LRSD highlights high‑school LPN pipeline; 7 graduates passed NCLEX and are in RN programs

Miss Montgomery, LRSD director of career education, told the board the district piloted an LPN pathway beginning in 2021 with partnerships across Baptist Health College of Little Rock, Baptist Health Hospital, ASUBB and the Office of Skills Development. She described a summer institute, concurrent anatomy and physiology credit, CPR/First Aid certification, clinical rotations and stipends for students who gave up summer work to intern.

Montgomery reported results from the first cohort: "All 7 of those students passed the NCLEX exam," she said, and added that four of the graduates are employed while all seven are enrolled in RN programs. She described the total investment in the first cohort as "$144,699," and said cohort sizes and retention varied as the program moved from enrolling seniors (who often did not complete year two) to recruiting rising juniors to ensure completion. The program currently has a second cohort of 10 expected to graduate this school year and a pipeline of 14 additional students.

The presentation emphasized cross‑sector supports (stipends via the city's summer youth employment program, on‑campus concurrent classes provided by ASUBB, clinical shadowing at Baptist facilities) and operational details such as transportation, scheduling and childcare that the district and partners addressed to reduce participation barriers. Board members invited program graduates to return and share their experiences with the board in future updates.

Provenance: presentation and results described from SEG 1370 through SEG 1630.