Nursing

AAS = Associate of Applied Science | 63 hours

Program Outcomes

The Associate Degree Nursing faculty uses the following program outcomes to measure program effectiveness.

Licensure Exam (NCLEX)

• The most recent annual licensure examination pass rate for the program will be at least 80% for all first-time test-takers for the same 12-month time period.
• The most recent annual licensure examination pass rate for the program will be at least 80% for all first-time test-takers on each campus for the same 12-month time period.

Program Completion

• The 3-year mean completion rate for all students enrolled in the first nursing course who complete the program within 100% time will be greater than the College 3-year mean completion rate in 100% time for students earning an associate degree for the same time period.

• The 3-year mean completion rate for students enrolled in the first nursing course on each campus who complete the program within 100% time will be greater than the College 3-year mean completion rate in 100% time for students earning an associate degree for the same time period.

Job Placement 

• 80% of all graduates will be employed in a position requiring RN licensure within 6 months of graduation.
• 80% of graduates on each campus will be employed in a position requiring RN licensure within 6 months of graduation.

The Associate Degree Nursing faculty uses the following student learning outcomes and competencies to measure student achievement of end-of-program student learning outcomes and related competencies. 

Patient-Centered Care

Provide safe, quality, evidence-based, patient-centered nursing care in a variety of healthcare settings to diverse patient populations throughout the lifespan.

• Conduct comprehensive and/or focused physical, behavioral, psychological, and spiritual assessment of health and illness parameters in patients, using developmentally and culturally appropriate approaches.

• Prioritize identified patient needs based on assessment findings.

• Develop a plan of care based on evidence-based practice considering individual patient needs.

• Implement patient-centered care that reflects an understanding of human growth and development, pathophysiology, pharmacology, nutrition, medical and nursing management throughout the lifespan and in a variety of healthcare settings.

• Promote factors that create a culture of safety.

• Provide comprehensive patient teaching that reflects developmental stage, age, culture, spirituality, patient preferences, and health literacy considerations.

• Implement nursing interventions to prevent illness, and restore, promote and maintain physical and mental health of patients across the lifespan in a variety of healthcare settings.

• Monitor patient outcomes to evaluate the effectiveness and impact of nursing care.

• Deliver care within expected timeframe.

• Provide patient-centered transitions of care and hand-off communications, including discharge planning, to ensure the receiving caregiver has the knowledge needed to provide safe care.

• Demonstrate cultural awareness/sensitivity when providing care to diverse patients in a variety of healthcare settings.

• Revise the plan of care based on an ongoing evaluation of patient outcomes including recognition of alterations to previous patient conditions.

• Demonstrate safe performance of psychomotor skills for efficient, safe, and compassionate patient care including accurate calculation of dosages.

• Document accurately all aspects of patient care.

Clinical Judgment

Engage in clinical judgment to make patient-centered care decisions.

• Use clinical judgment to make management decisions to ensure accurate and safe nursing care, including addressing anticipated changes in the patient's condition.

• Display skill in using clinical judgment when implementing all steps of the nursing process while integrating best available evidence.

• Anticipate risks, and predict and manage potential complications.

• Prioritize patient care.

• Evaluate the impact of economic, political, social, and demographic forces on the delivery of healthcare.

• Analyze the clinical microsystem and its impact on the nurse’s ability to provide safe, quality care.

Quality Improvement

Participate in quality improvement processes to improve patient care.

• Apply quality improvement processes to effectively implement patient safety initiatives and monitor performance measures, including nursing-sensitive indicators in the microsystem of care.

• Analyze information about quality improvement projects in a variety of healthcare settings.

• Identify gaps between local and best practice and provide interventions for closing the gaps.

• Participate in analyzing errors and identifying system improvements.

• Implement National Patient Safety Goals in all applicable patient care settings.

Collaboration and Teamwork

Participate in collaboration and teamwork with members of the interprofessional team, the patient, and the patient’s support persons.

• Communicate effectively with all members of the healthcare team, including the patient and the patient’s support network when making decisions and planning care.

• Collaborate with the appropriate interprofessional healthcare provider to communicate data collected during patient care.

• Implement patient safety and quality improvement within the context of the interprofessional team in a variety of healthcare settings.

• Employ conflict resolution principles as needed.

