The Licensed Practical Nursing Technical Certificate program combines classroom instruction with clinical experience. The program meets the Arkansas State Board of Nursing requirements for practical nursing programs. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates may be eligible to apply for the National Council of Licensure Examination to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). 

University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville Nursing Program Review

The University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville (UACCB) is a two-year college that was formerly known as Gateway Technical College until 1997. The change in name was spurred from the initiative to join the Arkansas System. This has led to more courses being offered in areas such as: Education, Industrial Technologies and Business.  

The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association. The nursing programs that are offered include:

Nursing Assistant

Basic skills and knowledge are shared throughout the course with students that want to provide professional services in home-care, acute care and long-term care to patients. Emphasis is placed on technical skills and this is possible through the combination of classroom and clinical training. The issue of professional relationships and workplace ethics are also areas that are covered to ensure that graduates and fully prepared to undertake their roles in challenging environments while maintaining a professional posture.

 After completion, students are eligible to sit the state written and skills test to gain licensure to work in the health care sector. If they are successful in passing the exam and provided they are not blocked in any way from licensure, they will be recognized as Certified Nursing Assistant. The program is approved by the Arkansas Department of Human Services and accredited by the Office of Long-Term Care.

Practical Nursing

This is an 11-month technical certificate program that prepares students to take the National Council of Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) to become a Licensed Practical Nurse. Applications for the program are received once yearly and after successful entry, students are taught a combination of liberal arts, science and nursing courses. The college uses both classroom and clinical experience to strengthen the content of the course that is passed to students.

To be admitted students must score satisfactorily on the Kaplan Nursing School Entrance Exam and meet other entry requirements.

Associate of Applied Science in Registered Nursing (Traditional, Online, and Generic Entry Options)

Entry into this program is offered on a generic basis for non-nurse. The program is also open to LPNs that want to become a registered nurse. To meet this requirement, the school offers two possibilities for those that are in the latter group.

a)     On campus LPN to RN option in the traditional classroom setting: This option is ideal for LPNs that want a traditional learning setting and have enough time during the week to attend classes without comprising any area in their lives.

b)     Online LPN to RN option. LPNs that are looking for more flexibility and the ability to work while they study will find this to be an interesting option to maintain balance.

The course covers areas in both general education and those related to the nursing profession. It is approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing (ASBN) and accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC). Only LPNs with an unencumbered license can apply to the course. They must also ensure that their licenses are not restricted in any way during the program.

What is the Benefit of Earning a BSN?

• Career advancement and mobility
• Increased earning potential compared to diploma and associate nursing graduates
• Establishes an academic foundation for graduate and/or doctoral studies
• Strengthen analytical and clinical reasoning skills
• Preparation for a broader scope of practice
• Enhance understanding of social, cultural, political, and economic issues impacting the health care delivery and outcomes

Why Study at the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing?

• EMSON’s BSN program is CCNE accredited
• Study and complete practicums in your own geographic area
• Program advisors are dedicated to student-centered learning and excellence in nursing education
• Program graduates have the option to have their name engraved in the U of A Senior Walk

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing designed the program for working nurses who want to earn a bachelor’s degree to advance in their field. This flexibility allows nursing professionals the ability to balance work, family and study. Student services support online students along the path to graduation.

What is the Benefit of Earning a BSN?

• Career advancement and mobility
• Increased earning potential compared to diploma and associate nursing graduates
• Establishes an academic foundation for graduate and/or doctoral studies
• Strengthen analytical and clinical reasoning skills
• Preparation for a broader scope of practice
• Enhance understanding of social, cultural, political, and economic issues impacting the health care delivery and outcomes

Why Study at the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing?

• EMSON’s BSN program is CCNE accredited
• Study and complete practicums in your own geographic area
• Program advisors are dedicated to student-centered learning and excellence in nursing education
• Program graduates have the option to have their name engraved in the U of A Senior Walk

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing designed the program for working nurses who want to earn a bachelor’s degree to advance in their field. This flexibility allows nursing professionals the ability to balance work, family and study. Student services support online students along the path to graduation.

Arkansas LPN to RN/BSN Programs

LPN to RN/BSN Programs

LPNs earn your ADN or BSN degree online in up to 1/2 the time and cost of traditional programs. Must be a LPN/LVN.

