Application Process
Application Dates
The application cycle for classes beginning in January 2027 opens on January 1, 2026.
We encourage students to submit applications as soon as possible. In the event of a tie for the last admission, the applicant who submitted their application first will be granted the seat in the program.
NOTE: This is the application for the Arkansas Rural Nursing Education Consortium (ARNEC) Class of 2027 at the following sites: SouthArk Community College, UA Cossatot, UA Hope/TXK, and UA Rich Mountain.
Upon applying for the ARNEC program, you will be required to register for a Survey Monkey account. Please remember this information as a new application must be submitted each application period.
The application submission requires a non-refundable processing fee. Please be sure you are making payment for the ARNEC program application in order for the submission to be completed. Only submit one application per application period.
Admission
ARNEC reserves the right to alter the curriculum and admission policies whenever change is deemed necessary. Admission to ARNEC begins by completing the online application process found at www.arnec.org.
There is a non-refundable $25.00 application fee, payable online, that must be paid before the application can be completed. All applicants must follow all procedures listed on the website. Only complete and accurate applications are considered for processing.
Note: There is a special application and deadline period for this program.
After online payment, the ARNEC application should be completed and submitted. You may only apply one time per application period; multiple applications will result in disqualification for this admission period. The application will be submitted to the primary school of choice that you select when completing the online application.
Students must also complete an application to the college where they are applying and comply with that institution's admission requirements. Students will follow all policies of their admitting institution, which can be found in the institution’s catalog. Students who select a secondary school of choice must apply and meet requirements to that institution as well.
Entrance Requirements
All general education courses, except for one, must be completed by the application deadline (August 31st). The one remaining course cannot be a course that was attempted previously and earned a D or F. This remaining course must be completed by December, prior to classes beginning, with a grade of "C" or higher. Students must have all general education requirements completed by the time classes begin.
All students entering the nursing program will be required to have a criminal background check. Background checks will be conducted at the applicant’s expense prior to the beginning of the program. If an applicant's background check does not meet the requirements set forth by the ASBN for licensure, the applicant will not be admitted to the program. New background checks will also be conducted on students seeking readmission in the program. Satisfactory background checks are a mandatory requirement of the clinical institutions where the practicum courses are held; therefore, if an applicant’s criminal background check is unsatisfactory, the student will be ineligible for the program.
All students applying to the ARNEC program are responsible for reading and acknowledging the information within the Arkansas Nurse Practice Act, ACA §17-87-312. Results of the background check may affect an applicant’s application status and future with the program as certain findings will render the student unable to complete the clinical requirements of the program. According to the ASBN (2017), if an individual has pled guilty, nolo contendere to, or been found guilty of any offense listed in ACA §17-3-102, he/she is not eligible for Arkansas nursing licensure. ACA §17-3-102 provides opportunity to request a waiver of eligibility criteria related to a criminal background in certain circumstances.
During the program, students must refrain from committing any criminal offense which could bar or encumber the nursing license and must abide by all policies and procedures of the program.
Please visit https://healthy.arkansas.gov/boards-commissions/boards/nursing-arkansas-state-board/licensing/criminal-background-checks/ for FAQ regarding Background Checks.
steps for application:
Complete an ARNEC program application online at www.arnec.org.
Graduate from a State Board approved technical/practical nursing program or be deemed qualified by a State Board to sit for the NCLEX-PN exam and show successful completion of the NCLEX-PN exam.
Possess an active, valid, unencumbered LPN/LVN license
Complete the required general education courses from an accredited college or university with a grade of “C” or better.
A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) or above. GPA is composed of the required general education courses. You must also meet the criteria of the primary school of choice. You must also meet the criteria of the primary school of choice.
A copy of all college transcripts for advisement and OFFICIAL transcripts from ALL college(s) by August 31st.
English as a second Language (ESL): All classes are taught in the English language, making it necessary that students are able to read, speak, write, and comprehend the English language proficiently. According to the Arkansas State Board of Nursing Rules for education programs (Chapter 6, section G-Students, c.), “Students who speak English as a second language shall meet the same admission criteria as other students and shall pass an English proficiency examination.”
Drug screen (per admitting institution protocol)
Pre-Entrance Exam: The following guidelines apply to the entrance exam for all ARNEC applicants, beginning with those applying to the 2027 cohort.
A. Students may use previous exam scores taken on or after January 1, 2024. No previous attempts will be used.
i. Students must provide an official transcript regarding the entrance exam results.
ii. The use of calculators will be based upon the entrance exam guidelines.
B. Each student will be allowed only 2 attempts for the NACE exam, the higher score will be used.
C. Each student must score at least a 60% to be admitted to the ARNEC program.
D. Student must allow 2 weeks between each attempt.
E. Monday, September 14, 2026, is the last day to take the NACE exam, one week after the application period closes.
F. All testing must be done in a proctored setting and will not be accepted if taken outside of that setting. NO virtual testing is allowed.
Students will be ranked and selected based on GPA formula using prerequisite courses, entrance exam score, and up to the additional 5 points for qualifying students.
Students must comply with the admission requirements set forth by the admitting institution in addition to the ARNEC requirements.
Acceptance
Applicants selected for admission must notify the ARNEC institution the applicant will be attending in order to verify and accept placement. Students must follow instructions for the accepting institution and program specified deadlines.
Institutional Protocols for Admission (Required but not limited to)
Admission application
Immunizations
Official Transcripts
Program Protocols for Admission (Required but not limited to)
Current American Heart Association: Healthcare Provider CPR Card in compliance with the American Heart Association Basic Life Support (CPR and AED)
Program TB Health Card or proof of negative TB screen (TB Gold)
Hepatitis B (verification of completion or started) or a Waiver form signed
Proof of immunity to varicella. Proof may consist of:
1. Proof of two vaccines, at least 1 month apart or
2. Current 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 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.
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 Advanced Placement of Students policy in the admitting institution’s catalog.
Graduation Policy
Students must have successfully completed all general education courses and all nursing courses with a grade of “C” or better and have met the graduation requirements set by their attending college. Upon completion of the program, the student’s status will be submitted to the Arkansas State Board of Nursing declaring that the student wishes to sit for the licensing examination.
Students who do not achieve final course grades of 78% or higher will not be allowed to progress to the next semester or graduate.
Graduation from the ARNEC program does NOT guarantee the student the ability to sit for the licensure exam or obtain licensure (i.e., unacceptable criminal background check, such as but not limited to violation of Annotated Code 17-87-312.) This is determined by the state board of nursing to which the graduate applies for licensure.
