Practical Nursing

Application and acceptance to the University must be complete to be considered for admission to the Practical Nursing program.  Acceptance to the University does not grant automatic acceptance to the Practical Nursing program.  

The Summer 2023 LPN Application cycle is now open. 

Summer 2023 LPN Application - Full Time

Searcy Campus - 11 months

 Priority Consideration Date:  May 1, 2023.  Priority consideration may be granted and students accepted to the program if all documents and requirements are met by the priority consideration date.  

Application process does not close until class is full.

The next Application cycle will begin on September 15, 2023 and classes will begin in January 2024.

Part-Time Summer 2022 LPN Program Application is now CLOSED. 

Watch website for next cohort start date.

Heber Springs Campus - 18 months

Classes will be held on the Heber Springs campus. Fall and Spring terms are 2 (Two) to 3 (three) days a week.  The Summer term is 3 (three) to 4 (four) days a week. Practicum sites will vary.

The Practical Nursing application is a separate process for the University application process.  Acceptance to the University does not grant automatic acceptance to the Nursing program. 

Priority consideration may be granted and students accepted to the program if all documents and requirements are met by the priority consideration date.  

Application process does not close until class is full.

For a Practical Nursing applicant to be considered for admission the HESI A2 and Accuplacer reading must be taken.  Entrance exams may be taken a maximum of two (2) times within six month of the program start date.  

• A2 HESI-Evaluates basic knowledge:  English, Math, Science, Reading and Critical Thinking
• Accuplacer Reading
• When: Tuesday and Thursday - Feb 15 - May 15
• Where: Exams may be taken on the following ASUB campuses
  • For more information on testing dates and times
    • Beebe Campus  501.882.8812
    • Searcy Campus  501.207.6205
    • Scheduling entrance exam directions can be found here:  https://www.asub.edu/testing-services/testing-lpn.aspx
• A2 HESI Minimum Score Requirements: 
  • • • • • • Reading Comprehension - 70%
            • Grammar - 70%
            • Vocabulary & Knowledge - 70%
            • Math  -  70%
            • Critical Thinking - 760
• Accuplacer Reading Minimum Score Requirement:  227
  • Not required if applicant has taken the Accuplacer with minimum score or higher within the last 5 years or has completed Freshman English I with a grade of "C" or higher. 
•  For more information please contact the Nursing department at 501.207.6256.

• No college course prerequisites
• If accepted - Current TB skin test to be done within 30 days prior to program start date. (Cannot expire during program attendance)
• If accepted - Current Immunization record (Tetanus must be current)
• If accepted - American Heart Association Healthcare Provider HeartCode BLS Training
• NOTE:  Some practicum sites may require proof of vaccination for infectious diseases.  These may include but are not limited to COVID-19 and influenza vaccines.  Unfulfilled vaccination requirements may limit student practicum rotations and objective completion, therefore impending program completion.  

• Four nine-credit terms = $4424.00
• One ten-credit term =  $1225.00
• Total tuition & fees = $5649.00

• Mosby's Drug Guide for Nursing Students 15th ed - ISBN 9780443105937 ($50)
• Anatomy & Physiology for Health Professionals, 4th Ed by Colbert, Ankney & Lee: ISBN 9780134876818 ($75.00)
• Adult Health Nursing by Cooper/Gosnell 9th ed:  ISBN  9780323811613  ($110.00)
• Comprehensive testing package - ATI ($2230.00) 
• Nursing Skills, Pharmacology & IV Therapy Bag ($390.00)
• Equipment: Stethoscope, Penlight, Bandage Scissors ($50.00)
• Uniforms:  ($345.00)
• Drug Screen(x2) & Liability Insurance ($120.00)
• Miscellaneous Program expenses ($500.00)
• Total Books & Supplies $3870.00

• 10 Credit Hours
• Introduces concepts related to basic principles of the nursing profession.  Personal and  professional development and responsibilities are covered related to therapeutic communications, legal and ethical concepts, client and family care as well as interdisciplinary team work.  Includes discussion of particular body system concepts and incorporates anatomy and physiology, nursing and pharmacological skills, and life span considerations for each.  Nursing process is utilized to provide the basic concept of assessment, planning, intervention and evaluation.  Simulation practicum experience is incorporated into the course to assist in application of knowledge to clinical practice.