Ambitious Arkansas LPNs are increasingly opting to continue their education and move up in the nursing field by pursuing an RN degree. The state has numerous programs, with both LPN to ADN and LPN to BSN pathways available. There are many advantages to becoming an RN, including more autonomy, the ability to enter coveted specialties, and the potential for a higher salary. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that RNs in Arkansas make nearly $21,000 more per year than LPNs in the state do.

Looking for more information on the LPN to RN mobility track? Learn more about taking and passing the NCLEX-RN examination. Also, check out the Arkansas State Board of Nursing for information on the state’s nursing education and approved programs.

LPN to RN Online Track

1. How long is the program and when does it begin?

• The LPN to RN program is an 11-month program. Each spring a new class begins and continues through the summer and fall.
• The program follows the academic calendar of the College. Students can expect a break between the spring and summer semester in May and between the summer and fall semester in August.

2. Can I work at my own pace?

• Students are required to meet assignment and testing deadlines each week. This is not a work at your own pace program.

3. Can I work full time while in the LPN to RN program?

• Students are encouraged not to be employed during the year.
• If employment is necessary, it is suggested that students work no more than 24 hours a week.

4. How many times will I have to come to campus throughout the program?

• Students should plan to meet with the faculty on campus approximately 7-8 times throughout the program. The faculty makes every effort to keep student travel minimal. Travel dates are published at the beginning of each semester. These dates are tentative and may change due to unexpected circumstances.

5. What are the clinical requirements each semester?

• Students will be required to complete clinical rotations during each semester. 
• Tentative clinical hours are: Spring semester: 8 clinical days (12 hour shifts). Summer semester 7 clinical days (12 hour shifts); and Fall semester 12 clinical days (12 hour shifts) for a total of 144 hours of preceptorship. (These clinical hours are tentative).
  

6. What are the admission criteria for the online track?
To be considered for admission to the online track, applicants must:

• complete the HESI Entrance Assessment A2 exam. The exam is given in the summer semester each year. (HESI dates are posted on the website. Call the secretary for an appointment 870-612-2071).
• be a resident of Arkansas.
• have an unencumbered Arkansas LPN license.
• must have a reliable computer that meets the minimum requirements

7. What documents are required for admission to the LPN to RN program?
Prior to taking the HESI Entrance Assessment A2 exam applicants should provide the following:

• complete the UACCB Application for Admission form.
• submit an official copy of your high school transcript or GED scores and official copies of transcripts showing all other for credit course work taken at other colleges and universities to UACCB.
• provide proof of immunization against measles and rubella if born after January 1, 1957 (2 measles and 1 rubella required). Varicella (x2). Flu shotduring flu season. Records can be obtained from your high school, childhood doctor or county health department and submitted to UACCB.
• submit scores from ASSET, ACT, COMPASS or SAT standardized tests to UACCB.
• complete a Division of Nursing and Allied Health Application. The application must be renewed yearly. Submit to the Division of Nursing and Allied Health between June 1st and July 15th at 5:00 pm.
• submit a copy of your current unencumbered Arkansas LPN license to the Division of Nursing and Allied Health.

8. What classes are required before I can be admitted?Students must complete the following pre-requisites with a grade of “C” or higher:

• English Composition I
• English Composition II
• College Algebra
• Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab *
• Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab *

Co-requisites with a grade of “C” or higher (These courses may be taken during the program or before entering the program.):

• Microbiology with Lab *
• General Psychology
• Computer Software Applications **

9. What are the computer requirements? What browser works best?

a. Some courses may require specific software in addition to the minimums listed here.

b. Minimum Hardware (the latest version of each)

• Pentium IV based PC
• 512 MB Ram memory
• Windows 
• High speed network connection
• DVD
• Sound Card
• XGA video adapter or higher
• Webcam with sound system

c. Minimum Software (the latest version of each)

• Internet Explorer
• QuickTime (http://www.quicktime.com)
• Adobe Shockware (http:www.adobe.com/downloads/
• Adobe Flash Player (http://www.adobe.com/downloads/
• Adobe Acrobat Reader
• RealPlayer (http://www.real.com/realplayer
• Java (http://www.java.com)
• Firefox or Google Chrome
• Respondus Lockdown Browser

10. Do I need to complete a criminal background check prior to admission?

The Arkansas State Board of Nursing (ASBN) requires a criminal background check for all graduates applying for licensure. Graduating from a nursing program does not assure ASBN’s approval to take the licensure examination. Eligibility to take the licensure examination is dependent on meeting standards in the ASBN Nurse Practice Act and Rules. You will be required to sign a statement, before beginning the nursing program, that states you have read and understand

ACA 17-87-312 and ACA 17-3-102 and the specific offenses which, if pleaded guilty, nolo contendere, or found guilty of will make an individual ineligible to receive or hold a license in Arkansas. Access additional information about ASBN laws and rules HERE.

