Nursing (ADN)

The Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) Program is approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing and accredited by the Accreditation  Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Program graduates are eligible to submit an application to write the National Council Licensing Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Applicants should be aware violation of any federal, state, or local drug law or conviction of a crime may preclude licensure as a registered nurse. The Arkansas State Board of Nursing requires a state and federal criminal background check before processing an application for initial licensure. Thus, graduation from the Associate Degree 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 requirements in the Arkansas Nurse Practice Act, which can be accessed online 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.  

The Associate Degree Nursing Program at Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas meets the state education requirements for a registered nursing license in the states of Arkansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee. Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas has not determined if the Associate Degree Nursing Program at Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas meets the state education requirements in any other state, any U.S. Territory, or the District of Columbia. Contact the state regulatory agency for nursing in any other state for which this information is needed.  The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) has resources that may be helpful.

• Link to every Nursing Practice Act.
• Link to FAQs regarding the impact of 34 CFR 668.43 on nursing programs

For further program information, the Arkansas State Board of Nursing may be contacted at:  University Tower Building, Suite 800, 1123 S. University Avenue, Little Rock, AR 72204-1619, Phone:  1-501-686-2700, Fax: 1-501-686-2714, Website:  http://www.arsbn.org.

The Associate Nursing program at Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas at Helena-West Helena campus located in Helena-West Helena, Arkansas is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30326, (404) 975-5000.  The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the associate nursing program is Continuing Accreditation. View the public information disclosed by the ACEN regarding this program at http://www.acenursing.us/accreditedprograms/programSearch.htm.

The curriculum focuses on six (6) major concepts: (1) patient-centered care, (2) clinical judgment, (3) quality improvement processes, (4) collaboration and teamwork, (5) information management, as well as (6) leadership, management, legal, and ethical principles. Students are introduced to these concepts early in the curriculum and develop a more in-depth understanding of these concepts as they progress across the curriculum. Emphasis is placed on the provision of safe, quality, evidence-based, patient-centered nursing care across the lifespan. Students are taught to critically think when applying the nursing process to make correct clinical judgments when providing care and interacting with the interdisciplinary team. The importance of teamwork and collaboration to achieve patient-centered nursing care as well as identifying and developing methods for improving the safety and quality of patient care are stressed. Information principles, techniques, systems, and patient care technology are used to communicate, manage knowledge, mitigate error, and support decision-making when providing safe, quality, patient-centered nursing care. Leadership, management, legal, and ethical principles that guide nursing practice are addressed throughout the program.

Traditional Track Admission

Students are admitted to the Helena-West Helena and Stuttgart campuses every year. Students who wish to be considered for admission to the Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program must meet the following criteria:

