AHCA SCHOOL OF NURSING
Practical Nursing Program
Our Mission
The Arkansas Health Care Association School of Nursing is dedicated to educating and mentoring healthcare professionals. Throughout the program, we incorporate our core values of Integrity, Connection, Dignity, and Quality as we prepare graduates to demonstrate competency within the scope of practical nursing and to exemplify the highest standards of professionalism.
Program Objectives
Follow the curriculum and clinical experiences guidelines for Practical Nurses as established by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing.
Identify the scope of practice for Practical Nurses, including ethics, communication, and legal responsibilities.
Describe safety and infection control practices.
Define common medical terminology and conditions as used in health care.
Demonstrate competence and proficiency in skills within the Practical Nursing scope of practice.
Demonstrate professional behaviors consistent with long-term care facilities.
Adhere to the policies and procedures of the Program and its clinical sites.
Requirements for Admission
Completed application form.
High school diploma or equivalent.
Certification as a Medication Assistant-Certified (MA-C).
Entrance Exam: Next-Generation Accuplacer (minimum score 237; Math, Reading, & Writing) or ACT (minimum composite score 16).
Four (4) Recommendation letters including one from current employer.
Completion or enrollment in Body Structure and Function with a grade of "C" or higher.
Satisfactory criminal background check (performed in the last 12 months).
Influenza Vaccine (seasonal).
Proof of MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis vaccines (by program start date).
The prerequisite course requirement for the Practical Nurse Program is Body Structure & Function. However, Anatomy & Physiology I and II (A&P 1&11) with labs may be used as a suitable substitute to meet this requirement.
Students must also comply with vaccine, criminal background and drug screening requirements that have been established by our clinical rotation partners. Students who do not meet these requirements cannot complete the clinical instruction and will not be permitted to complete the PN program. If you have any questions about these requirements, please contact AHCA School of Nursing before submitting an application.
Our Locations
All applicants must select one of the following class locations for the Practical Nurse Program: Jonesboro, Little Rock, or Rogers. Nursing classes will only be held in these locations.
If you are unable to attend in person at one of these sites, please do not apply, as attendance at one of these designated locations is mandatory for program participation.
Program Costs
AHCA has secured grant funding through the Arkansas Office of Skills Development to offset the cost of student tuition.
Program Curriculum and Schedule
The Program is 10 months long and contains 36 credit hours in nursing, divided between classroom and clinical training.
Attendance Policy
The Program believes that for students to succeed, students should attend all scheduled class and clinical practicum days. Absences negatively affect a student’s progress and success.
Attendance at all lectures, laboratory and clinical sessions is expected and is regarded as a Program requirement. Students enrolled are expected to be on time, and remain in class, in skills lab, or in the clinical rotation for the scheduled time.
Students are required to attend 85% or greater of scheduled classroom learning in order to meet course requirements.
Students are required to attend 100% of scheduled clinical learning in order to meet course requirements.
A certificate of completion will not be granted until all requirements have been completed.
If greater than five days are missed in the classroom learning portion of the Program, the student will be dismissed and will fail the Program.
Graduate Competencies
At completion of the AHCA Practical Nursing Program, graduates will maintain competency in 4 domains. Completion of this Program does not guarantee licensure.
Clinical Competence
Demonstrate understanding and application of basic nursing knowledge and basic nursing skills.
Utilize the Nursing Process to plan and implement patient care through all milestones of life.
Employ clinical judgement and critical thinking to identify and respond to patient needs, and report data and changes in patient condition.
Promote safety and quality measures to ensure patient safety, safe care delivery and a safe environment of care.
Patient, Family and Community Centered Care
Initiate therapeutic nurse-patient relationships that support wellness, quality of life and meet the individual needs of the patient.
Utilize therapeutic communication that meet the appropriate developmental and cognitive level of the patient and patient family.
Support and respect patients and families in the decision-making process and health care decisions.
Understand concepts of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging and utilize cultural competence and compassion to meet the holistic needs of the individual.
Utilize nursing knowledge and health promotion to meet the nursing needs of the community and improve health outcomes.
Professional Nursing Practice
Adhere to the legal scope of the practical nurse as set forth by the Nurse Practice Act and the Arkansas State Board of Nursing, as well as nursing standards determined by federal, state, local and organizational regulations and policies.
Identify national standards of care and evidence-based practices to enhance effective nursing practice.
Maintain professional boundaries and demonstrate accountability, responsibility and ethical frameworks in professional nursing practice.
Commitment to life-long learning, evaluation of nursing practice, self-reflection and ongoing professional development to maintain competence and contribution to the ever-changing nursing workforce.
Interprofessional Collaboration
Participate in collaborative practice with the registered nurse, the interdisciplinary team, the patient and the patient family.
Utilize effective and timely communication to all members of the healthcare team.
Promote a healthy work environment through utilization of conflict resolution strategies and fostering of questioning and open exchange of information.
Appropriately delegate care to the unlicensed assistive team member.
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Take the first step toward your rewarding career in healthcare!