Information Management

Use information management principles, techniques and systems, and patient care technology to communicate, manage knowledge, mitigate error, and support decision-making.

• Use patient care technologies, information systems/technologies, and communication devices to support safe nursing practice.

• Evaluate the role of information technology and information systems in improving patient care outcomes and creating a safe care environment.

• Apply patient care technologies as appropriate to address the needs of a diverse patient population.

Leadership, Management, Legal, and Ethical

Assimilate leadership, management, legal, and ethical guidelines in practice as a professional nurse.

• Practice within the legal and ethical frameworks of nursing practice.

• Analyze planned patient care within the context of the ANA Standards of Practice.

• Model accountability and responsibility for nursing care given by self and/or delegated to others as applied to the care of all patients.

• Apply management skills and knowledge of the rules and principles of delegation when working with other healthcare team members.

• Serve as a patient advocate.

• Respond to natural and manmade disasters.

• Initiate a plan for ongoing professional development and lifelong learning.

*These PCCUA End-of-Program Student Learning Outcomes and Related Competencies should not be duplicated in any manner without written permission from PCCUA.

1. Fulfill all college admission requirements.
2. Complete all required developmental education courses prior to making application to the nursing program. 
3. Submit ACT score, if taken, and official transcripts from all previously attended colleges 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 by June 1st. The Nelson-Denny Reading Test 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 Nelson-Denny Reading Test. Students on the Stuttgart campus should contact the Learning Center Coordinator on the Stuttgart 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.
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 for ADN Traditional Track

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. 

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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 (1) 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 the 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 positive titer
   • Two (2) MMRs, if born after 1957 or positive titer
   • Initiation of Hepatitis B series or positive titer
3. Proof of a 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 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.

Comply with clinical affiliation agreements and facility policies pertaining to COVID.

Any student who does NOT meet each expectation will NOT be allowed to attend clinical in an affiliated agency and may NOT be able to meet respective course requirements. This policy is effective for students enrolled in allied health and nursing courses.

Any student testing positive for COVID-19 will follow PCCUA’s and the clinical agency’s protocol BEFORE being allowed to return to class and the clinical setting.

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 Seeking Admission to ADN Traditional Track

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 track by transfer 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.

Skill Competency Exam

Demonstration of skill competency is a prerequisite for all students seeking admission to Level II by transfer. 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. 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. 

• Readmission to the nursing program is not guaranteed.
• The number of unfilled spaces for each class will be determined by availability of faculty and clinical facilities.  
• Students who apply for readmission are those who previously enrolled in a nursing course at PCCUA, but failed to progress to the next level (W, EW, or failing grade) or those who successfully completed nursing courses, but separated from the program for one (1) year or less.  
• 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.  
• Applications for readmission are available from the ADN program Administrative Assistant located on the Helena-West Helena campus.
• Applications for readmission are accepted after December 1st for the following fall semester and after May 1st for the following spring semester. No late applications will be accepted.
• Applicants will not be considered for readmission unless their Exit Interview is on file. A current health statement, proof of current immunizations, and a TB skin test must be on file in the  Nursing Department. A current American Heart Association Basic Life Support CPR card that remains current throughout enrollment in Levels I, II, III, and IV is on file. Electronic recertification will not be accepted.
• Since a limited number of spaces may be available for readmission, the date and time of receipt in the Nursing Department office on the Helena-West Helena campus will be noted on each application.
• Following application, students applying for readmission will be ranked according to the following criteria:
• Numerical average of the nursing course at the time of separation
• When the student does not have a numerical average at the time of separation from the nursing course, the student will be given a 79.00 for ranking purposes.
• Students will be ranked for readmission from the highest numerical average to the lowest numerical average for the required nursing course.
• When two or more applicants have equal numerical averages, priority for readmission will be given to applicants according to the date and time the application was received in the Nursing Department office on the Helena-West Helena campus.
• The Drug Dosage Calculation Exam is a prerequisite for students seeking readmission to Levels II, III, and IV. Exam times will be posted on the Program Information Webpage. 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.
• Demonstration of skill competency is a pre-requisite for students seeking readmission to Levels II, III, and IV. Skill competency evaluation times will be posted on the Program Information 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. 
• Students meeting readmission criteria will be admitted in a 1 to 1 ratio with applicants seeking advanced placement in Level II until either group or available space is exhausted. Remaining space(s) will be filled from the non-exhausted group. 
• Applicants not selected for readmission, or who elect not to re-enroll, must repeat the entire application process to enter the next Level I admission cohort.
• Applicants will be notified of admission status at least one (1) week before regular fall or spring registration. 
• Readmitted students are ineligible to pre-register for nursing courses and must register for these courses during regular registration.  
• Rare exceptions to the Readmission Policy may be made by the Promotion and Graduation Committee.

