RN Nursing Programs in Arkansas - AR
How to Become an RN in Arkansas
The Fast Route to an RN: ADN
Training to become a Registered Nurse in Arkansas requires a minimum of two years of study once admitted to an RN program. Hospitals and other private facilities provide what is perhaps the fastest route to licensure, through accelerated progrms dedicated to preparing for the NCLEX. In a more traditional educational setting, the quickest route is via a two-year Associate Degree, Nursing program, or ADN. ADN programs can be found all over the state. But prerequisites and applications can take up to a year, making an ADN more of a three year route to becoming an RN. Admission is based largely upon performance in roughly 30 credit hours of study focusing upon topics like biology, physiology, English, math and psychology. It is very important to get good grades as most nursing programs are quite competitive when it comes to entry.
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ADN course work is largely focused upon patient care, but also includes classes in the liberal arts and hard sciences—knowledge of both nursing procedures and good communication and interpersonal skills are vital in a dynamic health care environment. Once all course work has been completed, students prepare for the National Council Licensure Examination-Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN). Application for the exam goes through the Arkansas State Board of Nursing and costs $75. The test itself costs $200, paid to national exam administrator Pearson Vue. Once the exam is successfully completed, a nurse with an ADN receives their license to practice and can begin entry-level work as a Registered Nurse.
Registered Nursing with a BSN: Advanced Training
While an ADN takes much less time, around half of Registered Nurses choose to pursue a Bachelor of Science, Nursing, or BSN. A bachelor’s degree takes four years to complete, but it also opens up the opportunity for specialization and better employment opportunities than other, faster routes to an RN. The first half of a BSN are more or less the same as an Associate Degree, Nursing, with ten prerequisite courses in general studies and general admission to a college required before applying directly to that college’s nursing school. The final two years are what really sets a BSN apart, as nursing students focus on a diverse range of topics like advanced theory and practice, nursing research, maternity, pediatrics and more. BSN students also gain work experience as a BSN contains a practicum component where students work in a supervised setting, giving them hands-on experience and exposure to a workplace setting to determine where their specific interests may lie. The practicum also gives students access to local employers, allowing them to make connections that can lead to work upon graduation.
Like an AND, BSN students take the National Council Licensure Examination-Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN). Application for the exam goes through the Arkansas State Board of Nursing and costs $75. The test itself costs $200, paid to national exam administrator Pearson Vue. Once the exam is successfully completed, a BSN student is able to work as an RN in Arkansas. But, while they have the same license as an RN with an ADN, a BSN graduate often has more options for employment and may enter the workforce in a higher standing. The extended course work has provided them with a level of critical thinking skills that prepares students for a leadership role in a health care setting and beyond. This allows RNs equipped with a BSN to pursue a more diverse array of career options than those with an ADN, which is worth considering when deciding what educational path to choose.
RN Jobs and Salary Information in Arkansas
Registered Nurses are the largest group of health care workers in the United States. And while new hires have slowed down a bit in the slow economy, demand remains high for Registered Nurses in Arkansas and the need for qualified nurses is only predicted to grow in coming years.
Currently, RNs in Arkansas make an average salary of around $57,000 per year (according to BLS.gov) before benefits. This isn’t to say that nursing is a way to make easy money, however. Irregular hours, split shifts, nights, weekends and holidays are all required of working nurses, as patient care is necessary 24 hours per day. RNs must also make tough decisions and take responsibility for their patient’s health, which can be trying for some. From management of Licensed Practical Nurses and Certified Nurse Assistants, to complicated decision making procedures and critical patient care, the decisions and actions of RNs impact the lives of dozens or even hundreds of people every day. But this kind of responsibility and critical thinking can be very rewarding at the end of the day, and no one day will ever be the same for an RN in Arkansas. Whether working in a hospital like two-thirds of RNs or in nursing homes, physician’s offices, private clinics, or another setting, becoming a Registered Nurse in Arkansas is an interesting and rewarding career.
