Practical Nursing

The Practical Nursing Program is designed to prepare qualified individuals to meet community nursing needs and perform those functions which are recognized as being within the scope of practical nursing and where the skill of registered nurses is not required.

The Arkansas State Board of Nursing approves the Practical Nursing Program. Graduates are eligible to submit an application to write the National Council Licensing Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). Applicants should be aware that violation of any federal, state, or local drug law or conviction of a crime might preclude licensure as a practical nurse. The Arkansas State Board of Nursing requires a state and federal criminal background check before processing an application for initial licensure. Graduation from the Practical Nursing Program at Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas does not guarantee approval from the Arkansas State Board of Nursing or from another respective state board of nursing to take the licensure examination. For Arkansas residents, please read the Arkansas Nurse Practice Act, which can be accessed on line at: https://www.arsbn.org/nurse-practice-act.  Clinical facilities may also require a criminal background check and/or drug test as a condition of clinical practice in the respective facility.  If a clinical facility denies a student permission to participate in patient care in that facility and the student cannot be placed in another clinical agency, the student must withdraw from the nursing course and required corequisite nursing course.  The Arkansas State Board of Nursing can be contacted at:  1123 S. University Avenue, Suite 800, Little Rock, AR 72204, Phone: 1-501-686-2700, Fax: 1-501-686-2714, Website: http://www.arsbn.org.

Admission

Students are admitted to the Practical Nursing Program (PN) every third semester on the Helena-West Helena and DeWitt campuses. Students who wish to be considered for admission to the PN Program must meet the following criteria:

1. Fulfill all college admission requirements.
2. Be at least 18 years of age.
3. Submit official high school transcript documenting graduation from high school or official Arkansas High School Diploma/GED certificate and official transcripts from all previously attended colleges to the Registrar’s Office and PN Program Coordinator. These documents must be received in the Nursing Department on the DeWitt campus by the application deadline date.
4. Document a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average in all courses taken at PCCUA.
5. Complete EH 113/ENGL 10103 (ENGL 1013), Composition I and MS 143/MATH 10133 Technical Math or MS 1123 , Intermediate Algebra, or higher, with a grade of “C” or better.  Applicants who repeat EH 113/ENGL 10103 (ENGL 1013) or MS 1123, MS 143/MATH 10133 or higher more than one (1) time in the past five (5) years to remove a grade of “D”, “F”, “W”, or “EW” will not be considered for admission.
6. Document a total 9th grade reading level on the Nelson-Denny Reading Test by the application deadline. The Nelson-Denny Reading Test must be taken at PCCUA within three (3) months of: (1) the PN program application deadline for regular applicants, or (2) submission of a late application to the program. Students on the Helena-West Helena campus should contact the Advising Center to schedule a time to take the Nelson-Denny Reading Test. Students on the DeWitt campus should contact the PN Program Coordinator on the DeWitt Campus to schedule a time to take the Nelson-Denny Reading Test. The Nelson-Denny Reading test may only be taken once per application year.
7. Document a minimum score of 47 on the ATI Critical Thinking Exam by the application deadline. This exam must be taken at PCCUA within three (3) months of: (1) the PN program application deadline for regular applicants or (2) submission of a late application to the program. Students on the Helena-West Helena campus should contact the Advising Center to schedule a time to take the ATI Critical Thinking Exam. Students on the DeWitt campus should contact the PN Program Coordinator on the DeWitt campus to schedule a time to take the ATI Critical Thinking Exam. The ATI Critical Thinking Exam may only be taken once per application year.
8. Submit a completed PN Program application to the PN Program Coordinator on the DeWitt campus. The application must be in the Nursing Department on the DeWitt campus by June 1st for admission to the fall semester and October 1st for admission to the spring semester.
9. BY 154/BIOL 24004 and BY 164/BIOL 24104 with a grade of “C” or better taken within the last five (5) years may be substituted for PNP 103/PNUR 10363 prior to admission to the PN program.
10. Students who speak English as a second language and take the NG ACCUPLACER ESL Exam to prove proficiency in English. The following scores are required in each category.
    • Listening: minimum score of 106
    • Reading: minimum score of 116
    • WritePlacer ESL: a minimum score of 5
11. Rare exceptions for individuals seeking admission may be made by the Faculty Committee.

