Background Check Information
Once accepted into the ARNEC program, all applicants must submit their fingerprints for a state and federal criminal background check.
The link below links to the Arkansas State Board of Nursing's website concerning background check requirements.
Arkansas Nurse Practice Act; Subchapter 3; Annotated Code 17-87-312 (PDF)
Acceptance
Applicants that are selected for admission must notify the ARNEC institution that they will be attending to verify and accept placement. Upon acceptance into the program, the student must provide the following:
Current American Heart Association: Healthcare Provider CPR Card in compliance with the American Heart Association Basic Life Support (CPR and AED)
ProgramTB Health Card or proof of negative TB skin test
Hepatitis B (verification of completion or started) or a Denial Waiver form signed
Proof of immunity to varicella. Proof may consist of:
1. Proof of two vaccines, at least 1 month apart or
2. Varicella antibody titer indicating immunity
Proof of current Influenza Vaccination (within most recent flu season)
All immunizations must be current upon acceptance and maintained during the program. Other immunizations may be required per facility.
Students selected will be contacted by the school that they are accepted. Students must follow the instructions given at that time and meet specified deadlines.
Students accepted into the ARNEC Program will be required to demonstrate PN to RN competencies at the beginning of the program.
Academic Progression
In order to progress in the ARNEC program, the student must meet the following criteria:
The student must maintain a 2.0 “C” (on a 4.0 scale) in all general education and nursing classes, including nursing practicum, to progress to the next semester. Nursing courses require students to achieve at least a 78% (lowest “C” grade) to progress.
Students must maintain compliance with ARNEC's policies and procedures to progress to the next semester or graduate.
Academic Progression
In order to progress in the ARNEC program, the student must meet the following criteria:
The student must maintain a 2.0 “C” (on a 4.0 scale) in all general education and nursing classes, including nursing practicum, to progress to the next semester. Nursing courses require students to achieve at least a 78% (lowest “C” grade) to progress.
Students must maintain compliance with ARNEC's policies and procedures to progress to the next semester or graduate.
Transfers
Due to differences in nursing curriculum in other nursing programs, ARNEC will not accept transfer credit for previously taken Registered Nursing courses. Students who were enrolled in another program will follow the same requirements and admission procedures as students who have never attended another nursing program.
Advanced Placement of Students
Refer to the Advanced Placement of Students policy in the admitting college’s catalog.
Graduation Policy
Students must have successfully completed all general education courses and all nursing courses with a grade of “C” or better. Upon completion, the student’s status will be submitted to the state board of nursing declaring that the student wishes to sit for the licensing examination.
Graduation from the ARNEC LPN/LVN - to - RN Transition Program does NOT automatically enable the student to sit for the NCLEX-RN, (i.e., unacceptable criminal background check, such as but not limited to violation of Annotated Code 17-87-312 & Licensing Restriction Based on Criminal Records Annotated Code 17-3-102). This is determined by the state board of nursing to which the graduate applies for licensure. Completion of the ARNEC program does not guarantee that you will be granted licensure to practice as a nurse or that you are deemed eligible to test for the NCLEX-RN exam. Successful completion of the ARNEC program and receiving a license through the Arkansas State Board of Nursing or receiving a license through another state of residence does not guarantee license reciprocity in all 50 states.