Hospitals in Arkansas with Active RN (Registered Nursing) Programs
314th Medical Group - Little Rock Air Force Base
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Advance Care Hospital of Fort Smith - Fort Smith, Sebastian County
Advance Care Hospital of Hot Springs - Hot Springs
Arkansas Cancer Research Center - Little Rock
Arkansas Children's Hospital - Little Rock
Arkansas Heart Hospital - Little Rock
Arkansas Methodist Medical Center - Paragould, Greene County
Arkansas State Hospital - Little Rock
Ashley County Medical Center - Crossett, Ashley County
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Baptist Health
Baptist Health Medical Center-Arkadelphia - Arkadelphia
Baptist Health Medical Center-Heber Springs - Heber Springs
Baptist Health Medical Center-Little Rock - Little Rock
Baptist Health Medical Center-North Little Rock - North Little Rock
Baptist Health Rehabilitation Institute-Little Rock - Little Rock
Baptist Health Medical Center-Arkadelphia - Arkadelphia
Baptist Health Medical Center-Heber Springs - Heber Springs
Baptist Health Medical Center-Little Rock - Little Rock
Baptist Health Medical Center-North Little Rock - North Little Rock
Baptist Health Rehabilitation Institute-Little Rock - Little Rock
Baptist Memorial Health Care Corporation
Baptist Memorial Hospital Blytheville - Blytheville
Baptist Memorial Hospital Forrest City - Forrest City
Baptist Memorial Hospital Osceola - Osceola
Baptist Memorial Hospital Blytheville - Blytheville
Baptist Memorial Hospital Forrest City - Forrest City
Baptist Memorial Hospital Osceola - Osceola
Baxter Regional Medical Center - Mountain Home
Booneville Community Hospital - Booneville
Bradley County Medical Center - Warren
BridgeWay Hospital, The - North Little Rock
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Carroll Regional Medical Center - Berryville
Central Arkansas Hospital - Searcy
Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System - Little Rock & North Little Rock
Eugene J. Towbin Healthcare Center - North Little Rock
John L. McClellan Memorial Veterans Hospital - Little Rock
Chambers Memorial Hospital - Danville, Yell County
Chicot Memorial Hospital - Lake Village, Chicot County
Community Medical Center of Izard County - Calico Rock, Izard County
Conway Regional Health System - Conway
Crawford Memorial Hospital - Van Buren
Crittenden Memorial - West Memphis
CrossRidge Community Hospital - Wynne, Cross County
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Dallas County Medical Center - Fordyce, Dallas County
Dardanelle Hospital - Dardanelle
De Queen Regional Medical Center - De Queen
Delta Memorial Hospital - Dumas, Desha County
DeWitt Hospital - DeWitt County
Drew Memorial Hospital - Monticello
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Eastern Ozark Regional Health System - Cherokee Village
Eugene J. Towbin Healthcare Center - North Little Rock
Eureka Springs Hospital - Eureka Springs
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Fayetteville VA Medical Center - Fayetteville
Fulton County Hospital - Salem, Fulton County
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Gravette Medical Center Hospital - Gravette, Benton County
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Harbor View Mercy Hospital - Fort Smith, Sebastian County
Harris Hospital - Newport
Health Management Associates (HMA)
Southwest Regional Medical Center - Little Rock
Summit Medical Center - Van Buren
HealthPark Hospital - Hot Springs
HealthSouth Rehab Hospital - Fayetteville
HealthSouth Rehab Hospital - Jonesboro
HealthSouth Rehab Hospital - Fort Smith
Helena Regional Medical Center - Helena, Phillips County
Hot Spring County Medical Center - Malvern
Howard Memorial Hospital - Nashville
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Jefferson Regional Medical Center - Pine Bluff
John L. McClellan Memorial Veterans Hospital - Little Rock
Johnson Regional Medical Center - Clarksville
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Lawrence Health Services - Walnut Ridge, Lawrence County
Lawrence Memorial Hospital - Walnut Ridge, Lawrence County
Levi Hospital - Hot Springs
Little River Memorial Hospital - Ashdown
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Magnolia Hospital - Magnolia
Mcgehee-Desha County Hospital - McGehee
Medical Center of Calico Rock - Calico Rock
Medical Center of South Arkansas - El Dorado
Medical Park Hospital - Hope
