PN Admission Requirements
Admission Criteria
To be considered for admission to the program, students must meet the following criteria:
1. Complete university admission requirements to include submission of official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended
2. Meet minimum skill levels in English, reading, and math according to the following criteria:
- ACT or COMPASS English scores (taken within the last four years) or course work indicating placement into ENGL 0163 Introduction to Writing or higher
- ACT or COMPASS reading scores (taken within the last four years) or course work indicating no reading required
- ACT or COMPASS math scores (taken within the last four years) or course work indicating placement into MATH 1203 Intermediate Algebra or higher
3. Have a minimum 2.00 cumulative grade point average (GPA) for all college course work (including transfer work and excluding developmental courses)
4. Students may not register for any course more than twice and be eligible for admission into the nursing program (effective June 1, 2012).
5. Earn a minimum overall score of 105 (composite percentile score at the 60th percentile) on the NLN Pre-Admission Exam (PAX PN or PAX-RN) prior to the application deadline
For more information about testing, go to the Testing Center website
NOTE: The application process for the PN Program requires a 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 progression in the student's program of study. PN licensure requires a state and federal criminal background check. Students who have been convicted of a crime, including those that are sealed or expunged, must seek permission from the Arkansas State Board of Nursing to write the licensure exam to become a licensed practical nurse. The criminal background check information and frequently asked questions are located on the ARSBN website at www.arsbn.org; click on the Licensing tab.