11. Is there a review course at the end of the program? 
Yes. We have a 3 day HESI Review Course. Online students will have the option of attending the course on campus or computer based from home.

12. What if I have a medical marijuana card? 

Nursing students that test positive for marijuana will be terminated from the nursing program. This includes studentswith written certification for use of medical marijuana. According to Act 593 (Medical Marijuana), there are “SafetySensitive Positions”. Nursing students are included in the “Safety Sensitive Positions”. Local clinical facilities willnot allow a student to attend who test positive for marijuana. See Act 593 http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2017/2017R/Acts/Act593.pdf for more information.
*All science courses must have been completed with a grade of C or better within 5 years of the application period. For example, if the application deadline is July 2016, all science courses must be completed by the end of Summer semester 2011. All applicants for the LPN to RN tracks may be granted a waiver on the five years of this deadline provided he/she can provide proof of having completed an LPN education program within the last 12 months or have at least 1200 work hours per year as an LPN providing direct patient care. The RN program admission and progression committee will review each applicant’s request on a case-by-case basis. Applicants who cannot provide satisfactory proof of meeting the above criteria will not be considered for a wavier.**Computer Software Applications must be taken within 5 years of the application deadline.

LPN to BSN Program

Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing

The field of nursing is changing. Are you ready?

Research published by Health Affairs in 2019 show hospitals with more nurses who earned BSNs produce better outcomes for patients after cardiac arrest. This program can help registered LPN’s advance your career and stay competitive in the job market.

Professional nursing begins with a bachelor’s degree because it provides a theoretical and practical foundation needed to improve acute and chronic patient care. Learn key nursing concepts to address health care needs in diverse settings, including hospitals, schools, clinical offices, and other environments.

 The LPN to BSN program is currently admitting students in the following states:

Alabama	Kansas	Mississippi	North Carolina
Arkansas	Kentucky	Missouri	Texas

The University of Arkansas is approved by the individual state boards of nursing and/or meets the requirements for students to pursue licensure in the above eight states. Although the LPN to BSN program has been approved in some other states* (see below), the program will begin limiting its geographic reach in Spring 2022 to better serve our current students and bolster our resources for future students. Prospective students can send questions to online@uark.edu.

Common Courses to Complete Before Applying

48 credit hours of courses listed below to be completed prior to taking nursing courses, most of which are offered online:

• English Composition I & II – 6 hours
• Fine Arts – 3 hours
• Humanities – 3 hours
• U.S. History or U.S. Government – 3 hours
• Math (college algebra or higher) – 3 hours
• Social Sciences – 9 hours
• Human Anatomy with lab – 4 hours
• Human Physiology with lab – 4 hours
• Chemistry with lab – 4 hours
• Microbiology with lab – 4 hours
• Statistics – 3 hours
• Electives – 2 hours

You can also transfer some or all of your prerequisite courses from another regionally accredited institution like a community college. You can see how courses taken at another institution would transfer to the U of A using our Transfer Planning Guide.

What You Should Know

• Flexible degree plans offering full-time and part-time enrollment
• Most classes are taught in 8-week terms
• To apply for the program you must:
  • Be a Licensed Practicing Nurse
  • Have 2,000 hours of work experience at the LPN-license level in the last 12-24 months
  • Reside in a state in which the state board has approved the program
    (see current list in the State Authorization section at the bottom of this page)
• All admissions are processed initially at the University level.  Once admitted, if all 48 credit hours of prerequisites have been met, the student will then be evaluated by the nursing department for admission to the nursing program.  The majority of required prerequisites are available in an online format.
• Some qualifying students can apply for an application fee waiver.

The L.P.N.-B.S.N. online program gives me the flexibility that I need so that I can work to provide for my family and work on getting my bachelor’s degree on my own time. I hope that earning a bachelor’s degree in nursing will lay down the foundation in my career by helping me receive the education I need to provide excellent and safe quality care to patients.”

Tinatra’s Story Tinatra Carr
L.P.N. at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Fayetteville, AR