Licensed Practical Nursing

Nursing / LPN

Overview

The Practical Nursing Program at South Arkansas Community College, approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing, is designed to prepare practical nurses to assist in providing nursing care in a variety of acute and convalescent health care environments for patients across the lifespan.

Students seeking admission to the nursing program must complete all pre-nursing courses as outlined below. The program offers a three-semester day class in El Dorado and a three-semester day class at our satellite campus in Warren in addition to a four-semester evening class in El Dorado. The day classes begin each January and conclude in December.

The evening class begins on an alternating January and August schedule. Students admitted to the day class are expected to complete the program in three semesters (12 months). Students admitted to the evening class are expected to complete the program in 4 semesters (18 months).

Each unit or segment of the program must be successfully completed in order to proceed to the next level. Graduates of either of these programs will be qualified to give bedside nursing care including: administration of medications, performance of a variety of procedures requiring technical skills; and the application of scientific principles, such as sterile technique.

Upon successful completion of this program, the student will be awarded the Technical Certificate in Practical Nursing and will be eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for Practical Nurses.

The awarding of the certificate in practical nursing is not contingent upon the successful completion of the NCLEX examination. Successful completion of the NCLEX examination allows the individual to practice nursing as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). There is an application deadline for each class.

What do nurses do?
Nurses evaluate patients and record their findings, keep records of their symptoms and progress, administer medications and help instruct the family in proper health care. These services have traditionally been performed in hospitals. However, the changing health-care delivery system in the United States has brought more choice in selecting work settings for experienced nurses.

As a staff or primary care nurse, you would work in hospitals, clinics, schools and industry providing direct care to patients. With experience and additional education, you can advance to an administrative position as a head nurse, advanced practice nurse, nurse educator or supervisor.

Accreditation / Approval
The South Arkansas Community College nursing program is approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing. Graduates of the practical nursing program receive a technical certificate in nursing and are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination, which is required for practice in Arkansas.

Accrediting Agencies

Arkansas State Board of Nursing

 

Faculty & Staff

• Keitha Davidson, RN, MSN
• Karen Boykin, RN, ADN
• Peg Cole, RN, ADN
• Roslyn Nipper, RN, ADN
• Genevieve White, RN, MSN
• Brenda Murphree, RN, ADN
• Abbie Gail Jeffers, RN, ADN
• Cheryl McKinnon, RN, BSN
• Brett Powell, RN, ADN
• Kathy Modica, Administrative Specialist  

Licensed Practical Nursing Advisory Committee

Jo Ann Bridges, ChairDirector Women’s Center
Medical Center of South Arkansas[email protected]Keitha Griffith, Chief Nursing Officer
Medical Center of South Arkansas[email protected]Karen WomackDirector of Nursing
Oak Ridge Nursing Home[email protected]Sandra OwensDirector of Nursing
Hillsboro Manor Nursing Home[email protected]Brenda HopsonRegistered Nurse
Medical Center of South Arkansas[email protected]Keitha DavidsonDirector of Nursing
South Arkansas Community College[email protected]Barbara HendersonDirector of Nursing
Timberlane Nursing Home[email protected]Adah MayhanConsumer Representative

Emy ButlerStudent Representative
South Arkansas Community College[email protected]Arthur BrownDean of Health and Natural Sciences

[email protected]Dr. Val CantuVice President for Learning

[email protected]

Admission

Applicants to any of the LPN professional programs MUST:

1. provide official copy of high school transcript or GED equivalency with transcript.
2. provide official transcripts from all colleges attended, if applicable.
3. complete all general admissions procedures to the college.
4. complete all necessary basic studies requirements according to placement tests.
5. complete all pre-nursing courses with a 2.0 or greater GPA on a 4.0 grading scale.
6. have an overall GPA of 2.0 or greater.
7. complete and submit Health and Natural Sciences application packet
8. successfully complete the HOBET 5, achieving acceptable scores in all areas.
9. meet with nursing academic advisor.
10. provide proof of background check required upon entry to the program.
11. provide proof of an unencumbered drug screen upon request.
12. provide proof of current AHA CPR certification – Health Care Provider – OR Arkansas Department of Health approved equivalent course.
13. provide proof of PPD skin test or evidence of negative chest x-ray if skin testing not allowed.
14. provide proof of Hepatitis B immunization or must sign Declination Statement.
15. provide proof of immunity to varicella by supplying one of the following:
    
    • proof of vaccination
    • physician statement verifying student had disease
    • varicella antibody titer indicating immunity

Please Note:
Effective for August, 2012 Applicants:  Students must be enrolled in no more than two (2) nursing prerequisite courses during the semester immediately prior to the semester in which the student desires admission to the LPN program (example, during the summer term prior to fall admission OR during the fall semester prior to spring admission).  All remaining pre-nursing courses must be successfully completed by the end of the semester prior to the beginning of the professional program.

Applicants will be selected based on a point system derived from a combination of GPA and HOBET 5 scores.  Students will be allowed to take the HOBET 5 three times, and the highest HOBET 5 score on file at the application deadline will be the score that is accepted.

Applicants who are seeking re-admission into the Practical Nursing Program must submit a new application packet. If the HOBET 5 score is less than 12 months old, it will be accepted; if it is older than 12 months, the HOBET 5 must be repeated.  No concurrent enrollment of prerequisites and professional program courses will be allowed. 

Application Deadline

To apply for admission to a HNS Professional Program, applicants must have completed:

• all basic studies requirements,
• all prerequisite classes (or be currently enrolled in) as specified in the SouthArk catalog for each professional program.

See SouthArk catalog for specifics regarding each program’s requirements and/or consult program advisor.

Program

Class Begins

Application Deadline

LPN – Spring Days and Warren

January, 2015
Spring Semester

September 25, 2014
By 5:00 p.m.

LPN -Evenings

January, 2016
Fall Semester

TBA

RN

January, 2015
Spring Semester

  August 31, 2014

Surgical Technology

Fall Semester
2015

Currently Accepting Apps until filled

OTA

Summer Semester
2015

April 01, 2015

PTA

Summer Semester
2015

March 1, 2015

Radiologic Technology

Fall Semester
2015

 March 30, 2015

EMT

  Fall & Spring
Semester

 No Application Process – 
Open Enrollment Until Filled 

Paramedic

August, 2013
Fall Semester

 Applications Due
 July 18, 2014

CNA

 CNA Classes offered each Semester
Fall/Spring/Summer

 Applications Available 
until filled 

Respiratory Therapy

Fall Semster
2015

April 28, 2015

Coding – HIT

August, 2014

No Application Process –
Open Enrollment Until Filled 

Transcription – HIT

August, 2014

No Application Process – 
Open Enrollment Until Filled

MLS

Fall Semester
2014

Applications Available until filled

Phlebotomy/EKG

Fall Semester
2014

Applications Available until filled

Catalog

Coming soon!