How To Become a Nurse in Arkansas 2025

If you live in Arkansas and are interested in pursuing a nursing career, you may be wondering about the steps you'll need to take. Specifically, you're wondering about the education and licensing process in your state.

If this sounds like you, keep reading. Below, we'll discuss how to become a nurse, providing a step-by-step process and looking at some good nursing schools to consider in Arkansas.

What Does an RN Do?

A certified registered nurse (RN) is a healthcare professional who plays an essential role in many different clinical settings. Some of the many job duties of RNs include:

• collaborating with doctors and specialists in creating care plans for patients
• assisting other healthcare professionals with procedures and operations
• conducting patient assessments
• providing basic care like checking vital signs, administering medications, and performing CPR
• educating and advocating for patients

There are various levels of nursing jobs available; RNs often supervise entry-level professionals, such as certified nurse assistants (CNAs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs). In turn, they may work under advanced professionals, including physicians and nurse practitioners.

How Long Does It Take To Become a Nurse in Arkansas?

Different types of nursing programs run for different lengths of time. If you're just beginning your academic journey, you'll most likely enroll in an associate degree in nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. ADNs typically take about two years to complete, while BSN programs usually last three to four years.

If you already have experience as an LPN or other entry-level professional, or if you have a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field, you could finish your education more quickly. Some schools offer accelerated nursing programs online or in-person that build on students' previous education or experience. These programs can sometimes be completed in as little as one year.

5 Steps To Become a Registered Nurse in Arkansas

You'll need to meet a few educational requirements for nurses to pursue RN licensure in Arkansas. Let's take a closer look at each step in the process.

Step 1: Earn a High School Diploma or GED

Nursing schools always require students to have a high school diploma or equivalent level of education, such as a GED, as a condition of enrollment. If you haven't yet graduated from high school or earned a GED, you'll need to do so before you can pursue your nursing education.

Taking specific courses in high school can help you better prepare for the challenging courses you'll take as a nursing student. Some good options to consider include biology, chemistry, and anatomy and physiology.

Step 2: Complete a State-Approved Nursing Program

The next step toward your RN license is to complete a state-approved ADN or BSN program. The program must come from an institutionally accredited school, and the nursing program should be accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Your degree program will combine classroom learning opportunities with skills practice labs and clinical experiences. This ensures a well-rounded educational experience that will prepare you for various nursing jobs.

Step 3: Complete Clinical Training

Clinical experiences are a vital part of any accredited nursing program. They provide students with opportunities to practice their patient care skills in real-world environments under the guidance and supervision of experienced healthcare professionals.

Clinical rotations may be completed in the daytime, in the evenings, or on weekends. Your nursing instructors will help you with scheduling clinical experiences to ensure you work the necessary hours to earn your nursing license.

Step 4: Pass the NCLEX-RN Exam

You can apply for your RN license in Arkansas around 60 days before graduating from your nursing program. You will submit an application and fee, graduation and state of residence information, and submit a background check. As part of the process, you will also register to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for Registered Nurses.

The NCLEX-RN exam is required for nursing licensure throughout the U.S. You can submit a separate application and fee for a temporary permit, allowing you to work as a nurse while waiting to take the exam; however, you must pass the NCLEX-RN to receive your nursing license.

Once you have passed the exam, you can begin looking for work. RNs can find jobs in many healthcare facilities, including doctor's offices, hospitals, long-term care facilities, home health services, and public health agencies.

Step 5: Complete Continuing Education

To continue working as a nurse, you'll need to renew your RN license every two years. To renew without issues or delays, you'll need to meet Arkansas's continuing education requirements.

Arkansas nurses can meet these requirements by completing 15 contact hours of continuing education credits within each two-year cycle, holding a current national certification, or completing at least one college-level nursing course with a grade of C or better. Continuing education ensures that nurses stay up-to-date in their field and keep their skills fresh.

Top Nursing Degree Programs in Arkansas

If you're ready to enroll in a top nursing program in Arkansas, keep reading. Below, we'll look at some high-quality schools in the state that offer nursing degrees, including several with online nursing programs.

1. University of Arkansas

The University of Arkansas is a large public school located in Fayetteville, AR. It offers several nursing degrees for both graduate and undergraduate students.

