Nursing

Allied Health B&W with blue

BRTC's Registered Nursing, Practical Nursing, and Nursing Assistant programs have been recognized as outstanding nursing education programs in the state of Arkansas.

BRTC's nursing program supports the mission of Black River Technical College through our intentional presence in all we do to innovatively educate our diverse students by utilizing modern technology and evidence-based practice while emphasizing nursing tradition in order to prepare them to have a positive influence on our ever-changing healthcare system today, tomorrow, and in the future.

Nursing
Assistant

Pocahontas & Paragould
1-semester program

Practical
Nursing

Pocahontas only
10.5-month program

Registered
Nursing

Pocahontas & Paragould
2-year program

  • BRTC's Registered Nursing and Practical Nursing programs are offered solely on the Pocahontas campus.
  • The LPN-to-RN Bridge program is offered at our AMMC Paragould classrooms.
  • Nursing Assistant classes are offered on both campuses.

Students who have completed a healthcare certificate or degree from BRTC have successfully gained employment at healthcare facilities such as

  • Arkansas Methodist Medical Center
  • Encompass Health
  • Mid-South Health Systems
  • NEA Baptist Medical Center
  • Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center
  • St. Bernards Five Rivers Medical Center
  • St. Bernards Medical Center
  • Long-term care facilities, health units, and medical clinics

Graduates of Black River Technical College’s Practical Nursing and Registered Nursing programs can expect to find ample opportunities for employment. The demand for nurses continues to increase faster than the average career field in recent years. This growth in job opportunities for LPNs and RNs is in response to the growing healthcare needs of individuals living longer lives and surviving longer with once life-threatening healthcare conditions. The growth in general health care services has also contributed to the increased demand for nurses.

Nurses can decide to work as an LPN or RN or continue their education at a four-year university, becoming Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) which includes Nurse Practitioners (NP), Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM), and Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), or choose to become a nurse educator, nurse manager, or a number of professional nursing career paths.  Black River Technical College offers articulation agreements with multiple four-year universities in Arkansas and Missouri.  The field of nursing provides endless opportunities for career success.

Interested in joining nursing education?  Here is a great website to view of the milestones in the field of education! A History of Nursing Education

Professional Nursing Organizations and Resources

Study Guide Links

How to Apply to a BRTC Nursing Program

All nursing programs require the student to submit the following:

  1. Enroll in BRTC
  2. Complete the nursing program application.

Students must be accepted into the program before taking nursing courses. The nursing department will notify each student directly.

Important Information

Black River Technical College nursing programs meet the minimum requirements for approval by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing.

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.

Graduating from a nursing program does not ensure that a student will be deemed eligible to take the NCLEX.  

Eligibility to sit for the NCLEX-RN or NCLEX-PN is dependent upon the following:

  1. Successful completion of the nursing program AND
  2. Approval from the State Board of Nursing of the state in which the student resides.

Program Application Info

Nurse Practice Act §17-87-312

All nursing students must be aware of and adhere to the Nurse Practice Act.

  • All nursing students are mandated by state law to be fingerprinted and have a criminal background check by the Arkansas State Police and the FBI at the student’s expense.
  • Persons convicted of certain crimes may not be eligible to take the state board examination.
  • Completion of this program does not guarantee eligibility to write state board examination according to the Nurse Practice Act §17-87-312.

Licensing Restrictions Based on Criminal Records

All nursing students must be aware of this law.

Licensing Restrictions Based on Criminal Records, ACA §17-3-102:  For more information on background checks

Nursing Contacts