PN Admission Application
Application
Admission into the PN Program is competitive. Students who meet the minimum requirements are eligible to submit an application for admission.
- Application Deadline - June 1st for fall entry into the program
- Eligible students must submit an application to the Coordinator of Academic Support Services for the College of Health Sciences prior to the application deadline
Selection
Selection is based on the following system:
- Quality Points earned for courses on PN degree plan (college credit earned through CLEP or AP for a course
will not be used for ranking purposes)* - Scored earned on the NLN PAX-RN
*Selection for those students with no prior college work is based solely on the NLN PAX-PN or PAX-RN score
NOTE: In the event that applicants have identical ranking scores, priority will be given to the student with the highest cumulative grade point average. Top applicants will be offered positions for the available seats in the PN Program. Meeting the minimum criteria for admission or taking courses on the PN degree plan does not guarantee admission into the program. Students not admitted must reapply to be considered for another semester. Students chosen as alternates are not guaranteed a position in the next class.
Additional Documentation
Students admitted into the PN program must submit the following additional documentation prior to fall entry:
- Healthcare Provider Statement/Medical Release form
- Proof of immunizations
- CPR Certification: American Heart Association CPR for Healthcare Providers
- Criminal Background Check (Clinical facilities require a criminal background check on CHS students and have the authority to deny clinical training in their facility. Students unable to practice in clinical agencies because of an adverse or negative background check will be unable to complete the program objectives, halting continued progression in the student's program of study.)
- Drug Screen (Admission into the PN Program is contingen on a negative drug screen.)
Degree Requirements
View the degree requirements for the LPN Technical Certificate.
Student Health Statement/Medical Release Form
Students accepted into any of the College of Health Sciences programs will be required to provide documentation of good physical and mental health by completion of the Healthcare Provider Statement/Medical Release form. Documentation of all health problems and a medical release form will be required. Copies of immunization records and a valid CPR certification must be submitted. No student will be allowed to attend a clinical rotation without the required health data records.
NLN Pre-Admission Exam (PAX-PN)
The PAX-PN will be given at least 5 times a year. Registration for the PAX-PN is required in advance of the scheduled exam dates. Test candidates are required to create a user account, complete an on-line registration form, and make payments at www.nlnonlinetesting.org. The content areas of the PAX-PN exam include: Science, Math, Verbal skills, Reading comprehension, Health and First Aid. The test is timed for three (3) hours.
- The non-refundable test fee is $35.00. If you cancel and re-schedule a test, you are required to pay a new test fee of $35.00 plus a $15.00 service charge to NLN.
- A study guide and general test information is available at www.nlnonlinetesting.org.
There is a 3 month waiting period before those who fail the test can retake it again. Students are allowed one retake during that semester. Retakes are for test failures only. The most recent score will be used for ranking purposes. Scores may be used for two years following the date of examination.
Pre-Entrance Exam Dates
2012 Exam Dates & Registration Information
Progression
Science courses taken more than five years prior to entering the program will be evaluated on an individual basis by the Executive Director of the Carolyn McKelvey Moore School of Nursing and the Dean of the College of Health Sciences. See your advisor for more information and to request a science course evaluation.
The PN Program is competency based in skills and theory. A student must demonstrate satisfactory clinical performance, 100 percent mastery on all Competency Performance Evaluations (CPE), and maintain a minimum average cumulative score of 77 percent on Competency Performance Assessments (CPA) including the final CPA for each course.
A student dropped for academic or any other reason may apply for readmission if in compliance with the UA Fort Smith Student Academic Progress Policy as outlined in the course catalog. A student who discontinues the nursing sequence for academic or any other reason must petition for readmission to the PN Program. The readmission requirements are found in the PN Student Handbook (see the Readmission Criteria & Procedure Policy). The student is not guaranteed a position for readmission. A student who is readmitted is accountable for the degree requirements in effect at the time of readmission.
A grade of “C” or better is required in ALL courses applicable to the Technical Certificate in Practical Nursing.
Graduation
To earn a PN certificate, a student must earn a grade of "C" or betting in all required courses applicable to the PN Program; earn a minimum of a 2.00 cumulative GPA in all course work required for the major; and earn a minimum of a 2.00 cumulative GPA on all work attempted at the University. The student must meet with the Coordinator of Academic Support Services to complete the graduation application the semester prior to graduation.
After being granted the Technical Certificate in Practical Nursing, the student is eligible to apply to take the National Council Licensure Examination for a licensed practical nurse (NCLEX-PN).
Clinical Education
The Practical Nursing Program places a strong emphasis on clinical education. Clinical experiences provide students with the opportunity to practice the skills necessary to become competent licensed practical nurses. Over the course of one year, students follow a structured rotation schedule through the clinical sites. Major clinical sites for the Practical Nursing Program are listed below:
Sparks Regional Medical Center
1001 Towson Avenue
Fort Smith, AR 72901
St. Edward Mercy Medical Center
7301 Rogers Avenue
Fort Smith, AR 72903
Healthsouth Rehabilitation Center
1401 South J Street
Fort Smith, AR 72901
Methodist Nursing Home
1915 S 74th Street
Fort Smith, AR 72903
