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The BRTC Practical Nursing and Registered Nursing programs have been recognized as outstanding nursing education programs in the state of Arkansas.
We support the mission of Black River Technical College through our intentional presence in all we do to innovatively educate our diverse students by utilizing modern technology & evidence-based practice while emphasizing nursing tradition in order to prepare them to have a positive influence on our ever-changing healthcare system today, tomorrow, and in the future.
BRTC Nursing Programs
The Registered and Practical Nursing programs are offered solely on the Pocahontas campus.
The LPN to RN Bridge program is offered at our AMMC Paragould classrooms.
Nursing Graduates’ Employment
Students who have completed a healthcare certificate or degree from BRTC have successfully gained employment at healthcare facilities such as
- Arkansas Methodist Medical Center
- Encompass Health
- Mid-South Health Systems
- NEA Baptist Medical Center
- Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center
- St. Bernards Five Rivers Medical Center
- St. Bernards Medical Center
- Long-term care facilities
- Local health units
- Local medical clinics
For More Information
Dana Clay
Allied Health Academic Advisor
(870) 248-4150
danac@blackrivertech.edu.
How to Apply to a BRTC Nursing Program
If you are interested in a rewarding nursing career, apply now and become a member of your community’s healthcare nursing team. All nursing programs require the student to submit the following:
- an application to the college if you are not a current student or have not attended BRTC for over 1 year AND
- an application to the nursing program.
You must be accepted into the program before taking nursing courses. The nursing department will notify you directly.
Graduating from a nursing program does not ensure that a student will be deemed eligible to take the NCLEX. Eligibility to sit for the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN is dependent upon successful completion of the nursing program and approval from the State Board of Nursing in which the student resides.
Black River Technical College nursing programs meet the minimum requirements for approval by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing.
Any student whose plan of study is interrupted due to military service obligations while enrolled in an allied health program will be guaranteed readmission upon return. The student will be required to meet the readmission standards set by the program.
Click on the title below for more information about each program.
The practical nursing program combines classroom instruction, simulated patient care, and clinical experience to prepare graduates for a successful career in nursing. After graduation, students are eligible to apply for the national examination (NCLEX-PN) administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, for licensure as a practical nurse (LPN).
Length of Program: 10.5 months
Campus Availability: Pocahontas
Course Availability: Fall
Practical Nursing Application
The application period for the Day Practical Nursing program is February 1st-April 1st (Fall enrollment only) Applications will open at 9 am.
The application must be completed prior to the deadline. No incomplete applications will be accepted.
Practical Nursing Degree Plan
Practical Nursing Program Admission Information
Prospective students will be required to:
- Entrance Exam:
- Students must score an overall minimum of 58.7% on the TEAS 7* to be eligible for the program.
- The exam is approximately $70.00. To purchase a TEAS study guide for the entrance exam see www.atitesting.com.
- BRTC does not allow exams via Remote Proctoring for TEAS. All exams must be taken at a testing center with a live proctor present in the room.
- Submit a PDF copy of your exam results with your application.
- The TEAS must have been taken within the previous 12-months at the time of selection. The Nursing department only accepts the first attempt during the time periods listed below:
- January 1- June 30
- July 1-December 31
- To sign up for the TEAS please email danac@blackrivertech.edu The TEAS is given on the first Thursday of each month on the Pocahontas campus.
- The TEAS must have been taken within the previous 12-months at the time of selection. The Nursing department only accepts the first attempt during the time periods listed below:
- Complete an Application for the program.
- Applicants will receive an email from Dana Clay within one week notifying them their application has been received.
- Electronically sign the PN application to acknowledge understanding of the Nurse Practice Act Annotated Code 17-87-312 and 17-3-102 regarding criminal offenses and licensure.
- Possess physical and mental abilities essential for safe and effective client care and pass random drug screens once enrolled in and throughout the PN program.
- Transcript(s) from any college(s) attended, other than BRTC. *If a current student at BRTC we will have access to this and you do not have to send in these again.
- If currently enrolled in college classes elsewhere, please send a current class schedule within one week of the application deadline.
- Meet & Greet:
- The date will be provided via email following the submission of the application.
- This event is for the applicant and their support group, i.e. spouse, significant other, parents, children, family members, friends, etc.
- Selection Process
- Letters (email) will be sent for acceptance, alternate, or denial.
- Up to 24 of the top-scoring applicants are accepted into the program and 5 alternates are chosen.
- Selection is based on the TEAS scoring only; with a minimum of 58.7% to be a qualified applicant.
- Students must return the formal acceptance to the nursing department by the date specified or the seat will be forfeited and an alternate will be called.
- Anyone receiving a letter of ineligibility or denial who would like additional information may request an appointment.
