BENTONVILLE, Ark. — The Northwest Arkansas Community College's (NWACC) new practical nursing (PN) program is accepting applications for spring 2025 during the month of July.
NWACC's Dean of Health Professions Mark Wallenmeyer said this new program is designed to meet the healthcare industry's needs in the area, including providing a curriculum that aligns with PN programs in high schools.
"We try to listen to our industry partners' needs and offer what programs we can use to better help the workforce in Northwest Arkansas," Wallenmeyer said. "This is one of the needs that we have heard from the community. The practical nursing program will fill a necessity as the Northwest Arkansas population grows and the healthcare needs grow."
The program, which can be completed in a year, is done in a hybrid format.
"Students can set their hours when they actually want to come to class," said Carla Boyd, NWACC’s director of nursing. "They must come to class a specific number of hours each week. They can choose what day and time and how long they want to come."
The curriculum includes six courses at NWACC's Bentonville campus in the Center for Health Professions building. In addition to the required classes, students will have the opportunity to work with nearby hospitals such as Mercy Hospital and Northwest Health.
High school students from the Don Tyson School of Innovation can also take PN program courses as concurrent courses.
"NWACC has been working with the State Office of Skills Development to offer this practical nursing program at the high school level," Wallenmeyer said. "The high school program will only be offered initially at Don Tyson School of Innovation as part of NWACC’s Secondary Career Center. The push is now for students at the high school level to graduate ready to enter the workforce. This is one initiative that we are proud to be a part of with the state."
Applications will be accepted between July 1 and July 31. Visit NWACC's website for more information.
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