1. Fulfill all college admission requirements.
2. Complete all required developmental education courses before making application to the nursing program.
3. Submit ACT score, if taken, and official transcripts from all colleges previously attended to the Registrar’s Office and the Department of Nursing on the Helena-West Helena campus. These documents must be received in the Nursing Department Office on the Helena-West Helena campus by June 1st.
4. Document a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average in all courses taken at PCCUA.
5. Students who transfer required nursing curriculum support courses must have a “C” or better and equivalent credit hours per course to receive PCCUA credit.
6. Complete BY 154 (BIOL 2404), Anatomy and Physiology I, within the past five (5)years with a grade of “C” or better. Applicants who repeat any required science course more than one (1) time within the past five (5) years to remove a grade of “W”, “EW”, “D” or ”F” will not  be considered for admission.
7. Complete MS 123 (MATH 1103), College Algebra, and EH 113 (ENGL 1013), Composition I, with a grade of “C” or better. Applicants who repeat a required math or English course more than one (1) time within the past five (5) years to remove a grade of “W”, “EW”, “D” or ”F” will not  be considered for admission.
8. Document a total 10th grade reading level on the Nelson-Denny Reading Test (NDRT) by June 1st. The NDRT must be taken at PCCUA within three (3) months of: (1) the ADN program application deadline for regular applicants or (2) submission of a late application to the program. Students on the HWH campus should contact the Advising Center to schedule a time to take the NDRT. Students on the Stuttgart campus should contact the Learning Center Coordinator on the Stuttgart campus to schedule a time to take the NDRT. The NDRT may only be taken once per application year.
9. Document a minimum score of 55 on the ATI Critical Thinking Exam by June 1st. This exam must be taken at PCCUA within three (3) months of: (1) the ADN 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 Stuttgart campus should contact the Learning Center Coordinator on the Stuttgart 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.
10. Students who speak English as a second language must also take the NG ACCUPLACER ESL Exam to prove proficiency in English. The following scores are required in each category.
    • Listening: A minimum score of 106
    • Reading: A minimum score of 116
    • WritePlacer ESL: A minimum score of 5
11. Submit a completed application to the ADN Program on the Helena-West Helena campus. The application must be received in the Nursing Department Office on the Helena-West Helena campus by June 1st.  Incomplete applications will not be considered.
12. Rare exceptions for individuals seeking admission may be made by the Promotion and Graduation 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 NURSING DEGREE DOES NOT GUARANTEE ADMISSION TO THE ADN 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 traditional track 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 Helena-West Helena 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 fall classes will be filled from the waiting list.
4. Applicants not selected for admission and/or applicants who elect not to enroll in the fall nursing class must repeat the entire admission process which includes, but is not limited to, submitting a new application to the ADN 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 submit an application and transcripts from all colleges attended after the published deadline will be considered for admission on a first-come, first-served basis. A percentage of this available space is reserved for late applicants enrolled in one or more PCCUA summer semester prerequisite science, English, and/or math courses. Reserved space is only for PCCUA late applicants who successfully complete required prerequisite science, English, and/or math courses the summer semester immediately before the fall semester the applicant is seeking admission to the ADN program.

Enrollment Process

Before enrolling in ADN 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 a scheduled mandatory orientation session for nursing the week of fall registration.
8. Rare exceptions may be made by the Promotion and Graduation Committee for late applicants.

No late enrollment is allowed.

After Enrollment

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

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

Transfer Students

Transfer students are those students who left another nursing program and are seeking to enroll in Level II of the PCCUA traditional track ADN program.  Students seeking admission to the traditional track by transfer must meet all program admission requirements as well as all Level I progression requirements.  

Qualified transfer students will not receive an application for admission to the ADN program until the Dean of Allied Health receives a letter of good standing from the Director, Chair, or 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. 

The completed application for admission to the traditional tract must be received in the Nursing Department Office on the Helena-West Helena campus by October 1st to be considered for the spring semester. Applications received after October 1st will not be considered.

Students seeking admission to the traditional track by transfer will be ranked from highest to lowest by the score earned on the ATI Critical Thinking Exam. Transfer students will be admitted by ranking to the program after all students seeking readmission and/or advanced placement have been admitted and/or until space available is exhausted.

Advanced Placement Track

Students may also enter the ADN program by advanced placement. Students seeking advanced placement must meet all program admission requirements as well as all Level I progression requirements.  

Advanced placement students are only licensed practical nurses (LPNs) or licensed psychiatric technical nurses (LPTNs) who are granted advanced placement in the ADN program.

LPNs and LPTNs who seek admission to the ADN program within 12 months of graduation may apply to the program without having work experience.

LPNs and LPTNs who seek admission to the ADN program after 12 months of graduation may apply to the program provided that they have during the past 12 to 24 months at least 1,000 hours of nursing employment in an acute- or long-term care setting.

LPNs and LPTNs who seek admission to the ADN program after 12 months of graduation and during the past 24 months do not have at least 1,000 hours of nursing employment in an acute- or long-term care setting will be required to take the NLN Nursing Accelerated Challenge (NACE) I PN to RN exam and the NLN Normal Nutrition Achievement test.  Applicants must achieve a minimum decision score of 75 on the NACE I PN to RN exam and the 70th percentile or above on the Normal Nutrition exam to be considered for advanced placement.

