vaccines depending on the type, either one or series of two. Students must comply with the established COVID-19 clinical procedures and guidelines of each clinical site. 

It is the student’s responsibility to ensure immunizations are current for the duration of the program.  Students who are not in compliance with these requirements will be unable to meet clinical requirements and will be dismissed from the program. 

 

• be certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) “Healthcare Provider Course” prior to entry in the PN Program.  Students must maintain certification throughout the program.  CPR must be obtained through the American Heart Association. If the current certification expires prior to graduation, then a new certification is required by the start of the program. 
• be provided malpractice insurance which is obtained through paying student fees. 
• students who are offered a place in an entering class must accept by e-mail, or in writing by the date indicated on the acceptance letter or the position will be given to the next alternate. Acceptance is confirmed by completing and turning in the Health Statement form to the director. 
• attend an all-day orientation session prior to starting the program. 
• Upon admission to the program, the student will submit to a criminal background check prior to attending any clinical experience. If you have pled guilty or been convicted of a crime, you must check this on the PN Program application. For further information regarding gaining licensure in the state of Arkansas after being convicted of a crime see Section III which contains the Nurse Practice Act Subchapter 3 17-87-312 and 17-3-102. 
• students must be able to attend clinical. If for any reason (Criminal Background, previous employment, etc.) a clinical site will not allow the student to attend clinical, then the student will not be able to fulfill the clinical requirements of the program and will be dismissed from the PN Program 

Falsification of any information in the application process may result in dismissal from the program.

• Program Application Required:  Yes (Application Link)

 

Prerequisites: (Students register in the Pre-Allied Health CP and complete the following courses from that degree)

BIOL 1434 Fundamentals of Anatomy and Physiology  or BIOL 2214 Anatomy and Physiology I  and BIOL 2224 Anatomy and Physiology II  

NOTE: Fundamentals of A&P is the Minimum requirement for this program. A& P I and A&P II may substitute for this course, but require prereqs of: Fundamentals of Chemistry (waived for HS Chemistry with B or better in both semesters) or General Biology for majors, or Fundamentals of A & P; required for A&P I.