Track I Traditional - Benton County Application

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.

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. 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 *
• 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 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 before 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, complete the National League for Nursing ( NLN) entrance exam with a pass rate of 70 percent or better in each of the three categories: math, science, and reading, then you are eligible to apply to the nursing program. 

• 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 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.

Complete the National League of Nursing (NLN) entrance exam with an overall composition score of 138 or better after testing in three categories: math, science and reading.

• The NLN entrance exam will occur on the Bentonville Campus at NWACC- NO REMOTE ONLINE TESTING IS ALLOWED.
• A detailed entrance exam email will be sent to all applicants after the application period ends. Please check your NWACC EMAIL.
• This exam can take anywhere from one to three hours. Please plan accordingly when registering.

Pre-exam

• Register early as there is a limited number of seats available, and the test cannot be taken remotely. 
• You MUST have this exam as part of the application process.  If you fail to register for the exam, no late testing will occur. There are multiple dates that you may register for.
• Use the enclosed How to Register for the NLN exam to register for the pre-entrance exam. 
• Study material for the exam may be purchased from NLN for $75.00 (subject to change by NLN) The bundle include math, science and reading.  Or you may purchase individual sections as well.
• The exam fee is $52.50 (subject to change by NLN). You must pay NLN for this exam.  It is not included in tuition and fees for the nursing program.  You will receive a confirmation code from NLN that you must provide on test day.
• If you’ve taken the NLN exam within a year at NWACC, you do not need to re-take the exam.  Please notify nursing@nwacc.edu of the test date for validation of prior exam.
• If you’ve taken the NLN exam within a year at another institution you must provide the official scores to nursing@nwacc.edu by the last test date scheduled.
• If you require any disability accommodations, please be sure to ensure to enclose any specific instructions and your accommodation letter from the Disability Resource Center (DRC). 
• Send testing accommodations to Kennetta Wiggins, Assistant Director of Nursing Education, at kwiggins@nwacc.edu

Exam Day 

• Come to the Center for Health Professions (CHP) building on NWACC’s Bentonville campus and locate rooms 1047 and 1054 (first floor) on the date you selected to take the exam. 

• Arrive at least 30 minutes before your exam is to begin. Please wait in the lobby at the NW entrance near the Police Department.

• Know your UserID and password. (Please make sure to log in to something the day before at NWACC to make sure your password has not expired)

• Bring a government-issued photo ID or school ID. 

• Do not wear a hoodie, hat, heavy coat, or smartwatch. 
• Backpacks, purses, computers, or any electronic device will not be allowed in the exam room.  We will provide a cart outside the room for any of these.  Please lock and secure all items in your car or on this cart.
• The testing lab is equipped with computers. 

• Do not bring a calculator – a calculator is provided within the test. 

• A dry erase board, eraser, and dry erase marker will be given to you upon check-in, and you will return to the proctor once the exam is complete. 

 

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.

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 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. 

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 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 the 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

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.