This program is a LPN/LVN to RN transition program and is part of ARNEC (Arkansas Rural Nursing Education Consortium - https://www.arnec.org/). ARNEC is a consortium of four community and technical colleges located in rural areas of Arkansas and was created to provide LPNs/LVNs the opportunity to take the next step towards advancing their careers in nursing by earning an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing degree (AASN). This program is a 12month program that prepares students to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam and apply for a Registered Nursing (RN) license.*
Admission and Acceptance
Applicants to this professional program MUST:
- Complete the ARNEC program application at https://arnec.org/apply-now/arnec-application-wppft-keyxl
- provide proof of graduation from a State Board approved technical/practical nursing program.
- provide proof of a valid, unencumbered LPN/LVN license.
- complete the required general education courses from an accredited college or university with a grade of "C" or better. Applicants may lack one of the required general education courses by August 31. All required general education courses must be completed by the time nursing courses begin the following January. No additional classes may be taken concurrently with nursing classes.
- exhibit a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) or above. GPA is calculated on the required general-education courses.
- Apply to SouthArk.
- provide an official copy of high school transcript (or GED completion transcript)
- provide official transcripts from all colleges attended, to the Office of Admissions and to the nursing department including SouthArk transcript, exhibit proficiency in reading, writing, speaking, and understanding the English language. International students from a non-English speaking country must take the test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
- complete the NACE I test, a standardized pre-entrance exam designed for LPNs. The NACE I must be taken on the SouthArk campus.
Students will be ranked and selected based on:
- the required general education course cumulative GPA and
- the score on the NACE I test.
In the case of a tie for the last slot, the student who submitted his/her application packet first will receive the admission invitation. Applications will be date and time stamped at submission.
The South Arkansas College nursing program is approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing. Website: https://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/topics/arkansas-board-of-nursing
Arkansas State Board of Nursing
University Tower Bldg.
1123 South University
Suite 800
Little Rock, AR 72204-1619
Phone: 501-686-2700
Fax: 501-686-2714
Prerequisites:
- BIOL 2003 Nutrition and Diet
- BIOL 2064/L Anatomy and Physiology I/Lab
- BIOL 2074/L Anatomy and Physiology II/Lab
- MATH 1083 Math for Health Professionals
- CSCI 1003 Introduction to Computers
- ENGL 1113 Composition I
- PSYC 2003 General Psychology
- BIOL 2174/L Microbiology/Lab
- ENGL 1123 Composition II
- PSYC 2223 Developmental Psychology
Program Courses:
- RNSG 2119 Nursing Process I
- RNSG 2123 Nursing Practicum I
- RNSG 2216 Nursing Process II
- RNSG 2223 Nursing Practicum II
- RNSG 2318 Nursing Process III
- RNSG 2323 Nursing Practicum III
- RNSG 2311 NCLEX-RN Preparation
Disclosure Statement for Vaccinations, Immunizations, and/or Testing/Screening Required by Clinical, Practicum, Fieldwork and/or Internship/Externship Sites.
Students currently in, entering into, or applying for entry into any health science program at South Arkansas College must understand that:
Successful completion of the clinical, practicum, fieldwork, and/or internship/externship program component is a requirement for graduation from these programs;
Clinical, practicum, fieldwork, and/or internship/externship sites require students to have received certain vaccinations, immunizations, possibly including the Covid-19 vaccination, and to have successfully passed testing/screenings such as a drug screen and a criminal background check, in order to be allowed to attend clinical, etc., in their facility.
Some facilities do not allow students to attend clinical, etc., in their facility until after the student has fully completed the Covid-19 vaccination doses recommended by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
Therefore, if the student has not received or completed the vaccinations and immunizations, including a complete Covid-19 vaccination (if applicable), and successfully passed testing/screenings that are required by the clinical, practicum, fieldwork, and/or internship/externship site(s) and has not yet successfully completed these required program components, the student will not graduate from the program.
Successful graduation from the applicable health science program is required in order to sit for the profession’s licensure, certification, registration, etc., examination.
The program graduate will not be able to work in the applicable health science profession if he/she is not licensed, certified, registered, etc., in the profession.