All students who meet minimum admission criteria will be accepted unless the number of qualified applicants exceeds space available.  This means MEETING THE MINIMUM CRITERIA FOR ADMISSION OR TAKING COURSES REQUIRED FOR THE TECHNICAL CERTIFICATE DOES NOT GUARANTEE ADMISSION TO THE PN PROGRAM.

When the number of qualified applicants exceeds space available, the selection process will be implemented, and admission will become competitive.

Selection Process

1. Qualified applicants will be ranked from highest to lowest by the score earned on the ATI Critical Thinking Exam.
2. When two (2) or more applicants have an equal score on the ATI Critical Thinking Exam, applicants will be admitted according to the date and time the application was received in the Nursing Department Office on the DeWitt campus.
3. Students initially not selected, will be placed on a waiting list from highest to lowest by the score earned on the ATI Critical Thinking Exam, and the date and time the application was received. Spaces that become available before the first day of classes will be filled from the waiting list.
4. Applicants not selected for admission and/or applicants who elect not to enroll in the Practical Nursing Program must repeat the application process which includes but is not limited to: submitting a new application to the Practical Nursing Program as well as repeating the Nelson-Denny Reading and ATI Critical Thinking exams within three (3) months of the application deadline.

Admission After Application Deadline

When space is available, qualified applicants who apply after the deadline will be considered for admission on a first-come, first-served basis.

Enrollment Process

Before enrolling in first semester PN courses, the student must provide the following documents:

1. Completed Health Statement
2. Proof of immunization compliance
   • Current Td or Tdap
   • Two (2) Varicella or a positive titer
   • Two (2) MMRs, if born after 1957 or positive titers
   • Initiation of Hepatitis B series or a positive titer
3. Proof of TB skin test (Must be valid for the entire fall and spring academic year.)
4. Signed Communicable Disease Statement
5. Current US federal or state issued photo ID, examples include:
   • US passport
   • US military ID
   • State driver’s license
6. Proof of professional liability insurance (Must be valid for the entire fall and spring academic year.)
7. Attend scheduled mandatory orientation session for nursing the week of fall or spring registration.

No late enrollment is allowed. Students are expected to furnish their own transportation to and from the clinical area.

After Enrollment

Proof of Influenza (flu) immunization is required by November 1st of each academic year.

Students admitted to the PN program on the distance Helena-West Helena campus are expected to come on occasion to the DeWitt campus to participate in scheduled program activities.

Alternate Admission 

The number of unfilled spaces for each class is determined by availability of faculty and clinical facilities.

Students may also enter the program by transferring from another practical nursing program or as re-entry as space allows. 

1. Transfer students are those who left another nursing program and are seeking to enroll with or without advanced placement in the PCCUA program.
   • Transfer students will not receive an application for admission to the PN Program until the PN Program Coordinator receives a letter of good standing from the Director/Chair/Dean of the program from which the student is transferring. Good standing is defined as being eligible for enrollment in the program from which the student is transferring.
   • Transfer students must contact the PN Program Coordinator to discuss placement in the program.
2. Applications may be obtained from the PN Program Coordinator on the DeWitt campus.
3. The completed application must be received in the office of the PN Program Coordinator on the DeWitt campus no later than June 1st to be considered for admission to the fall semester or October 1st to be considered for admission to the spring semester. No late applications will be accepted.
4. Students seeking admission by transfer will be ranked from highest to lowest by the score earned on the ATI Critical Thinking Exam and admitted on a 1:1 ratio with students seeking readmission until either group or space available is exhausted.
5. When two (2) or more transfer applicants have an equal score on the ATI Critical Thinking Exam, applicants will be admitted according to the date and time the application was received in the Nursing Department Office on the DeWitt campus.
6. Applicants who are not selected or who elect not to enroll must complete the entire admission process which includes, but is not limited to: (1) submitting another application to the program, (2) repeating the Nelson-Denny Reading and ATI Critical Thinking Exams within three (3) months of the application deadline, (3) meeting Drug Dosage Calculation Exam requirements, and (4) demonstrating Level I skill competency requirements to be considered again.
7. Rare exceptions to the Alternate Admission Policy can be made by the Faculty Committee.