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 Exam (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 a LPN or LPTN enrolls in Level I of the ADN program, advanced placement is no longer an option for progression.

*Refer to the ADN Program Information Packet to review Tables I and III included in the Arkansas Progression Model.

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 program 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 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 HWH 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 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.
8. Rare exceptions to the Advanced Placement policy may be made by the Promotion and Graduation Committee.

Skill Competency Exam

The Drug Dosage Calculation Exam will be given to all students seeking advanced placement to Level II in the spring of 2023 on the following date:
HWH and Stuttgart Readmission Applicants

       • Thursday, November 17th, 2022, at 9:00am

Demonstration of skill competency is a prerequisite for all students seeking admission to Level II by 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 advanced placement. 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. 

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 in the Arkansas Nurse Practice Act, which can be accessed by clicking here.  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

ARKANSAS STATE BOARD OF NURSING CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS

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, the following information is taken directly from the Arkansas Nurse Practice Act.

Licensing Restrictions Based on Criminal Records - A.C.A. § 17-3-102

(a) An individual is not eligible to receive or hold a license issued by a licensing entity if that individual has pleaded guilty or nolo contendere to or been found guilty of any of the following offenses by any court in the State of Arkansas or of any similar offense by a court in another state or of any similar offense by a federal court, unless the conviction was lawfully sealed under the Comprehensive Criminal Record Sealing Act of 2013, § 16-90-1401 et seq., or otherwise previously sealed, pardoned or expunged under prior law: 

(1)   Capital murder as prohibited in § 5-10-101; 

(2)   Murder in the first degree and second degree as prohibited in §§ 5-10-102 and 5-10-103; 

(3)   Manslaughter as prohibited in § 5-10-104; 

(4)   Negligent homicide as prohibited in § 5-10-105; 

(5)   Kidnapping as prohibited in § 5-11-102; 

(6)   False imprisonment in the first degree as prohibited in § 5- 11-103; 

(7)   Permanent detention or restraint as prohibited in § 5-11- 106; 

(8)   Robbery as prohibited in § 5-12-102; 

(9)   Aggravated robbery as prohibited in § 5-12-103; 

(10)  Battery in the first degree as prohibited in § 5-13-201; 

(11)  Aggravated assault as prohibited in § 5-13-204; 

(12)  Introduction of a controlled substance into the body of another person as prohibited in § 5-13-210; 

(13)  Aggravated assault upon a law enforcement officer or an employee of a correctional facility as prohibited in § 5-13-211, if a Class Y felony; 

(14)  Terroristic threatening in the first degree as prohibited in § 5-13-301; 

(15)  Rape as prohibited in § 5-14-103; 

(16)  Sexual indecency with a child as prohibited in § 5-14-110; 

(17)  Sexual extortion as prohibited in § 5-14-113; 

(18)  Sexual assault in the first degree, second degree, third degree, and fourth degree as prohibited in §§ 5-14-124 — 5-14-127; 

(19)  Incest as prohibited in § 5-26-202; 

(20)  Offenses against the family as prohibited in §§ 5-26-303 — 5-26-306; 

(21)  Endangering the welfare of an incompetent person in the first degree, as prohibited in § 5-27-201; 

(22)  Endangering the welfare of a minor in the first degree as prohibited in § 5-27-205; 

(23)  Permitting the abuse of a minor as prohibited in § 5-27- 221; 

(24)  Engaging children in sexually explicit conduct for use in visual or print media, transportation of minors for prohibited sexual conduct, pandering or possessing visual or print medium depicting sexually explicit conduct involving a child, or use of a child or consent to use of a child in a sexual performance by producing, directing, or promoting a sexual performance by a child, as prohibited in §§ 5-27-303 — 5-27-305, 5-27-402, and 5-27-403; 