*The TEAS exam is based on 9-12th-grade science, reading, math, and English language comprehension. The current ATI TEAS study manual and practice exams are available at www.atitesting.com. The exam consists of 170 questions, 20 of which are non-scored pretest items. Each of the four test sections has an individual time limit with a total test time of 209 minutes allotted. For more of a description please visit ATI’s website.
For any additional questions please contact the Allied Health Academic Advisor at 870-248-4150.
Practical Nursing Supply List
These are approximate costs only.
- Class dues $10
- Student ID $5
- Criminal background check for clinical sites $65
- Immunizations $135+
- †Laptop $300
- † Uniforms (4 sets of ceil & 1 white lab coat) $240
- † Shoes (all white, leather) $60
- † ID badge holder $2
- † Watch with second hand or digital seconds display $30
- † Stethoscope $20-$60
- † Penlight $5
- † Earbuds for testing $5
- † Earplugs for testing $5
- † Nursing Supply Kit (from bookstore) $200
- †Book package for the program $550+
- *Liability insurance $16
- *CPR/First Aid card $5
- *ATI online modules package $171
- *Drug screen $35
- *Simulation fee $20
Second Semester
- Class dues $10
- † Uniforms (2 sets of ceil) $100
- *Liability insurance $16
- *Drug screen $35
- *ATI online modules package $171
- *Simulation fee $20
Third Semester
- ASBN License $100
- Temporary LPN license $30
- † Uniform (1 set of ceil scrubs & 1 white scrub top) $75
- *Liability insurance $16
- *ATI online modules package $171
- *Simulation fee $20
- *Pearson Vue NCLEX registration $200
- *Drug screen $35
- *Composite picture sitting fee $20
- *Graduation pin and lamp $65
- *Livescan Fingerprinting $15
- Criminal Background Check for ASBN $38.50
*These items are assessed as fees.
This program is 42 credit hours in length. College fees and tuition costs listed here.
† These items are eligible to be charged to the bookstore for those receiving financial aid.
The required immunizations can be received from your primary care provider or county health department. More information regarding immunizations will be provided at Meet and Greet.
Associate of Applied Science – Registered Nursing
The registered nursing program combines classroom instruction, simulated patient care, and clinical experience to prepare graduates for a successful career in nursing. After graduation, students are eligible to apply for the national examination (NCLEX-RN) administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, for licensure as a registered nurse (RN).
Length of Program: 2 Years
Campus Availability: Pocahontas
Course Availability: Fall and Spring
†Prerequisite: Each student must meet the criteria under either (a), (b), or (c) as follows:
(a) Mathematics section: ACT score of 16 or above, Next Gen ACCUPLACER score of 248 or above; OR
(b) the student must have earned a grade of “C” or higher in MATH 0043 Foundations of College Algebra; OR
(c) transfer into BRTC and be eligible to register for College Algebra or the student will be required to enroll in MATH-0001 Math Enrichment (1 credit hour course). College Algebra will not substitute for this course, this is primarily instruction for correct Dosages and Calculations.
Traditional Registered Nursing Application
The application period for the Traditional Registered Nursing program is open February 1st -April 1st (Fall enrollment) and September 1st-October 31st (Spring enrollment). Applications will open at 9 am.
The application must be completed prior to the deadline. No incomplete applications will be accepted.
Traditional Registered Nursing Degree Plan
Traditional Registered Nursing Program Admissions Information
Prospective students will be required to:
Complete all pre-professional curricula with a grade of “C” or higher.
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- If a student has received D or F in a prerequisite and has not retaken course with a “C” or higher, they are ineligible for the selection process, even if they are registered to retake the course over break/summer.
- Students applying for Fall term admittance, may be lacking up to 2 courses at the time of selection in May, neither may be Human Anatomy & Physiology I with lab. If the applicant is selected, the courses lacking must be completed over summer terms with a C or higher prior to starting in Fall term.
- Students applying for Spring admittance must have all 8 prerequisite courses complete at the time of selection in December.
Selection for the program is based on the following:
- Prospective students will be required to:
- Entrance Exam:
- Students must score an overall minimum of 58.7% on the TEAS 7* to be eligible for the program.
- The exam is approximately $70.00. To purchase a TEAS study guide for the entrance exam see www.atitesting.com.
- BRTC does not allow exams via Remote Proctoring for TEAS. All exams must be taken at a testing center with a live proctor present in the room.
- Submit a PDF copy of your exam results with your application.
- The TEAS must have been taken within the previous 12-months at the time of selection. The Nursing department only accepts the first attempt during the time periods listed below:
- January 1- June 30
- July 1-December 31
- To sign up for the TEAS please email danac@blackrivertech.edu The TEAS is given on the first Thursday of each month on the Pocahontas campus Only.
