(a) The Department of Career Education is hereby authorized to establish for the technical institutes or vocational-technical schools of this state an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing Program.

(b)

(1) A nursing program shall be established by the department. The nursing program shall be in accordance with the standards established by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing.

(2)

(A) The course of instruction shall also be developed in such manner as to be accredited by the national accreditation association of nursing programs.

(B) The course of instruction shall allow for not more than twelve (12) semester hours of credit for previous nursing education or for nursing experience.

(C) A maximum of twenty-five (25) semester hours of credit by "general education" by challenge, the College Level Entrance Examination, shall be allowed.

(3) Students shall complete a transition course if required by the board which is in accordance with standards set by the board.

(c)

(1) Any technical institute or vocational-technical school desiring to offer the nursing program may apply for approval to the State Board of Career Education.

(2) If approval is granted, the school must then seek approval from the Arkansas State Board of Nursing.

(d)

(1) The State Board of Career Education is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations necessary to implement this subchapter.

(2) The rules and regulations shall comply with the Arkansas Administrative Procedure Act, § 25-15-201 et seq.

(e) Courses of instruction shall be designed to enable the student completing the program to qualify for licensure as a registered nurse upon taking and passing the examination required by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing.

(f)

(1) The program of instruction as authorized in this subchapter may be offered to licensed practical nurses or licensed psychiatric technician nurses duly licensed by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing.

(2) For admittance to the nursing program, the nurse must have:

(A) A minimum of two thousand (2,000) total hours of documented work and occupational experience in a health care institution; and

(B) Documentation from an official of a health care institution that the candidate has been an employee for the required length of time.

(3) For purposes of this subsection, a "health care institution" means a hospital, a long-term care facility, a medical doctor's office or clinic, an outpatient clinic, a residential care facility, any of several state agencies, or employment as a public health, industrial, or school nurse.