(25)  Computer child pornography as prohibited in § 5-27-603; 

(26)  Computer exploitation of a child in the first degree as prohibited in § 5-27-605; 

(27)  Felony adult abuse as prohibited in § 5-28-103; 

(28)  Theft of property as prohibited in § 5-36-103; 

(29)  Theft by receiving as prohibited in § 5-36-106; 

(30)  Arson as prohibited in § 5-38-301; 

(31)  Burglary as prohibited in § 5-39-201; 

(32)  Felony violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act, §§ 5-64-101 et seq., as prohibited in the former § 5-64-401, and §§ 5-64- 419 — 5-64-442;

(33)  Promotion of prostitution in the first degree as prohibited in § 5-70-104; 

(34)  Stalking as prohibited in § 5-71-229; 

(35)  Criminal attempt, criminal complicity, criminal solicitation, or criminal conspiracy, as prohibited in §§ 5-3-201, 5-3-202, 5-3-301, and 5-3-401, to commit any of the offenses listed in this subsection; and 

(36)  All other crimes referenced in this title. 

(b) 

(1)   If an individual has been convicted of a crime listed in subsection (a) or subsection (e) of this section, a licensing entity may waive disqualification or revocation of a license based on the conviction if a request for a waiver is made by: 

(A) An affected applicant for a license; or 

(B) The individual holding a license subject to revocation.

(2)   A basis upon which a waiver may be granted includes without limitation: 

(A) The age at which the offense was committed; 

(B) The circumstances surrounding the offense; 

(C) The length of time since the offense was committed; 

(D) Subsequent work history since the offense was committed; 

(E) Employment references since the offense was committed; 

(F) Character references since the offense was committed; 

(G) Relevance of the offense to the occupational license; and 

(H) Other evidence demonstrating that licensure of the applicant does not pose a threat to the health or safety of the public.

(3) The waiver requirements of this section are not required for a renewal of a license if an individual has been convicted of a crime listed in subsection (a) of this section and has either:

(A) Completed the waiver requirements of this section at his or her initial licensure;
(B) Been licensed in this state before the enactment of subsection (a) of this section; or
(C) Attended a professional or occupational school, program, or training in pursuit of an occupational license before the enactment of subsection (a) of this section and would have been qualified to hold an occupational license on or before July 24, 2019.

(c) If an individual has a valid criminal conviction for an offense that could disqualify the individual from receiving a license, the disqualification shall not be considered for more than five (5) years from the date of conviction or incarceration or on which probation ends, whichever date is the latest, if the individual: 

(A) Was not convicted for committing a violent or sexual offense; and 

(B) Has not been convicted of any other offense during the five-year disqualification period. 

(d) A licensing entity shall not, as a basis upon which a license may be granted or denied: 

(1)   Use vague or generic terms, including without limitation the phrases "moral turpitude" and "good character"; or 

(2)   Consider arrests without a subsequent conviction. 

(e) Due to the serious nature of the offenses, the following shall result in disqualification for licensure, regardless of the date of conviction or the date on which probation or incarceration ends unless a waiver is granted under subsection (b) of this section:

(1)   Capital murder as prohibited in § 5-10-101; 

(2)   Murder in the first degree as prohibited in § 5-10-102 and murder in the second degree as prohibited in § 5-10-103; 

(3)   Kidnapping as prohibited in § 5-11-102; 

(4)   Aggravated assault upon a law enforcement officer or an employee of a correctional facility as prohibited in § 5-13-211, if a Class Y felony; 

(5)   Rape as prohibited in § 5-14-103; 

(6)   Sexual extortion as prohibited in § 5-14-113; 

(7)   Sexual assault in the first degree as prohibited in § 5-14- 124 and sexual assault in the second degree as prohibited in § 5-14-125; 

(8)   Incest as prohibited in § 5-26-202; 

(9)   Endangering the welfare of an incompetent person in the first degree as prohibited in § 5-27-201; 

(10)  Endangering the welfare of a minor in the first degree as prohibited in § 5-27-205; 

(11)  Adult abuse that constitutes a felony as prohibited in § 5-28-103;  

(12)  Arson as prohibited in § 5-38-301; and

(13) Engaging children in sexually explicit conduct for use in visual or print media, transportation of minors for prohibited sexual conduct, pandering or possessing visual or print media depicting sexually explicit conduct involving a child, or use of a child or consent to use of a child in a sexual performance by producing, directing, or promoting a sexual performance by a child, as prohibited in §§ 5-27-303 —5-27-305, 5-27-402, and 5-27-403.