Mena Medical Center - Mena
Mercy Health Center - Bentonville
Mercy Health System of Northwest Arkansas - Rogers
Mercy Health Center - Bentonville
Saint Mary's Hospital - Rogers
Mercy Hospital of Scott County - Waldron, Scott County
Mercy Hospital-Turner Memorial - Ozark
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National Park Medical Center - Hot Springs
NEA Medical Center - Jonesboro
Newport Hospital and Clinic - Newport
North Logan Mercy Hospital - Paris
North Arkansas Regional Medical Center - Harrison
Northwest Health System - Arkansas
Northwest Medical Center of Benton County - Bentonville
Northwest Medical Center of Washington County - Springdale
Willow Creek Women's Hospital - Johnson, Washington County
Northwest Medical Center of Benton County - Bentonville
Northwest Medical Center of Washington County - Springdale
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Ouachita County Medical Center - Camden
Ozark Health Medical Center - Clinton
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Piggott Community Hospital - Piggott
Pike County Memorial Hospital - Murfreesboro, Pike County
Pinnacle Point Hospital - Little Rock
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R
Randolph County Medical Center - Pocahontas
Rebsamen Medical Center - Jacksonville
Regional Medical Center of NEA - Jonesboro
Rivendell Behavioral Health - Benton
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Saint Anthony's Healthcare Center - Morrilton
Saint Bernards Behavioral Health - Jonesboro
Saint Bernards Health Care - Jonesboro
Saint Bernards Behavioral Health - Jonesboro
Saint Bernards Medical Center - Jonesboro
Saint Bernards Medical Center - Jonesboro
Saint Edward Mercy Health Network - Fort Smith, Sebastian County
Saint Edward Mercy Medical Center - Fort Smith, Sebastian County
Saint Edward Mercy Medical Center - Fort Smith, Sebastian County
Saint John's Hospital - Berryville
Saint Joseph's Mercy Health Center - Hot Springs
Saint Mary's Hospital - Rogers
Saint Mary's Regional Medical Center - Russellville
Saint Vincent Doctor's Hospital - Little Rock
Saint Vincent Health System - Little Rock
Saint Anthony's Healthcare Center - Morrilton
Saint Vincent Doctor's Hospital - Little Rock
Saint Vincent Infirmary Medical Center - Little Rock
Saint Vincent Medical Center - Sherwood
Saint Vincent Rehabilitation Hospital - Sherwood
Saint Vincent Infirmary Medical Center - Little Rock
Saint Vincent Medical Center - Sherwood
Saint Vincent Rehabilitation Hospital - Sherwood
Saline Memorial Hospital - Benton, Saline County
Select Specialty Hospital - Little Rock
SemperCare
Baptist Health Medical Center-Little Rock - Little Rock
Jefferson Regional Medical Center - Pine Bluff
Siloam Springs Memorial Hospital - Siloam Springs
Southwest Regional Medical Center - Little Rock
Sparks Regional Medical Center - Fort Smith, Sebastian County
Stone County Medical Center - Mountain View
Stuttgart Regional Medical Center - Stuttgart
Summit Medical Center - Van Buren
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Timber Ridge Ranch NeuroRestorative Services - North Little Rock
Triad Hospitals
Central Arkansas Hospital - Searcy
Medical Center of South Arkansas - El Dorado
Medical Park Hospital - Hope
National Park Medical Center - Hot Springs
NEA Medical Center - Jonesboro
Northwest Health System - Arkansas
Northwest Medical Center of Benton County - Bentonville
Northwest Medical Center of Washington County - Springdale
Willow Creek Women's Hospital - Johnson, Washington County
Northwest Medical Center of Benton County - Bentonville
Northwest Medical Center of Washington County - Springdale
Saint Mary's Regional Medical Center - Russellville
Willow Creek Women's Hospital - Johnson, Washington County
U
UAMS Medical Center - Little Rock
Universal Health Services
BridgeWay Hospital, The - North Little Rock
Rivendell Behavioral Health - Benton
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Vista Health Services - Fayetteville
Vista Health Services - Fort Smith, Sebastian County
W
Washington Regional Medical Center - Fayetteville
White County Medical Center - Searcy
White River Health System - Batesville
Stone County Medical Center - Mountain View
White River Medical Center - Batesville
White River Medical Center - Batesville
Willow Creek Women's Hospital - Johnson, Washington County
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