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.

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

A  
            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

B  
            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

C  
            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

D  
            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

E  
            Eastern Ozark Regional Health System - Cherokee Village
            Eugene J. Towbin Healthcare Center - North Little Rock
            Eureka Springs Hospital - Eureka Springs

F  
            Fayetteville VA Medical Center - Fayetteville
            Fulton County Hospital - Salem, Fulton County

G  
            Gravette Medical Center Hospital - Gravette, Benton County

H  
            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

I  

J  
            Jefferson Regional Medical Center - Pine Bluff
            John L. McClellan Memorial Veterans Hospital - Little Rock
            Johnson Regional Medical Center - Clarksville

K  

L  
            Lawrence Health Services - Walnut Ridge, Lawrence County
            Lawrence Memorial Hospital - Walnut Ridge, Lawrence County
            Levi Hospital - Hot Springs
            Little River Memorial Hospital - Ashdown

M  
            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

N  
            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

O  
            Ouachita County Medical Center - Camden
            Ozark Health Medical Center - Clinton

P  
            Piggott Community Hospital - Piggott
            Pike County Memorial Hospital - Murfreesboro, Pike County
            Pinnacle Point Hospital - Little Rock

Q  

R  
            Randolph County Medical Center - Pocahontas
            Rebsamen Medical Center - Jacksonville
            Regional Medical Center of NEA - Jonesboro
            Rivendell Behavioral Health - Benton

S  
            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

T  
            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

V  
           

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

X  

Y  

Z