(f) This chapter does not preclude a licensing entity from taking emergency action against a licensee as authorized under § 25-15-211 for the sake of public health, safety, or welfare. 

(g) The disqualification for an offense listed in subsection (a) of this section and the disqualification for an offense listed in subsection (e) of this section do not apply to:

1. Of professions not governed by this site;
   
2. of polygraph examiners and voice stress analysis examiner under § 17-39-101 et seq.;
   
3. Of private investigators and private security agencies under the Private Security Agency, Private Investigator, and School Security Licensing and Credentialing Act, § 17-40-101 et seq.; or
   
4. Of body artists under § 17-26-601 et seq.
   

AR Nurse Practice Act July 2023 

17-87-312. Criminal Background Checks. 

(a) 

(1) Each first-time applicant for a license issued by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing shall apply to the Identification Bureau of the Division of Arkansas State Police for a state and national criminal background check, to be conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. 

(2) At the time a person applies to an Arkansas nursing educational program, the program shall notify the applicant in writing of the provisions and requirements of this section. 

(b) The check shall conform to the applicable federal standards and shall include the taking of fingerprints. 

(c) The applicant shall sign a release of information to the board and shall be responsible to the Division of Arkansas State Police for the payment of any fee associated with the criminal background check. 

(d) Upon completion of the criminal background check, the Identification Bureau of the Division of Arkansas State Police shall forward to the board all releasable information obtained concerning the applicant. 

(e) For purposes of this section, the board shall follow the licensing restrictions based on criminal records under § 17-3-102. 

(f) 

(1)   The board may issue a nonrenewable temporary permit for licensure to a first-time applicant pending the results of the criminal background check. 

(2)   The permit shall be valid for no more than six (6) months. 

(g) 

(1)   Any information received by the board from the Identification Bureau of the Division of Arkansas State Police under this section shall not be available for examination except by: 

(A) The affected applicant for licensure or his or her authorized representative; or 

(B) The person whose license is subject to revocation or his or her authorized representative. 

(2)   No record, file, or document shall be removed from the custody of the Division of Arkansas State Police. 

(h) Any information made available to the affected applicant for licensure or the person whose license is subject to revocation shall be information pertaining to that person only.

(i)  Rights of privilege and confidentiality established in this section shall not extend to any document created for purposes other than this background check. 

(j)  The board shall adopt the necessary rules to fully implement the provisions of this section. 

(k) 

(1)   The board may participate at the state and federal level in programs that provide notification of an arrest subsequent to an initial background check that is conducted through available governmental systems. 

(2)    The board may submit an applicant's fingerprints to the federal Next Generation Identification system. 

(3)   The fingerprints may be searched by future submissions to the Next Generation Identification system, including latent fingerprint searches. 

(4)   An applicant enrolled in the Next Generation Identification system is not required to re-fingerprint when a subsequent request for a state or federal criminal history background check is required if: 

(A)   A legible set of the applicant's fingerprints is obtained when the applicant enrolls in the Next Generation Identification system; and 

(B)   The applicant is subject to the Rap Back service of the Next Generation Identification system. 

(l)   The Identification Bureau of the Division of Arkansas State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation may maintain fingerprints in the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System. 

Arkansas Nurse Practice Act July 2023 

Approval

The program is approved by the:

Arkansas State Board of Nursing
(ARSBN, http://www.arsbn.org)  
University Tower Building, Suite 800
1123 S. University Avenue
Little Rock, AR 72204-1619
phone: (501) 686-2700
fax: (501) 686-2714 

State Board approval has been ongoing, with the most recent approval being granted in 2022 through 2027.

Accreditation

The Associate Degree 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.

