NorthWest Arkansas Community College

The program administrator and faculty, in cooperation with appropriate institutional personnel, establish admissions procedures which are non-discriminatory, contribute to the quality of the program, and allow a selection of students with the potential to successfully complete the program. 

There is an established admissions committee which includes the program administrator and an advisory selection committee.

Before applying to the LPN/Paramedic to RN Bridge program, please review the following admission requirements and recommendations.

1. You must have the ability to communicate safely, accurately, and effectively in both written and spoken English.  If English is your second language, you are encouraged to enroll in English as a Second Language (ESL) to enhance your success.
2. Submission of an application does not guarantee acceptance.
3. Overall GPA 2.75*
4. Official transcripts from all other institutions attended must be submitted and on your student record by May 1st.  If the transcript information is not displayed in My NWACC and official transcripts have been submitted to NWACC, contact the Health Professions advisor or Enrollment Support.  
5. Complete the National League of Nursing (NLN) entrance exam with an overall composite score of 138 or better after testing in three categories: math, science, and reading.
   
   • The NLN entrance exam will occur on the NWACC campus – no remote online testing is allowed.
   • A detailed entrance exam email will be sent to all applicants after the application period ends.
   • View the instructions on how to access free online study materials provided by the Arkansas State Library.
6. All licensed health care providers (student) are required to have an unencumbered Arkansas license to practice as an LPN or paramedic and maintain current licensure in order to progress through the nursing program. If the licensed health care provider receives a suspension, revocation or restrictions from the state licensing body while in the nursing program, dismissal will result.
7. LPN Work Attestation Letter - This letter confirms that you have completed one of the following:
   • LPN to RN Applicants - "New graduate" LPN applicants are those who have obtained licensure within the last 2 months, prior to applying to the LPN to RN program.  These applicants will not need to provide work experience, or conduct a validation as part of the  application and selection process. These applicants will also be expected to have completed the pre-requisite general education courses as required by the Associate Degree in Nursing degree plan. 
   • LPN to RN Applicants - LPN licensure obtained within 3 - 6 months: LPN to RN applicants who have obtained licensure within 3 - 6 months prior to applying to the LPN to RN program will need to provide proof of a minimum 500 hours of work experience (in either an acute-care or long-term care setting), and will conduct a validation. These applicants will also be expected to have completed the pre-requisite general education courses as required by the Associate Degree in Nursing degree plan.
   • LPN to RN Applicants - LPN licensure obtained 7-12+ months: LPN to RN applicants who have obtained licensure of 7-12+ months ago at the time of application will need to provide proof of 1,000 hours of work experience (in either an acute-care or long-term care setting), and will conduct a validation. These applicants will also be expected to have completed the pre-requisite general education courses as required by the Associates Degree in Nursing degree plan.
   • Paramedics are not required to submit a letter of recommendation.  These applicants will also be expected to have completed the pre-requisite general education courses as required by the Associates Degree in Nursing degree plan.They must keep a valid license throughout the program. If their  license expires during the program, receives a suspension, revocation, or restrictions from the state licensing body while in the nursing program, dismissal will result.
8. The minimum general education courses MUST be completed by the end of the fall semester in which the application is being submitted in order to be considered eligible for admission. ALL required general education courses must be completed with a grade of C or better. Minimum general education courses:

• MATH 1203 College Algebra*
• ENGL 1013 Composition I 
• PSYC 2003 General Psychology
• BIOL 2214 Anatomy and Physiology I*
• BIOL 2224 Anatomy and Physiology II*
• MBIO 2014 Microbiology
• NURS 9313 Pharmacological Basis of Nursing

*No older than five years old at the time of submitting application to LPN/Paramedic to RN Bridge.

The following courses must be completed prior to starting nursing classes:

• ENGL 1023 Composition II
• PSYC 2103 Human Growth and Development
• AHSC 1123 Electronic Health Records or CISQ 1103 Intro to Computer

The nursing program will only look at the first two attempts of any general education course required for the nursing degree. The highest grade will be used of the two attempts. The student is not eligible for the nursing program if any of the general education courses needed for the nursing degree are not successfully completed with a grade C or better within two attempts.

*If less than 12 credit hours at NWACC, GPA will be calculated from previous college transcripts.

How to Apply

1. Apply for admission to NWACC. - If you are not currently enrolled at NWACC, you need to apply for admission to the college in addition to applying to the nursing program.  Apply now to NWACC.

2. Apply to the Nursing Program - If you have completed all the required prerequisites*, have a GPA of at least 2.75, and have completed the National League of Nursing (NLN) entrance exam with an overall composite score of 102 or better after testing in three categories: math, science and reading, then you are eligible to move on to the next stage of the application process. 