- The TEAS must have been taken within the previous 12-months at the time of selection. The Nursing department only accepts the first attempt during the time periods listed below:
- Complete an Application for the program.
- Applicants will receive an email from Dana Clay within one week notifying them their application has been received.
- Electronically sign the RN application to acknowledge understanding of the Nurse Practice Act Annotated Code 17-87-312 and 17-3-102 regarding criminal offenses and licensure.
- Possess physical and mental abilities essential for safe and effective client care and pass random drug screens once enrolled in and throughout the PN program.
- have an overall GPA of 2.0 or higher
- Transcript(s) from any college(s) attended, other than BRTC. *If a current student at BRTC we will have access to this and you do not have to send in these again.
- If currently enrolled in college classes elsewhere, please send a current class schedule within one week of the application deadline.
- Meet & Greet:
- The date will be provided via email following the submission of the application.
- This event is for the applicant and their support group, i.e. spouse, significant other, parents, children, family members, friends, etc.
- Selection Process
- Letters (email) will be sent for acceptance, alternate, or denial.
- Up to 32 of the top-scoring applicants are accepted into the program and 5 alternates are chosen.
- Selection is based on the TEAS score as well as the GPA in the prerequisite courses
- Prerequisite course GPA multiplied by 20; a maximum of 80 points (4.0 GPA x 20=80)
- *TEAS Score=maximum score of 100 points (minimum score required 58.7% to be eligible for the program)
- Students must return the formal acceptance to the nursing department by the date specified or the seat will be forfeited and an alternate will be called.
- Anyone receiving a letter of ineligibility or denial who would like additional information may request an appointment.
*The TEAS exam is based on 9-12th-grade science, reading, math, and English language comprehension. The current ATI TEAS study manual and practice exams are available at www.atitesting.com. The exam consists of 170 questions, 20 of which are non-scored pretest items. Each of the four test sections has an individual time limit with a total test time of 209 minutes allotted. For more of a description please visit ATI’s website.
- Entrance Exam:
For any additional questions please contact the Allied Health Academic Advisor at 870-248-4150.
Traditional Registered Nursing Supply List
These are approximate costs only.
First Semester
- Class dues $20
- Student ID $5
- Criminal background check for clinical sites $65
- Immunizations $135+
- †Laptop $300
- † Uniforms (4 sets of Caribbean blue & 1 white lab coat) $240
- † Shoes (all white, leather) $60
- † ID badge holder $2
- † Watch with second hand or digital seconds display $30
- † Stethoscope $20-$60
- † Penlight $5
- † Earbuds for testing $5
- † Earplugs for testing $5
- † Nursing Supply Kit (from bookstore) $250
- †Book package for the program $550+
- *Liability insurance $16
- *CPR/First Aid card $5
- *ATI online modules package $250
- *Drug screen $35
- *Simulation fee $20
Second Semester
- Class dues $20
- *Liability insurance $16
- *Drug screen $35
- *ATI online modules package $250
- *Simulation fee $20
Third Semester
- ASBN License $100
- Temporary RN license $30
- † Uniform (1 white top) $25
- *Liability insurance $16
- *ATI online modules package $250
- *Simulation fee $20
- *Pearson Vue NCLEX registration $200
- *Drug screen $35
- *Composite picture sitting fee $20
- *Graduation pin and lamp $65
- *Livescan Fingerprinting $15
- Criminal Background Check for ASBN $38.50
*These items are assessed as fees.
This program is 70 credit hours in length. College fees and tuition costs listed here.
† These items are eligible to be charged to the bookstore for those receiving financial aid.
The required immunizations can be received from your primary care provider or county health department. More information regarding immunizations will be provided at Meet and Greet.
Associate of Applied Science – Registered Nursing
Length of Program: 12 months
Campus Location: Arkansas Methodist Medical Center BRTC classrooms for theory instruction. BRTC Pocahontas for Simulation Lab days. Clinical experiences are contracted with locations in NE Arkansas and SE Missouri. Clinical site placement will vary and is based upon optimal learning experiences.
Course Availability: Spring Admissions only
LPN to RN Bridge Application Process
The application must be completed prior to the deadline. No incomplete applications will be accepted. Additional documents that must be submitted to the nursing department include:
-
- Transcript(s) from any college(s) attended, other than BRTC. *If a current student at BRTC we will have access to this and you do not have to send in these again.
- If currently enrolled in college classes elsewhere, please send a current class schedule within one week of the application deadline.
- The National League for Nursing, Nursing Acceleration Challenge Exam (NACE) score must have been taken within the previous 12-months at the time of selection. NACE exams are given the second Thursday of each month on the Pocahontas campus starting Jan 2024. Contact Dana Clay to sign up for your exam. NO REMOTE EXAMS SCORES ACCEPTED.