Helena West Helena Testing Dates:

• You must register to take the exam
• Email Jennifer Levine to register: jlevine@pccua.edu
• Report 15 minutes ahead of testing time to check in.
• No late admission allowed
• Bring current picture ID for each exam

Nelson-Denny Exam Dates for Fall 2024 HWH Campus Applicants

THIS TEST IS FREE TO APPLICANTS

ATI Critical Thinking Exam Dates for Fall 2024 HWH Campus Applicants

THIS TEST IS $50.00 (price subject to change) PAID BY THE APPLICANT AT THE TIME OF EXAM WITH CREDIT OR DEBIT CARD ONLY

Stuttgart Testing Dates: 

• You must be registered to take an exam
• Email Sonya Allen-Jenkins to register: sajones@pccua.edu  
• Bring current picture ID for each exam and arrive 15 minutes early to check in. 

Nelson-Denny Exam Dates for Fall 2024 STG Campus Applicants

THIS TEST IS FREE TO APPLICANTS 

ATI Critical Thinking Exam Dates for Fall 2024 STG Campus Applicants

THIS TEST IS $50.00 (price subject to change) PAID BY THE APPLICANT AT THE TIME OF EXAM WITH CREDIT OR DEBIT CARD ONLY

Drug Dosage Calculation Exam Dates

If any applicant seeking readmission fails the first Drug Dosage Calculation Exam, the applicant will meet with the respective faculty administering the exam immediately after the first exam to schedule the second testing date and time. If the applicant fails the second Drug Dosage Calculation Exam on the date scheduled, the applicant will meet with the faculty administering the exam immediately after the second exam to schedule the third testing date and time.

Readmission Skill Demonstration Performance Dates

The Skill Demonstration Performance will be completed by all HWH and Stuttgart students seeking readmission to Level  II & level IV in the spring of 2023 immediately after the Drug Dosage Calculation Exam.  

If the applicant fails the first Skill Demonstration Test, the applicant will meet with the faculty immediately after the first test to schedule the second testing date and time.

NCLEX-RN

The Arkansas State Board of Nursing reports a program's annual pass rate based on the number of candidates that take the licensure exam between July 1st and June 30th. Based on this time frame, the program’s annual pass rate may include graduates from more than one graduating cohort.

Program Completion

The official ADN completion rate is reported by the percentage of all graduates enrolled in the first nursing course who complete the program within 100% of the time of the stated program length.

100% time

Job Placement

The annual job placement rate is reported as the percentage of May graduates who are employed in a nursing position requiring licensure as a registered nurse within 6 months of graduation.

Students applying to or enrolled in the Associate Degree or Practical Nursing program must be aware that they are required to possess the following skills and abilities in order to provide safe patient care in the clinical setting.

The Associate Degree and Practical Nursing programs/or their affiliated clinical agencies may identify additional essential functions or skills and reserve(s) the right to amend the essential functions as deemed necessary.

Visual ability

• Read for prolonged periods of time either hardcopy or on computer screen

• Visualize small font (6 font) written words and information on paper, computer screen and medication labels

• Distinguish and appropriately respond to multiple visual inputs

• Prepare and administer medications including correct use of small calibrated syringes (0.5 mL), ampules, vials etc.

• Monitor and assess subtle changes in patient status (ex: signs/symptoms, drainage, wound color and appearance, wound depth, cyanosis, etc.)

Auditory ability

• Hear monitor alarm(s), emergency signals, telephones ringing, telephone interactions, calls for assistance

• Respond and react immediately to spoken instruction and/or monitor equipment

• Tolerate occasional exposure to loud and unpleasant noises

• Distinguish changes in tone and pitch in heart, lung, and bowel sounds using a stethoscope or modified stethoscope

• Distinguish sounds and understand verbal communication in environments with multiple auditory inputs

Olfactory ability

• Ability to detect smoke and odors

• Ability to tolerate occasional unpleasant odors

Tactile ability

• Palpate for pulses, temperature, texture hardness or softness, physical landmarks etc.

