The registered nursing (RN) program is an associates degree program which takes between 1 and 2 years. Programs begin each fall and spring.
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).
BRTC does not guarantee that a student will be eligible to take NCLEX. Eligibility is exclusively determined by the Board of Nursing in which the graduate resides. Access to the current Nurse Practice Act annotated codes are located at https://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/topics/arsbn-criminal-background-checks.
Refer to the state in which you reside for any additional licensure requirements.
All BRTC degree-seeking students should demonstrate competency in the general education learning outcomes.
Course Locations
Traditional RN Program
Classes for the traditional RN program are held on the Pocahontas campus.
Clinical experiences are contracted with locations in NE Arkansas and SE Missouri. Clinical site placement will vary and is based upon optimal learning experiences.
LPN-to-RN Bridge Program
Classroom theory instruction will be held at the BRTC classrooms at Arkansas Methodist Medical Center (AMMC) in Paragould.
Simulation Lab days will occur at BRTC Pocahontas.
Clinical experiences are contracted with locations in NE Arkansas and SE Missouri. Clinical site placement will vary and is based upon optimal learning experiences.
Prerequisite Courses
Applicants must meet college entrance requirements. Individuals interested in enrolling in the program must
- take the college exam administered by the college,
- nursing entrance exam administered by the college, and
- have a high school diploma or equivalent (GED).
The following prerequisite courses are required before admittance to the RN program:
- BIOL 2004: Human Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab
- BIOL 2104: Microbiology with Lab
- BIOL 2414: Human Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab
- ENG 1003: Freshman English I
- ENG 1013: Freshman English II
- MTH 1213: Math for Healthcare Professionals*
- NRS 2203: Basic Human Nutrition
- PSY 2513: Introduction to Psychology
*Prerequisite: Each student must meet the criteria under either 1, 2, or 3 as follows:
- Mathematics section: ACT score of 16 or above, Next Gen ACCUPLACER score of 248 or above; OR
- The student must have earned a grade of “C” or higher in MATH 0043 Foundations of College Algebra; OR
- 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.
Military Service Obligations
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.
Gainful Employment Disclosure
As of July 1, 2020, The Secretary of the Department of Education amends the regulations on institutional eligibility under the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA), and the Student Assistance General Provisions to rescind the Department’s gainful employment regulations. https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2019-13703/p-3
In accordance with these regulations, on the Consumer and Mandated Information page you will find links to the disclosures for each of the certificate programs at Black River Technical College which are covered by these regulations.
Traditional Registered Nursing
The Traditional Registered Nursing program offers students a traditional collegiate route the RN field. Classes are held on-campus and students require no nursing background to enter the program.
LPN-to-RN Transitional Pathway
The LPN-to-RN Transitional pathway is a 12-month program that offers LPNs/LVNs the chance to complete their RN degree without retaking PN courses. It enables working LPNs and LVNs to complete their coursework on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Clinical requirements occur on weekends and occasional weekdays. Note: This program offers only Spring admission and the first week of spring classes will require additional weekdays for nursing orientation.
RN Application
Fall Cohort
Opens: February 1, 9:00 a.m.
Deadline: April 1, 4:30 p.m.
Classes begin in August.
Spring Cohort
Opens: September 1, 9:00 a.m.
Deadline: October 31, 4:30 p.m.
Classes begin in January.
No incomplete applications will be accepted; all applications must be complete prior to the deadline.
Important:
- Once the application period opens, submit your applications in a timely manner.
- In the event of a tie in scores, the application date and time may be used as a tie-breaker.
- Upon acceptance into the program, you will be required to complete a Criminal Background Check. NOTE: A positive criminal background check may prevent you from being able to attend clinical and, therefore, prevent you from being able to meet the program requirements.
Traditional Registered Nursing Program
Traditional RN Program Admission Information
Prospective students will be required to complete the following.
Submit applicable documents to the nursing department.
- 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.
- Letter of Good Standing from any previously attended Registered Nursing 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 the 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 of the 2 missing courses 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.
Take the TEAS 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 the Academic Advisor for Allied Health at
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . The TEAS is given on the first Thursday of each month on the Pocahontas campus.
Complete the Application for the Program
- Applicants will receive an email from the Academic Advisor for Allied Health within one week notifying them their application has been received.
- 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 PN program.
- Have an overall GPA of 2.0 or higher.
- Transcript(s) from any college(s) attended other than BRTC. *If you are 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.
Attend the 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.
For any additional questions please contact the Allied Health Academic Advisor.
Traditional RN Degree Plans
Traditional RN Tuition, Fees & Supply List
LPN-to-RN Transitional Pathway
LPN-to-RN Program Admission Information
Note: Sometimes this program is called the LPN to RN Bridge Program.
This program starts in the Spring term only and is one calendar year in length; Spring, Summer, Fall Term progression.
Prospective students will be required to complete the following.
Submit applicable documents to the nursing department.
- 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.
- 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 2nd Thursday of each month on the Pocahontas campus starting Jan 2024. Contact the Academic Advisor for Allied Health to sign up for your exam. NO REMOTE EXAMS SCORES ACCEPTED.
- If currently enrolled in college classes elsewhere, please send a current class schedule within one week of the application deadline.
- Letter of Good Standing from any previously attended Registered Nursing program.
Take the NACE Entrance Exam
- The exam is approximately $70.00.
- BRTC does not allow exams via Remote Proctoring for NACE. 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 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 the Academic Advisor for Allied Health. The NACE I is given on the 3rd Thursday of the month (May-October) on the Pocahontas campus only.
- BRTC does not remote-proctor entrance exams. All exams must be taken at a testing center with a live proctor present in the room.
Complete the LPN-to-RN Application
- Applications open September 1st and close October 31st each year for the program.
- Submit a PDF copy of your exam results with your 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 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 the 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.
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).
Program Selection
- 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.
- 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 non-acceptance. 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.
For any additional questions, please contact the Allied Health Academic Advisor.
LPN-to-RN Degree Plans
The following degree plans map out the course requirements for the entire program.
- 2025-2026
- 2024-2025
- 2023-2024
- NO 2022-2023 program
- 2021-2022 ARNEC Program
LPN-to-RN Tuition, Fees, & Supply List
Gainful Employment Disclosure Information
As of July 1, 2020, The Secretary of the Department of Education amends the regulations on institutional eligibility under the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA), and the Student Assistance General Provisions to rescind the Department’s gainful employment regulations. https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2019-13703/p-3
In accordance with these regulations, on the Consumer and Mandated Information page you will find links to the disclosures for each of the certificate programs at Black River Technical College which are covered by these regulations.
