Technical Certificate in Practical Nursing-Hope

The Practical Nursing Program provides an educational curriculum leading to a technical certificate. The Arkansas State Board of Nursing approves the program of study. Upon graduation from the program, students are eligible to take the licensure exam for Practical Nurses. 

The goal of the Practical Nursing Program is to provide entry-level knowledge, skills, and employment skills for the graduate nurse. Specific entrance requirements, progression, attendance, criminal background checks, drug screening, and grading policies apply to the Practical Nursing Certificate Program. Due to clinical placement requirements, the student criminal record may be reason for rejection or withdrawal of admission. Contact the Program Director for further information. 

Note: There is a special application and deadline for this program.
Practical Nursing Program applications are available March 1 through May 1. Deadline for application into the program is May 1. Courses taken in Spring of application year will be considered in the application process. Entrance into the program is based on space availability, time of prerequisite completion, and total entrance score. All applicants must complete an entrance exam before May 1st of the application year. The entrance exam will be at the expense of the applicant. Applicant will receive a total entrance score using the 4 pre-requisite courses GPA x10 plus the entrance exam score. Applicants will be ranked and selected based on their total entrance scores. Specific entrance policies are available in the program brochure. 

A current American Heart Association Healthcare Provider CPR certification, up to date immunizations,  and current health card (TB Skin Test) is required prior to clinical experience. NURS courses do not follow the typical college schedule. In order to provide a variety of learning experiences, students are scheduled clinical rotations at health care agencies throughout the surrounding area. Clinical hours include day, evening, night, and weekend rotations. 

Students seeking readmission or transfer are allowed only one (1) readmission. This one (1) time readmission counts admissions from other nursing programs (RN or LPN). Students may only have (2) nursing program admissions total. All re-admissions are contingent upon available space. All requests for readmission are reviewed by the nursing faculty. Readmitted students must complete all nursing coursework from the beginning of the program. Students with recorded disciplinary actions will not be considered for readmission. 

Program Pass Rates

Click the checklist below to view the degree plan.

Course Requirements ACTS Index Number* Credit Hours
Prerequisite Courses (Must have “C” or better in course) 12-14
BIOL 1003 Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology I
BIOL 1013 Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology II
(or)
BIOL 2214 Human Anatomy and Physiology I BIOL 2404
BIOL 2224 Human Anatomy and Physiology II BIOL 2414
(and)
BIOL 2203 Nutrition
MATH 1083 AAS Math Health Professions (or)
MATH 1053

OR

MATH 1153

 College Algebra

OR

Quantitative Literacy

 MATH 1103

OR

MATH 1113

Students must have minimum scores in Reading and English – Equivalent of ACT 19 or completion of remedial class(es).  (Students must be Comp I ready by scores or coursework).  

Upon acceptance into the Practical Nursing Program the following courses are required for completion. Students must complete each course with a “C” or better per Practical Nursing Program grading scale. Failure to complete each course with a “C” or better will result in withdrawal from the Practical Nursing Program.  

Course Requirements Credit Hours
Summer I 3
NURS 1001 Medication Calculations
NURS 1002 Pharmacology I
Summer II 3
NURS 1103 Nursing Concepts I (UAHT CNA-test out option)
Fall Semester 18
NURS 1105 Nursing Concepts II (Fast Track I)
NURS 1021 Venous Access and Therapy (Fast Track I)
NURS 2008 Nursing of Adults (Fast Track II)
NURS 1004 Clinical Practicum I (Fast Track II)
Spring Semester 14
NURS 1022 Maternal/Infant Nursing (Fast Track I)
NURS 2002 Pharmacology II (Fast Track I)
NURS 2021 Mental Health Nursing (Fast Track II)
NURS 2012 Pediatric Nursing (Fast Track II)
NURS 1012 Gerontological Nursing (Fast Track II)
NURS 2005 Clinical Practicum II
Total 50-52

Note: BIOL 2214, BIOL 2224, and BIOL 2203 are accepted for credit by the ARNEC Program. BIOL 1003 BIOL 1013, and MATH 1083 are non-transferable credits.

Helpful Links:

Tylenol Scholarship

Arkansas State Board of Nursing

Occupation Outlook

*ARKANSAS COURSE TRANSFER SYSTEM (ACTS)

The Arkansas Course Transfer System (ACTS) contains information about the transferability of courses within Arkansas public colleges and universities. Students are guaranteed the transfer of applicable credits and the equitable treatment in the application of credits for the admissions and degree requirements. Course transferability is not guaranteed for courses listed in ACTS as “No Comparable Course.”  Additionally, courses with a “D” frequently do not transfer and institutional policies may vary. ACTS may be accessed on the Internet by going to the ADHE website and selecting Course Transfer (http://adhe.edu). Courses not having an ACTS number may also transfer. Please consult the receiving institution for complete transfer information.