UACCM | Practical Nursing Admission Process

Admission into the UACCM Practical Nursing (PN) program is a competitive process. A class of 20 students is started each January and August. There are a number of steps which must be completed before you can be considered for the PN program.

Students attempting to enter a class must be admitted to the college by March 1 for the Fall semester and August 1 for the Spring semester.
Placement test scores must be submitted to the Admissions Office. ACT and ACT COMPASS scores may be used. Students may take the placement test (ACT or ACT COMPASS) as many times as they wish. All applicants are required to take the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) produced by Assessment Technologies Institute, LLC to be eligible for consideration. The TEAS will be offered prior to the application deadline. Students will only be allowed to take the TEAS one time per application period. Only TEAS scores given at UACCM within the last three years will be considered. The TEAS scores used from a previous application period must include all four sections. The student must be eligible to make application to the practical nursing program before making an appointment to the take the TEAS test. The student must contact the Nursing Department secretary at 501-977-2156 to make an appointment for the TEAS test.
Students must:
Practical Nursing pre-requisite courses must be completed prior to the program starting date. Students may be enrolled in their final pre-requisite classes at the time of selection.
Students who have been suspended from UACCM for the possession or use of controlled substances, illicit drugs, the unlawful possession and use of alcohol will be ineligible to make application to the Practical Nursing program.
Students must submit a Practical Nursing Program Application by March 1 for the Fall semester or August 1 for the Spring semester.
Students who are selected for admission into the PN program must submit to the Department of Nursing a current American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers CPR card, a completed TB skin test verification, and a completed background check. Students will be conditionally admitted to the PN program for up to two weeks, pending submittal of documents as required by the Department of Nursing. Students failing to submit the required documentation within the prescribed time period will be removed from the program. For specific certification requirements, students should consult the Nursing Department at 501-977-2156 or 501-977-2152.
Students who are selected for admission into the PN program, but who do not enroll at the time of selection, must reapply for the selection process and compete for readmission.
Students who are not selected as a candidate to the Practical Nursing program must submit a new application packet each semester they wish to be considered for admission to the program.

Selection of Candidates

The Practical Nursing Selection Committee is responsible for selecting the best-qualified applicants for admission to the PN program. A Practical Nurse Selection Rating Form will be used to assign points to each applicant according to the TEAS exam, education points and certification points. The Practical Nursing Selection Rating Form will be used to tabulate the points for each applicant. After the tabulation of points, the applicants will be ranked from highest to lowest. Students will be selected for admission into the program based upon the number of points received from the selection criteria.

UACCM is committed to the elimination of all discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, or handicap. The College seeks to comply with all federal, state, and local statues and regulations, including those that promote equal protection and equal opportunities for students, employees, and applicants.

Background Check Upon Admission

The Arkansas State Board of Nursing requires that the provision of the Arkansas Nurse Practice Act pertaining to criminal background checks be provided to students who are attending educational programs leading to licensure. The purpose is to ensure that students understand that completion of the educational program is not an assurance of licensure nor does it guarantee that the student is eligible to take the licensure exam. Click Here for §17-87-312. Documentation that students have received information regarding §17-87-312 will be part of the student’s file once admitted into the PN Program.

Students will be required to complete a background check upon selection into the Practical Nursing program. Students will be conditionally admitted to the PN program for up to two weeks pending the receipt of a satisfactory background check. If the student is unsuccessful in obtaining a satisfactory background check, the student will be removed from the PN program. Students may contact the Nursing Department at 501-977-2152 for additional information.