LPNs or LPTNs who receive advanced placement will enter Level II of the ADN program. Upon successful completion of Level IV of the ADN program, seven (7) semester credit hours will be awarded for NG 107, Concepts of Nursing Care for Patients with Chronic Stable Conditions.  

A limited number of spaces may be available for students seeking advanced placement.  Once an LPN or LPTN enrolls in Level I of the ADN program, advanced placement is no longer an option for progression.

Advanced Placement Admission 

1. Students seeking advanced placement must contact the Dean of Allied Health to discuss placement in the program.
2. Applications may be obtained from the ADN administrative assistant on the Helena-West Helena campus.
3. Students seeking advanced placement must: (1) meet all traditional program admission requirements by October 1st, (2) meet all Level I progression requirements, (3) meet Drug Dosage Calculation Exam requirements, and (4) demonstrate competency of Level I skills.
4. The completed application must be received in the Nursing Department Office on the Helena-West Helena campus by October 1st to be considered for the spring semester. Applications received after October 1st will not be considered.
5. Students seeking admission by advanced placement 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.
6. When two (2) or more advanced placement applicants have an equal score on the Critical Thinking Exam, applicants will be admitted according to the date and time the application was received in the Nursing Department Office on the Helena-West Helena campus.
7. 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 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.
8. Rare exceptions to the Advanced Placement policy may be made by the Promotion and Graduation Committee.

Skill Competency Exam

Demonstration of skill competency is a prerequisite for all students seeking admission to Level II by transfer or advanced placement. Skill competency evaluation times will be posted on the program webpage. A maximum of two (2) opportunities will be 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 Exam

The Drug Dosage Calculation Exam is a prerequisite for all students seeking admission to Level II by transfer or advanced placement. Exam times are posted on the program webpage. The applicant must pass the exam before enrollment. A maximum of three (3) opportunities are offered 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 Exam will not be eligible for enrollment. 

Policies for Progression for Students Admitted in the ADN Program 

1. Students in the nursing program must obtain permission from the Dean of Allied Health to take required courses for transfer credit at another college, before enrolling in the course the students expect to transfer to PCCUA.
2. Required nursing courses must be taken in the sequence specified in the Associate Degree Nursing curricular pattern. Failure in  a nursing course makes the student ineligible to progress, until the student successfully completes the course.
3. Students admitted for the first time to the Associate Degree Nursing program are allowed a maximum of one (1) readmission to  the program. No required nursing course may be repeated more than one (1) time.
4. Once admitted to the nursing program, students must complete the required curricular pattern within 150% of the time six (6) semesters. 
5. Students must complete prerequisite or corequisite general education courses before or with the corequisite nursing courses.
6. Nursing courses may not be audited.
7. A minimum grade of “C” is mandatory in all required general education and nursing courses in the ADN curricular pattern.
8. Science courses taken more than five (5) years before admission to the nursing program must be repeated.
9. Nursing courses older than three (3) years will not count toward meeting curricular requirements for graduation from the  Associate Degree Nursing program.
10. All Level I students are required to complete American Heart Association Basic Life Support CPR certification before attending clinical.  Students who do not meet this requirement will be administratively withdrawn from the Level I nursing course. All Level II, III, and IV students are required to have a current American Heart Association Basic Life Support CPR card before enrolling in respective nursing courses. The certification must remain current throughout enrollment in Levels II, III, and IV.  Electronic recertification is not accepted.
11. 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 ADN program supplies the ADN Student Handbook upon enrollment and at the beginning of each academic year.
12. Rare exceptions to the Progression Policy will be considered by the Promotion and Graduation Committee. The student must submit a written request within 24 hours of the faculty’s deadline for posting final course grades as stated in the PCCUA Academic Calendar or notification of denied readmission.

Developmental Education Courses

Students who do not meet the minimum requirements for admission may take developmental education courses to increase their skill level. The developmental education courses have pre-established exit levels.