Skill Competency Exam

Demonstration of skill competency is a prerequisite for students seeking alternate admission to Levels II and III.  Skill competency evaluation times will be posted on the program Webpage.  Students seeking alternate admission to Level II must demonstrate proficiency in taking a complete set of vital signs (BP, P, RR).  Students seeking alternate admission to Level III, must demonstrate proficiency in taking a complete set of vital signs (BP, P, RR), administration of oral and parenteral medications, and catheterization.  Skill check-off times are scheduled with the PN Program Coordinator and are posted on the PCCUA program webpage.  The applicant must pass the skill-check-off within three (3) months of re-enrollment.  A maximum of three (3) opportunities are offered to demonstrate competency.  Any missed skill competency evaluation will be counted as a fail.  Applicants who fail to demonstrate skill competency will not be eligible for enrollment. 

Drug Dosage Calculation Competency Exam

The Drug Dosage Calculation Competency Exam is a prerequisite for all alternate admission students except for transfer students seeking enrollment in Level I.  Exam times are scheduled with the PN Program Coordinator and posted on the program webpage. The applicant must pass the Drug Dosage Calculation Competency Exam within three (3) months of enrollment.  A maximum of three (3) opportunities will be provided to score 90% or above on the exam. Only a basic calculator with the capacity to add, subtract, multiply, and divide can be used. No calculators with advanced functions are allowed.  Any missed exam will be counted as a fail. Applicants who fail to score a minimum of 90% on the Drug Dosage Calculation Competency Exam will not be eligible for enrollment.

Advanced Placement for EMTs and CNAs

Licensed or unlicensed emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and certified or non-certified nursing assistants (CNAs) do not receive advanced placement in the Practical Nursing Program.

Developmental Education Courses

Students who do not meet the minimum requirements for admission may take developmental educational courses to increase their skill level. The developmental education courses have pre-established exit levels.  Developmental education courses or SAT, ACT, ACCUPLACER scores must have been taken within the past four (4) years.

Policies for Progression for Students Admitted in the PN Program

1. Required nursing courses must be taken in the sequence specified in the Practical Nursing Program curricular pattern.  Failure in a nursing course makes the student ineligible to progress until the course is successfully completed. In addition, once student enrolls in a PNP course for credit, the student does not have the option to withdraw from the course and request course substitution.  For example, once a student enrolls in PNP 103/PNUR 10363 for credit, the student may not use BY 154/BIOL 24004 (BIOL 2404) and BY 164/BIOL 24104 (BIOL 2414) as a substitution for PNP 103/PNUR 10363.
2. Students admitted for the first time to Level I of the Practical Nursing Program are allowed a maximum of one (1) readmission to the program.  No required nursing course may be repeated more than one time.
3. All students who repeat a required practical nursing course also must repeat all required corequisite nursing courses regardless of a previously earned grade of “C” or better in the corequisite nursing course(s).  A grade of “C” or better is required in all repeated nursing courses to progress to the next level or graduation.
4. Once admitted to the nursing program, students should complete the required curricular pattern within 150% of the time four (4) semesters.
5. In Level I, PNP 103/PNUR 10363 and PNP 109/PNUR 10969 are corequisites.  A student who withdraws or is dismissed from one (1) course must withdraw from the other.
6. Nursing courses may not be audited.
7. All students are required to have a current American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support CPR card before attending any Level I clinical rotations.  Students who fail to successfully complete AHA CPR certification in Level I are ineligible for clinical and will be dropped from all Level I practical nursing courses.  The student’s CPR card must remain current through enrollment in the program.  Electronic recertification will not be accepted.
8. A minimum grade of “C” is mandatory in required nursing courses.
9. Students enrolled in the nursing program must be familiar with all policies in the current College Catalog, student handbooks, and posted on the PCCUA Web. The Student Handbook is available in the Registrar’s Office. The nursing program supplies the PN Student Handbook upon enrollment and at the beginning of each academic year. 
10. Rare exceptions to the Progression Policy will be considered by the Faculty Committee.  The student must submit a timely, written request to seek an exception.