General Admission Information:
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 Nursing Track I program, please review the following admission
requirements and recommendations.
- Applicants must attend a pre-nursing information session within one year prior to
applying.
- 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.
- Applicants will be required to take the HESI A2 as part of the application process,
registration information about the test will be sent to you via your NWACC email account
after the application closes. See additional information under How to Apply.
- Submission of an application does not guarantee acceptance.
- Overall GPA 2.75*
- 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.
- The minimum general education courses MUST be completed by the end of the spring 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 Accelerated*
- 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 Track I.
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
The nursing program will only look at the first two attempts of any general education
course required for the nursing degree. For courses used in points, the highest grade
will be used of the two attempts and points awarded accordingly. 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 - Complete the Nursing Track I Application
HESI A2 exam - Once the application period closes, specific dates and times for the HESI A2 will
be emailed to applicants. NWACC email is the required email for communication. It
is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that the HESI entrance exam registration
form has been completed and turned into the nursing department by the designated deadline.
The HESI entrance exam may only be taken once per application period. Failure to pass
the HESI after 3 attempts will make you ineligible for the program. The testing component
is essential to maintain eligibility. Failure to take the HESI test or provide previous
HESI scores (no older than 1 year) by the posted deadline will disqualify the applicant.
Students must have a minimum score of 75% in all four sections to pass the test.
Sections will cover Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary, Math and Anatomy & Physiology.
Review Sheets - are automatically generated and will only be sent to applicants ONCE. After the
HESI entrance exam, review sheets will be sent to all applicants. During this time,
the applicant will be able to evaluate the information that has been populated from
their record. Applicants have ONE WEEK to contact the nursing department to discuss
any discrepancies that are found. Courses that are currently in-session will not populate
onto this review sheet, given that the grade for this course will not post until the
end of the current semester.
Interview - Once HESI exam is complete, top scoring eligible applicants (grades and HESI) will
be scheduled for interviews with the Selection Committee.
Selection Criteria:
The selection of students into the Nursing Track I 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.
A & P I & II and Microbiology, Pharmacological Basis of Nursing
- A = 4 pts
- B = 3 pts
- C = 2 pts
The required science courses needed for the Nursing degree that are taken at NWACC
will receive an additional 1 point with a maximum of 3 additional points.
English Comp I, Psychology and Math
- A = 3 pts
- B = 2 pts
- C = 1 pt
HESI A2 exam = Up to 40 points (a minimum of 75% is required in each section in order
to be eligible for the Nursing Program)
- Reading sub score 10
- Vocabulary score 10
- Math sub score 10
- A & P score 10
3 additional points awarded for successfully completing the NWACC CNA course
3 additional points awarded for successfully completing the NWACC PCA course
3 additional points awarded for successfully completing the NWACC Paramedic Program
2 additional points are awarded to active military and ex-military personnel
Up to 30 points for the interview
Program Acceptance:
After the HESI testing is complete, the Selection Committee will interview the top
50 eligible scoring applicants from which 40 students will be chosen. Interview scores
are included within an applicant's overall points. The Selection Committee will contact
eligible applicants concerning their placement in the program. Please DO NOT contact the nursing department or Health Professions divisions concerning
your application. A review sheet will be sent to your NWACC email allowing you to follow up within
one week of the receipt date.
Upon acceptance to the program, you will receive an admission packet which includes
specific directions, fees and deadlines. The documents listed below will be required
(instructions provided in the admission packet). The cost is approximately $122.
Please do not begin this until you receive your packet with instructions:
- Proof of current physical exam (within the last three months)
- Proof of medical insurance coverage
- Proof of current TB skin 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
- Access to computer with Internet and printing capabilities
- Reliable transportation to all classes, labs, and clinical sites
- Please note: other requirements may be mandated by the clinical sites
English as a Second Language:
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 92 or higher on the COMPASS ESL listening test (taken
within the last three years) OR a score of 120 or higher on the Accuplacer ESL listening
test is REQUIRED for students seeking entrance
into Health Professions Programs. A minimum score or higher 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
Arkansas State Board of Nursing (ARSBN) website information regarding background checks:
Nurse Practice Act of the State of Arkansas, Sub Chapter 3 Licensing, Section 17-87-312
criminal background checks: Nurse Practice Act Sub-Chapter 3 Licensing
ARSBN Rules, Chapter 2 Licensure, Section V Criminal Background Checks: ASBN Licensure Criminal BAckground Checks
Licensure by Examination publication, Frequently Asked questions about NCLEX section:
Frequently Asked Questions
Criminal Background Check Information: ASBN NCLEX Exam Criminal Background Check
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).
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. Additional information is available
by accessing the Nurse Practice Act (Sub Chapter Section 3-17-87-312) at: Nurse Practice Act Sub-Chapter 3
