Admission into the UACCM Practical Nursing Program is a competitive process. A class of 24 students begins twice per year.
Steps and Criteria
Step 1
Complete the admission process.
You must be fully admitted before applying for the practical nursing program.
Students who have not attended class or completed an admission application within the last 12 months at UACCM are required to complete a new College Admission Application.
Step 2
Achieve a Minimum Composite Score of 102 on the PAX Exam.
Students must pay a $45 testing and proctoring fee for the exam at the Student Accounts window in the University Center before scheduling an appointment with Testing Services to take the PAX. The exam may be taken before appying to the Nursing program. Students will only be allowed to take the PAX one time per application period. PAX scores will only be accepted from UACCM and must be taken on-site. We will not accept PAX scores taken at other testing centers.
PAX Exam Scheduled
- PAX Exams for Spring admission are given from August 1– October 1.
- PAX Exams for Fall admission are given from March 1 – May 1.
Previous PAX scores from UACCM taken within the last three years may be considered. If the student is submitting previous PAX scores, payment for the test is not necessary. In order for a previous score to be used to determine eligibility, the student must submit a copy of the test results with the program application. It is the student’s responsibility to deliver the scores to Room 100 in the Kirk Building on campus.
Step 3
Complete and Submit the Application for the Practical Nursing Program Online.
Application windows
- Applications for Spring admission are accepted from July 1 – October 15.
- Applications for Fall admission are accepted from February 1 – May 15.
Step 4
Submit a Letter of Good Standing.
Only required for applicants who have previously attended another Nursing program (PN or RN).
A grade of “C” or better is necessary to pass each of the required practical nursing courses. Students who do not meet this requirement for lecture courses must apply for re-admission to the Academic Standards Committee before being permitted to continue in the program.
Any student who has previously been in the Practical Nursing program at UACCM must follow the Readmission/Progression Policy.
Entrance Requirements
Admission to the College does not necessarily qualify a student for admission to the Practical Nursing program. A minimum 2.50 GPA and good academic standing is required for admission to the Practical Nursing Program.
Students who score below these placement scores must complete any remedial courses prior to entering the Practical Nursing program. The ACT, COMPASS, and ACCUPLACER test scores are good for 5 years.
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19 – ACT English
19 – ACT Reading
17– ACT Mathematics
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80 – COMPASS Writing
83 – COMPASS Reading
27 – COMPASS Algebra
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83 – Classic ACCUPLACER Sentence Skills
78 – Classic ACCUPLACER Reading
48 – Classic ACCUPLACER Elementary Algebra
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260 – ACCUPLACER NG Writing
252 – ACCUPLACER NG Reading
230 – ACCUPLACER NG QAS
Remedial Courses that may be required are:
- ACAD 0303 Basic Composition
- ACAD 0213 Reading
- MATH 0803 Basic Algebra or MATH 1253 Applied Technical Math
Students must complete prerequisite courses with a grade of “C” or higher prior to beginning the program. Science prerequisite courses may not be attempted more than two times unless approval is granted by advisor or the Program Chair of Nursing. Students may be enrolled in the prerequisite courses at the time of application to the Practical Nursing program. Only prerequisites that appear on the student’s official transcript at the time of application will count toward the total points for selection.
All eligible applicants will be scored based on a weighted point system.
Students who have been suspended from UACCM for the possession or use of controlled substances, illicit drugs, or the unlawful possession and use of alcohol will be ineligible to make application to the Practical Nursing program.
Students who are selected for admission into the Practical Nursing program must submit to the Division of Health Professions and Natural Sciences office current proof of tuberculosis assessment and clearance; influenza vaccination; hepatitis B vaccination or titer; varicella vaccination or titer; measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination; tetanus vaccination; negative urine drug screening, and a current American Heart Association Healthcare Provider CPR certification.
A mandatory information session will be held at which time information on the required background check will be given; this check must be started before the beginning of the program, and the results must be satisfactory in order to remain in the program. By the first day of class, students are required to provide copies of all required documentation to the Division of Health Professions and Natural Sciences office. Students failing to submit the required documentation within the prescribed time frame will be removed from the program.
The application is only good for one admission period. Students who decline a position or who were not selected as a candidate must submit a new application the next application period to be considered for admission to the program.
Background Checks Upon Admission
The Arkansas State Board of Nursing (ASBN) requires a criminal background check for all graduates applying for licensure. Graduating from a Practical Nursing program does not assure ASBN’s approval to take the licensure examination. Eligibility to take the licensure examination is dependent on meeting standards in the ASBN Nurse Practice Act and Rules and is determined by the ASBN. The student will be required to sign statements, before beginning the Practical Nursing program, that states the student has read and understood Arkansas Nurse Practice Acts, ACA §17-87-312, and ACA §17-3-102 and the specific offenses which, if pleaded guilty, nolo contendere, or found guilty of will make an individual ineligible to receive or hold a license in Arkansas.
Students will be required to complete a background check by the first day of the Practical Nursing program. Students will be conditionally admitted to the Practical Nursing 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 Practical Nursing program. Students may contact the Program Chair of Nursing for additional information.
Selection of Candidates
The Practical Nursing Selection Committee is responsible for selecting the best-qualified applicants for admission to the Practical Nursing program. A Practical Nurse Selection Rating Form will be used to assign points to each applicant according to the PAX exam and education points. Students must score a minimum composite score of 102 points in order to be considered for the program. If the total score was not at least 102, students may schedule an appointment with their advisor, a nursing faculty, or the Program Chair of Nursing to discuss ways to improve points. 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. In the event of a tie, the students with the same score will be ranked according to the application date.
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 statutes and regulations, including those that promote equal protection and equal opportunities for students, employees, and applicants.