• As a current NWACC student, you can follow these detailed steps on how to apply in Workday to NWACC's LPN/Paramedic to RN Bridge nursing program.
• If you have attended NWACC but have been absent for a full fall or spring semester, you must reapply to NWACC before applying to the nursing program.

Additional info:

• The NLN entrance exam will occur on the NWACC campus – no remote online testing is allowed.
• A detailed entrance exam email will be sent to all applicants after the application period ends.
• View the instructions on how to access free online study materials provided by the Arkansas State Library.

Grades – Points awarded based on your letter grades of your required pre-requisite courses.

Interview - Once the application period ends and applicants have been screened for eligibility, point scores will be totaled for eligible applicants and up to the 50 highest scorers will be invited to interview. After interviews are completed scores will then be re-totaled and up to 40 top scorers will be offered a seat in the track. Applicants, who are offered a seat, will need to score a 70 percent or better in their interview.

The selection of students into the LPN/Paramedic to RN Bridge program is based on a point system. Students with the highest total points are selected for admission. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all eligibility requirements are met.

College Algebra, A&P I&II and Microbiology, Pharmacological Basis of Nursing

• A = 4 pts
• B = 3 pts
• C = 2 pts

Students who complete A&P I, A&P II and Microbiology through an NWACC course will each receive 1 additional preference point.

English Comp I and Psychology

• A = 3 pts
• B = 2 pts
• C = 1 pt

3 points for completing CNA/PCA at NWACC

1 additional point for completing a paramedic course

2 additional points if applicant is a Veteran

GPA points. Ex.: 3.4 GPA = 3.4 points, 2.85 GPA = 2.85 points etc.

After the application period ends, the Selection Committee will invite the 50 eligible applicants with the highest points to interview, after which the interview scores will be added to the total scores and up to 40 of the top students will be chosen. The Selection Committee will contact eligible applicants concerning their placement in the program via their NWACC email address. It is not necessary to contact the nursing department or other Health Professions divisions concerning the status of your application. 

The documents listed below will be required and instructions on how to move forward will be provided. It is not necessary to begin this process until after you receive an admission packet. 

• Proof of current physical exam (within the last three months)
• Proof of current TB Gold test
• Proof of MMR immunization
• Proof of Varicella (chicken pox) immunization OR documented proof that you've had the disease
• Proof of current CPR certification - must be American Heart Association: Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers.  Check EMT for information and availability regarding CPR courses offered at NWACC.
• Urine drug screen (wait for instructions)
• Criminal background check (wait for instructions)
• Proof of flu vaccination (seasonal)
• Proof of Tdap
• Must have access to a computer, internet, scanner, printer, camera and microphone.
• Reliable transportation to all classes, labs, and clinical sites
• Please note: other requirements may be mandated by the clinical sites

If English is your second language and you are seeking admission into the Health Professions programs, you are required to complete an English as a Second Language (ESL) listening test. 

Students can receive more information and/or schedule to take the ESL listening test through the NWACC testing center by calling 479-619-4354 or visiting the testing center page.

The ESL listening test is designed to assess a student’s ability to understand standard American English. A score of 120 on the Accuplacer ESL listening test is REQUIRED for students seeking entrance into Health Professions Programs. A minimum score of 120 indicates the ability to understand complex discussions, such as academic lectures and factual reports. Students scoring below the minimum will need to retest and successfully pass by July 1st.

Criminal Background Checks for Clinicals & NCLEX-RN

Review Arkansas State Board of Nursing (ARSBN) website information regarding background checks on the websites listed below.

Nurse Practice Act of the State of Arkansas

ARSBN Rules

Licensure by Examination publication, Frequently Asked questions about NCLEX section: Frequently Asked Questions

Criminal Background Check Information: Arkansas Nurse Practice Act Sub Chapter 3 Excerpt: Criminal Background Checks - A.C.A. § 17-87-312

Be advised that if offenses are reported on your background check, you might be prevented from completing the clinical portion of nursing courses and/or ineligible to take the NCLEX-RN exam upon completion of the nursing program.  Failure to fulfill clinical objectives will result in failure of the course(s), and could result in dismissal from the program and/or ineligibility to take the NCLEX-RN.

According to the ASBN Nurse Practice Act (sub Chapter Section 3-17-87-312, no person shall be eligible to receive or hold a license issued by the board if that person has pleaded guilty, nolo contendere, or been found guilty of any of the offenses (as identified in Arkansas Code, ACA 17-87-312).
Criminal background checks
Licensing restrictions based on criminal records

The law applies to licensed nurses as well as those individuals seeking licensure. This includes new graduates, nurses applying for licensure from other countries or states and nurses applying for advance practice.