- Letter of Good Standing from any previously attended Registered Nursing program.
Prospective students will be required to:
- Take Entrance Exam:
- The exam is approximately $70.00.
- Submit a PDF copy of your exam results with application.
- The NACE I: Foundations of Nursing 1.2s exam must have been taken within the previous 12-months at the time of selection.
- NACE may only be taken twice in a 12 month period and must be 4 weeks apart.
- Only the NACE I: Foundations of Nursing 1.2s is accepted. This version was released in July 2023.
- To sign up for the NACE please email danac@blackrivertech.edu The NACE I is given on the second Thursday of month (May-October) on the Pocahontas campus only.
- BRTC does not remote proctored entrance exams. All exams must be taken at a testing center with a live proctor present in the room.
- Complete an application for the LPN to RN nursing program
- Submit a PDF copy of your exam results with application.
- Electronically sign the application to acknowledge understanding of the Nurse Practice Act Annotated Code 17-87-312 and 17-3-102 regarding criminal offenses and licensure.
- Possess physical and mental abilities essential for safe and effective client care and pass random drug screens once enrolled in and throughout the LPN to RN program
- Complete all pre-professional curricula with a grade of “C” or higher
- If a student has received D or F in a prerequisite and has not retaken course with a “C” or higher, they are ineligible for the selection process, even if they are registered to retake the course over break/summer.
- Students applying for admittance must have all 8 prerequisite courses complete at the time of selection in December.
- Students must have an overall GPA of 2.0 or higher.
- Applicants must hold an unencumbered LPN license.
- If a student is currently attending a Practical Nursing program and will be complete at the end of the Fall term, they are allowed to apply. Their acceptance will be contingent on successfully taking the NCLEX-PN by a set deadline.
- Complete a Background check after acceptance.
- A criminal background history may deem the student ineligible to attend clinical rotations. A student who is unable to attend clinicals will not meet course and program learning outcomes, and therefore will not be admitted.
- Attend orientation on the scheduled date(s).
Selection for the program is based on the following:
-
- Up to 24 applicants are accepted each Spring.
- Applications are ranked according to prerequisite course GPA and NACE I scoring.
- Prerequisite course GPA multiplied by 10; a maximum of 40 points (4.0 GPA x 10=40)
- *NACE Score=maximum score of 100 points (minimum score required to be eligible for the program)
- Total of 140 points
- Emails are sent to those accepted. The formal acceptance letter must be returned via email by the specified date to retain acceptance.
- Emails will be sent to those deemed as alternates, denied, or ineligible.
- Alternates are chosen in the event of vacancies due to nonacceptance. Five (5) alternates are chosen based on score. Alternates may be offered admission up to the Friday before classes begin.
- Applicants may make an appointment for academic advising, review of selection scoring, or council regarding a criminal background history.
LPN-to-RN Bridge Registered Nursing Degree Plan
- Degree Plan 2023-2024–BRTC Program
- NO Program 2022-2023
- Degree Plan 2021-2022 ARNEC Program
- Degree Plan 2020-2021 ARNEC Program
- Degree Plan 2019-2020 ARNEC Program
LPN-to-RN Bridge Registered Nursing Program Supply List
First Semester
- Student ID $5
- Criminal background check for clinical sites $65
- Immunizations $135+
- † Uniforms (2 sets of scrubs & 1 white lab coat) $220
- † Shoes (all white, leather) $60
- † ID badge holder $2
- † Watch with second hand or digital seconds display $30
- † Stethoscope $20-$60
- † Penlight $5
- † Earbuds for testing $5
- † Earplugs for testing $5
- † Nursing Supply Kit (from bookstore) $Check back soon!
- †Book package for the program $Check back soon
- *Liability insurance $16
- *CPR/First Aid card $5
- *ATI online modules package $Check back soon!
- *Drug screen $35
- *Simulation fee $20
Second Semester
- *Liability insurance $16
- *Drug screen $35
- *ATI online modules package $Check back soon!
- *Simulation fee $20
Third Semester
- ASBN License $100
- Temporary RN license $30
- *Liability insurance $16
- *ATI online modules package $Check back soon!
- *Simulation fee $20
- *Pearson Vue NCLEX registration $200
- *Drug screen $35
- *Composite picture sitting fee $20
- *Graduation pin and lamp $65
- *Livescan Fingerprinting $15
- Criminal Background Check for ASBN $38.50
*These items are assessed as fees.
This program is credit hours in length. College fees and tuition costs listed here.
† These items are eligible to be charged to the bookstore for those receiving financial aid.
The required immunizations can be received from your primary care provider or county health department. More information regarding immunizations will be provided at Meet and Greet.
Update 01.10.2024 DC