• Discriminate subtle differences between sharp or dull and hot or cold

Motor function ability

• Handle small delicate equipment/objects or hand-held devices without extraneous movement, contamination, or destruction

• Move, position, turn, transfer, assist with lifting or lift and carry adult patients without injury to patient, self, or others

• Lift, push, pull, or transfer (bed-to-chair, bed-to-bed) an adult or pediatric patient

• Use hands, wrists, and arms to apply up to 10 pounds of pressure to bleeding sites or when performing CPR

• Coordinate eye/hand, fine and gross motor movements

• Perform electronic keyboarding/documentation and/or extensive writing with a pen and/or pencil

• Stand, bend, walk, stoop, squat while providing patient care

Communication abilities

• Effectively read, write, comprehend, and speak the English language

• Communicate relevant, accurate, and complete information in a concise and clear manner both verbally and in writing to patients and health care members

• Communicate and function effectively in environments with multiple auditory and visual inputs

Cognitive abilities

• Perform mathematical calculations accurately for medication preparation and administration

• Make appropriate rapid decisions in stressful or emergency situations

• Manage multiple priorities and function effectively in stressful situations

• Remember multiple messages and information

• Adapt rapidly to environmental changes and multiple task demands

• Maintain concentration and focus in professional care settings

  Adapted with permission from the ADNP’s Essential Functions Statement at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock

Disclosure

Students are encouraged to disclose a disability and to request reasonable accommodation for that disability, as early as possible during a particular semester, in order that any agreed upon accommodation may be implemented as soon as possible for the benefit of the student. Written documentation of a disclosed disability must be presented to one of the PCCUA Disability Coordinators who are identified in the PCCUA College Catalog and Student Handbook.

Students with no history of accommodation or who do not utilize an accommodation granted by PCCUA during their pre-licensure educational program may be less likely to receive accommodations on the NCLEX licensure testing exam from the State Board of Nursing where they seek initial licensure.

Arrangements for Reasonable Accommodation

Reasonable clinical and classroom accommodation will be offered providing such accommodation does not alter the fundamental nature of the nursing program in a major way, jeopardize the health and safety of others, or cause undue hardship on the College or affiliated clinical agencies.

1. Make an appointment to meet with a Disability Coordinator as early as possible during a particular semester, preferably before a semester begins. A Disability Coordinator is located on each campus and identified in the College Catalog and Student Handbook.

2. Obtain an Application for Disability Services Form from: https://www.www.pccua.edu/images/uploads/content_files/Students_with_Disabilities-Application.pdf

3. Submit to the Disability Coordinator (1) a completed Application for Disabilities Services Form and (2) medical documentation from providers which include, but are not limited to, a certified/licensed physician, psychologist, psychometrist, audiologist, speech pathologist, rehabilitation counselor, physical or occupational therapist. Medical documentation must reflect the student’s present level of functioning with respect to the major life activity affected by the disability. Diagnostic information must include specific recommendations as well as the rationale for each. The cost of obtaining professional documentation is the sole responsibility of the student.

4. The Disability Coordinator will verify eligibility and discuss with the student the medically recommended accommodation(s).

5. The Disability Coordinator and student will identify and agree upon reasonable accommodation(s).

6. The Disability Coordinator will complete a Faculty Notification of Services Form, which identifies recommended reasonable accommodation(s).

7. The Disability Coordinator will give the completed Faculty Notification of Services Form to the student.

8. The student will assume responsibility for taking the completed Faculty Notification of Services Form to each of the student’s instructor(s) to discuss the identified accommodation(s) on the Faculty Notification of Services Form. (The Disabilities Coordinator will email the instructors who are teaching courses for which the student has requested accommodation(s).

9. The instructor and student will discuss the requested reasonable accommodation(s).

10. The instructor will sign the Faculty Notification of Services Form indicating his or her notification to provide reasonable accommodation services. Each instructor will keep a copy of the signed Faculty Notification of Services Form for his/her records.

11. The student will return the original Faculty Notification of Services Form to the Disability Coordinator after each of the student’s instructor(s) for a particular semester has/have signed the form.

12. The Disability Coordinator will keep the signed copy of the Application for Disability Services Form, medical documentation, and Faculty Notification of Services Form in the Disability Coordinator’s office.

13. The Disability Coordinator will send a copy of the Application for Disabilities Services Form, medical documentation, and Faculty Notification of Services Form in a sealed envelope to the Registrar’s Office for inclusion in the student’s permanent academic record.

14. Requests to rescind or modify any accommodation must be submitted in writing to the student’s Disability Coordinator and all instructors providing reasonable accommodation(s) for a particular semester.

15. The request to receive accommodation services for a disclosed disability MUST BE REPEATED each and every semester the student is enrolled. However, documentation does not need to be presented to the Disabilities Coordinator each semester unless the status of a disability changes requiring a different level of accommodation.

