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Windgate Foundation awards $93,500 for UA Pulaski Tech nursing program expansion

Grant to fund Little Rock – South site nursing education facility

The Windgate Foundation Board of Directors approved a grant of $93,500 to the University of Arkansas Pulaski Technical College Foundation, it was announced Tuesday, April 23.

The award will allow the college to expand its practical nursing program by adding classrooms and labs at the UA-PTC Little Rock-South site, located at 10000 I-30 Frontage Road near the Pulaski and Saline County border, and by funding upgrades to existing nurse training facilities at the Main Campus at 3000 West Scenic Drive in North Little Rock.

The grant period will begin July 1, 2024 and will conclude June 30, 2025.

“We are ecstatic to receive this award to assist in our desire to expand our nursing programs to Little Rock-South site to better serve Saline County and areas south of the city. We extend our gratitude to the Windgate Foundation for their support of our program. Today is a great day to be a nurse!” said Talayia Johnson, dean of the school of sciences, mathematics, and allied health.

UA – Pulaski Tech offers degree and certificate programs in practical nursing, certified nursing assistance, and medication assistance, as well as a variety of other allied health professional curricula, including radiography, respiratory therapy, surgical technology, dental assisting, health information technology, pre-healthcare studies, emergency medical sciences.

UA-PTC partners with area healthcare organizations to train practical nursing students, provide instruction, and offer clinical rotations. Partners include UAMS, Baptist Health, Cottage Lane Health and Rehab, Ortho Arkansas, Pediatric Complex Care, Saline Memorial Hospital, The Blossoms at North Little Rock Rehab and Nursing Center and the VA.

Among the objectives the college seeks to achieve is to increase enrollment in practical nursing technical degree program from 50 students to 70 students by fall 2024.

UA–PTC admits a cohort of practical nursing students each fall; those students master nursing through theory instruction and clinical experiences in a one-year, 50-hour program accredited by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing. Students complete courses in medical terminology; clinical nursing; body structure and function; mental health nursing; nursing care of adults; nutrition in health and illness; nursing care of mothers, infants and children and nursing process/course review. They also complete clinical rotations and prepare for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN®).

Based in Little Rock, Arkansas, the Windgate Foundation has provided grants across the United States since 1993, funding arts education, K-12 education, higher education and more. The foundation has previously awarded UA – Pulaski Tech $5 million in grants since 2008.