Bachelor's degree students can complete a traditional BSN program as well as online LPN to BSN and RN to BSN programs. At the graduate level, a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) are also available, with online options for both programs.

• Estimated tuition cost: $10,104 (in-state); $29,966 (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

2. Arkansas State University

Arkansas State University is a public school located in Jonesboro, AR. It offers nursing degrees at every level, including several that can be completed entirely online.

Students can complete traditional, bridge, and accelerated ADN and BSN programs � LPN to ADN, RN to BSN, and accelerated BSN are all available online. Additionally, graduate learners can pursue doctoral and master's degrees with several specializations to help them pursue specific career goals.

• Estimated tuition cost: $8,090 (in-state); $14,522 (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: HLC

3. Arkansas Tech University

Arkansas Tech University is a public school located in Russellville, AR. Students can earn associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees in nursing through this school, as well as LPN and CNA certificates.

A traditional BSN program is available, along with an LPN to BSN bridge program and an online RN to BSN degree. Those hoping to earn an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) can enroll in the school's on-campus program, and advanced students can earn an MSN degree online or in person.

• Estimated tuition cost: $8,674 (in-state); $14,668 (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: HLC

4. University of Arkansas at Monticello

The University of Arkansas at Monticello is a public school in the University of Arkansas System. Various flexible nursing programs are available for students at different levels.

An LPN to ADN bridge program is available for completion within one year; students can also pursue a traditional or accelerated BSN and an RN to BSN program. BSN to MSN and ADN to MSN degrees are also available to help current registered nurses advance in their careers.

• Estimated tuition cost: $9,292 (in-state); $14,857 (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: HLC

5. University of Arkansas at Little Rock

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is another school belonging to the University of Arkansas System. Learners at this university can pursue several undergraduate nursing degrees to start or advance their nursing careers.

Students can pursue traditional ADN and BSN programs, as well as LPN to ADN and RN to BSN degrees. Additionally, an option is available for students to earn an associate degree and pursue RN licensure while working toward a bachelor's degree, allowing them to gain nursing experience and graduate with a bachelor's degree within four years.

• Estimated tuition cost: $9,748 (in-state); $22,158 (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: HLC

Salary and Job Outlook for Nurses in Arkansas

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there are 29,690 registered nurses working in the state of Arkansas. The average annual salary among these nurses is $72,900, which is well below the national average of $93,600.

Despite this, the job outlook for nurses in Arkansas and throughout the U.S. is good. The demand for RNs is expected to increase by 6% by 2033, which is higher than average for all occupations.

FAQs About How To Become a Nurse in Arkansas

If you're still wondering about how to become a nurse in Arkansas, you're not alone. Let's take a closer look at answers to some frequently asked questions.

How Much Does a Nursing Degree Cost in Arkansas?

Tuition costs can vary widely depending on the type of degree and the school you attend. Associate degrees from community colleges are typically the cheapest, while accelerated programs and those from private schools are more expensive. Among the schools featured above, average yearly tuition ranges from around $8,000 to just over $10,000 per year. Those attending online colleges that accept FAFSA can save money by earning financial aid to help cover their costs.

What Are the Prerequisites for a Nursing Degree?

Many nursing schools require prerequisites, which are courses that students have to take before being admitted into the nursing program of their choice. These prerequisites can vary from school to school but commonly include chemistry, math, microbiology, and pathophysiology. Some schools offer self-paced nursing prerequisites online to give students a flexible learning option.

What Is the Fastest Way To Become a Nurse?

The fastest way to become a nurse if you're just beginning your college experience is to enroll in an ADN program. ADN degrees are typically completed within two years.

On the other hand, if you have healthcare experience or a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field, enrolling in an accelerated or bridge program can help you finish more quickly and efficiently, potentially allowing you to earn a bachelor's degree in as little as a year.

What Is the Easiest Nursing Degree?

All nursing programs are challenging, but the easiest nursing degree is generally considered to be the ADN. Associate degree programs are shorter and consist of fewer credit hours than more advanced programs, and they feature primarily introductory coursework.

Whether you enroll in an ADN program or some other type of nursing degree, choosing the best laptop for nursing students can be highly beneficial as you work your way toward licensure.

Find a Nursing Degree

If you're ready to start working as a nurse in Arkansas, consider the colleges and universities featured on Learn.org. Contact any of the schools to find out more about their programs and choose the right one for you.