Confidentiality

Information in the student’s disability file is confidential. Information pertaining to the student’s disability will be maintained in a sealed envelope in the student’s permanent academic record. Information about the existence and the relevant limitations of a disability and the accommodation for which a student is eligible will be disclosed only with the student’s written permission. The student must provide written permission for disclosure to secure academic and support services (parking, library usage, etc.). The graduate assumes sole responsibility for contacting the respective state board of nursing to request accommodation during the licensure exam.

Appeal

A student may appeal a decision concerning accommodation by first requesting an informal meeting with a Disability Coordinator and Vice Chancellor for Instruction and instructor if applicable. If the issue is not resolved, the student may activate the formal grievance process as outlined in the PCCUA Policy and Procedure Manual. 

Criminal Background Check

All PCCUA allied health programs will require each allied health student to complete an annual, national, and State of Arkansas criminal background check, which includes a Social Security and National Sex Offenders check, and drug test. All students must complete this requirement through VerifyStudents (www.VerifyStudents.com).

In addition, all students assigned to clinical agencies in the State of Mississippi will be required to also complete a criminal background check through the Mississippi Department of Health as directed by the clinical agency. Each respective program director/coordinator will provide the student with specific instructions for background checks through the Mississippi Department of Health. No other criminal background checks will be accepted. The cost incurred for complying with the above policy is the sole responsibility of the student.

If a student has positive results on the VerifyStudents and/or Mississippi Department of Health criminal background check, the respective program director/coordinator will send the student’s positive results to the designated individual(s) at the student’s assigned clinical agency. Representatives from the clinical agency will determine if the student is eligible to access the facility to participate in clinical learning experiences.  It is the student’s sole responsibility to provide the designated clinical agency representative(s) with any documentation required to determine eligibility for access. 

If representative(s) from the student’s assigned clinical agency deny the student access to the clinical facility, the student will not be able to fulfill respective program requirements in the clinical setting.  The student will be required to withdraw from the respective allied health program, and the student will not be eligible for readmission to the respective program or any other PCCUA allied health program.  If representatives from the student’s assigned clinical agency allow a student with positive criminal background results to participate in clinical learning experiences in that agency, this does not provide a future guarantee that the student will be allowed to participate in clinical in another agency or that the student will be allowed to take the respective licensing exam.

Students who are dismissed from an allied health program for an unacceptable criminal background check will not be eligible for tuition or fee refunds for allied health courses with a NG, PNP, NA, MLS, PLB, or EMT prefix.

Annual Drug Screening Test

PCCUA will require all allied health students to submit to a drug test under any or all of the following circumstances:

• Annually each academic year as directed by the respective program director/coordinator
• As a part of a drug abuse recovery program

Failure to comply with the scheduled drug test may result in immediate dismissal from the program.

If a student fails a drug test, the student will be dismissed from all allied health programs. The respective program director/coordinator will refer the individual failing the drug test for therapeutic counseling regarding drug withdrawal and rehabilitation.  

The readmission process to the same allied health program or admission process to another allied health program, for a student, who has previously failed a drug test, to any allied health program will include:

• Attendance at Narcotics Anonymous or recognized drug abuse treatment program of choice. Evidence of participation must be sent to the Dean of Allied Health and respective program director/coordinator.
  • Acceptable evidence from NA shall consist of:
    • Written record of at least the date of each meeting
    • Name of group attended
    • Meeting purpose
    • Signed initials of the group or district representative of each group attended.
  • Acceptable evidence from a drug abuse treatment program of the individual’s choice shall consist of:
    • Verifiable completion certificate
• Demonstrate at least six (6) months of drug abuse abstinence immediately prior to admission to the same allied health program or admission to another allied health program. Annual and random testing will be required at the individual’s expense.
• Provide positive letters of reference from employers, if any, within the last six (6) months.
• If the student is readmitted to the program or admitted to another allied health program and the individual fails another drug test, the student will be dismissed from the respective program and will not be eligible for readmission to, or provided a reference for any allied health program.
• Reentry policies apply.
• Students who are dismissed from any and all PCCUA allied health programs for failing a drug test will not be eligible for tuition or fee refunds for allied health courses with a NG, PNP, NA, MLS, PLB, or EMT prefix.

Committee Meeting Frequency, Day, Time, and Place