• 9 Credit Hours
• This course is a continuation of Fundamentals of Nursing I.  It is a study of increasing complexity of skills base while incorporating critical thinking to give safe, skillful, holistic nursing care to clients of all ages using the nursing process.  It is a continuation of personal and professional development and responsibilities as well as communication, legal and ethical situations, client and family care as well as interdisciplinary teamwork.  The course will continue in the discussion of particular body system concepts and incorporate anatomy and physiology, nursing and pharmacological skills, and life span considerations for each.  Concepts related to performance and adaptation of nursing skills and procedures will be incorporated as they related to the skill, safety, and concern for the client in various clinical settings.  Concepts related to the geriatric population are integrated into this course with an emphasis on common geriatric changes and disorders, related medications and nursing care.  
• This course provides supervised practicum experience related to the nursing theory content with an emphasis on planning and implementing, and evaluating the care of the geriatric client in the long-term care facility or alternate geriatric care settings.  The student will develop the ability to adapt nursing procedures incorporating critical thinking to give holistic, individualized client care.  Principles learned in previous courses are incorporated to allow the student to do critical thinking to perform holistic care. The student will participate in community health activities related to theory content and patients throughout the lifespan.

•  9 Credit Hours
• This course incorporates fundamental knowledge learned in prior courses, and prepares the student in the nursing management of patients throughout the life span.  The theory component of this course focuses on nursing concepts including maternal child and basic mental health risk factors and implications related to the medical diagnosis.   Pharmacological, nutritional, and pediatric concepts as well as critical thinking and communication techniques are incorporated into each portion of the course. The medical surgical aspects of the course will include an introduction to healthcare management and progress through the body systems.  Each theory component is designed to assist the student in understanding the nurse’s role in assessing needs, planning and implementing holistic nursing care for patients with specific patient conditions.
• The practicum component of this course has an emphasis on nursing concepts including maternal child and basic mental health risk and implications related to the medical diagnosis.   Medical and surgical problems for patients throughout the life span will be incorporated into the practicum, including care of the obstetrical patient, pediatric patient, basic mental health conditions and medical surgical conditions.  Pharmacological concepts and administration of medications are incorporated into the practicum.  Nursing care is delivered with a focus on specific standards of care related to diagnosis and age of the patient.  Procedures learned in Fundamentals of Nursing I & II will continue to be performed with emphasis on adaptations necessary for the individual client.

• 9 Credit Hours
• This course is a continuation of Nursing I and will include a progression of the study of concepts related to illness and nursing care for patients throughout the lifespan.  Critical thinking and communication theories are incorporated throughout the course.  The pharmacological theory component assists the student to have an understanding of medications used to treat medical surgical disorders and nursing assessments required to evaluate whether an expected or unexpected effect has occurred.  Using critical thinking skills, students will utilize nursing process to learn the holistic nursing care of the patient throughout the life span.
• The practicum component of this course is a continuation of nursing I and will progress in the complexity of nursing concepts and care of the client.  This component of the course is designed to assist the student in applying principles from the theory components and laboratory setting to actual patients in healthcare settings.

• 9 Credit Hours

• This course is a continuation of Nursing II and will include an in-depth study of the concepts of illness and nursing care for patients throughout the lifespan.  Critical thinking and communication theories are incorporated throughout the course.  The pharmacological theory component assists the student to have an understanding of medications used to treat medical surgical disorders and nursing assessments required to evaluate whether an expected or unexpected effect has occurred.  Using critical thinking skills, students will utilize nursing process to learn the holistic nursing care of the patient throughout the life span.  Nursing care in acute, subacute or convalescent stages of illness with integration of pharmacological, mental health disorders, nutritional, pediatric and communication theories will be discussed.

• The practicum component of Nursing III is a continuation of the Practicum component of Nursing II and will include an increase in patient assignment load to develop time management skills and assist the student in the transition from student role to Licensed Practical Nurse role. The practicum component is designed to assist the student in applying medical and surgical care and pharmacological principles learned as well as mental health disorders and care discussed in the classroom and laboratory setting to actual clients in healthcare settings and to transition from student to graduate, recognizing the resultant changes in responsibility to self, clients and other health care team members.  The practicum portion of this course will involve a preceptorship of the student working in a long term care, clinic or acute care setting.  This rotation is a means to strengthen the student’s ability to function as a practical nurse and understand the role as a member of the healthcare team. Leadership and management will be incorporated into the practicum rotation.