Schools With Bsn Programs In Arkansas
- Henderson State University is home to a BSN program that allows students to benefit from small class sizes and close interaction with professors and other nurses. Some of the courses that a student may encounter in the CCNE accredited program include Adult Health, Community Based Nursing, Health Promotion and Wellness, and Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing.
- Students pursuing the traditional BSN degree option at Arkansas State University typically have no prior nursing experience, while LPNs and RNs with valid licenses may earn a BSN through an option of their own after successfully completing an accredited associate program or diploma program. By the application deadline on June 15, students must complete at least 30 semester hours with a cumulative GPA of 2.8 or above. The School of Nursing at the University also provides distance learning courses for nurses at three campuses and onsite at ASU-Mountain Home, ASU-Beebe, and Mid-South Community College-West Memphis.
- Classes for the BSN program at Harding University are delivered through the Carr College of Nursing, which is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission and approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing . The school embraces a mission to develop nurses as Christian servants through its class and clinical instruction. Students in the undergraduate program will benefit from ample mentorship opportunities and close teacher-student interaction.
University Of Arkansas For Medical Sciences
UAMSs College of Nursing has plenty to boast about! It has tons of options for the DNP, including a CRNA track. It achieves outstanding NCLEX pass rates and superb NP certification pass rates. It receives plenty of praise on independent review sitesalumni like the real-world training, the interactive programs, and the facultys willingness to help. It runs an interprofessional, student-led free clinic and the Hartford Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence. The list goes on and on.
While youre exploring UAMSs DNP, be sure to visit the Colleges section on Research. Nursing faculty are involved in all kinds of interesting projects and community partnerships. Keep in mind, too, that UAMS is the only academic health sciences university and adult Level One Trauma Center in the state of Arkansas. Plus it has many partner sites throughout the state.
Arizona Nurse Practitioner Scholarships And Funding
Financial aid and tuition expenses are often primary factors in school choice. You may be especially cautious of expensive schools if you are already carrying student debt from your first nursing degree. However, programs that offer financial aid to students in the form of scholarships, grants, and loan repayment may reduce your expenses.
A handful of Nurse Practitioner scholarship programs in Arkansas can be found below:
- Arkansas Nurses Association: This statewide organization awards scholarships to nurses at all level of studies, with several scholarships awarded exclusively to graduate students. This includes the Dorothea Fund Scholarship and the Mary Gray Scholarship.
- BestNursingDegree.com scholarships: By applying for our scholarship program, you may qualify for one of our $2500 nursing scholarships.
- NURSE Corps Scholarship Program: This federal program exchanges sizable scholarships for two years of service in a Health Professional Shortage Area.
- NHSC Loan Repayment Program: This program, similar to the NURSE Corps Scholarship Program, expects students to commit to a two-year service period. On top of your regular compensation, you may have up to $50,000 of student loans forgiven.
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Salaries And Job Outlook For Msn Degree Holders In Arkansas
Within Arkansas, the variation between the salaries for RNs with an MSN is very large. This is due to a range of different factors, including population, employer and market competitiveness. Nevertheless, the job outlook and salaries are good throughout the state.
Only 1% of all the RNs in the country work in Arkansas, which equates to around 23,730 nurses. The average annual salary, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, was $56,500 per year, or $27.16 per hour, in 2010. This is well below the national average, but it is important to note that the cost of living in Arkansas is much lower than the national average as well.
The top 10% of RNs in Arkansas earn $74,600 or more while the bottom 10% earn less than $37,910. Generally, this is linked to their experience and, as the most important factor, their education. Indeed, the top 10% all hold at least an MSN degree, whereas the bottom 10% tend to hold an associate’s degree.
In terms of where the highest salaries are paid, Hot Springs is the best place to work in. The median annual wage is $72,360, which is higher than the national average. However, it should also be observed that the cost of living is slightly higher in Hot Springs than elsewhere in the state although it is still far below the national average. It is a fantastic place to work as a nurse, but competition is fierce and only very few positions are available.
Nurse Practitioner Programs In Arkansas
Nurse practitioners do a lot for Arkansas health, and they could do even more: if there were more of them, if they had the scope of practice recommended. Arkansas nurse practitioners do many of the things a general practice doctor does though they do not have the same level of independence.
The University of Central Arkansas notes that primary care nurse practitioners are prepared to manage chronic and episodic illness as well as promote health. Harding University notes that a family nurse practitioner program can prepare nurses to deliver primary care at community health clinics, VA clinics, family practice clinics, school clinics, and health departments, among other settings.
Some specializations qualify a nurse for primary care for a slightly narrower and more specialized population. Still others prepare practitioners for advanced nursing roles in acute care settings. State code notes the following as acceptable population foci: families/individuals across the lifespan, womens health/gender-related, adult-gerontology, pediatrics, neonatal, or psychiatric/mental health.
Arkansas, moreover, does not formally recognize nurse practitioners as primary care providers. The nurse practice act does state that nurse practitioners can enter into direct reimbursement agreements for services covered under Medicaid.
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Nurse Practitioner Education Programs In Arkansas
Becoming an advanced nurse practitioner in Arkansas requires completion of an educational program in a specific specialization of advanced nursing and certification in this category and specialization by a nationally recognized certifying agency that is recognized by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing. Certification agencies for nurse practitioners recognized by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing include the American Nurses Credentialing Center, the National Certification Corporation, the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board.
The Board of Nursing accepts advanced nursing educational programs in the nurse practitioner specialization offered by accredited nursing schools throughout the country. Online nurse practitioner programs offer a unique opportunity for registered nurses to complete their education while maintaining a work, life and education balance. Programs are usually offered in a flexible format that can be completed at an accelerated pace or at a pace that fits a registered nurses schedule. Some nursing schools in Arkansas offer students an online option as well as an on-campus option. Research nurse practitioner programs offered in Arkansas below.
- Online Bachelors, Masters, and Doctoral Nursing Programs and Certificates
Paying For The University Of Arkansas At Fayetteville Online Bsn To Dnp Program
The online BSN to DNP program costs $573.99 per credit plus fees for both in-state and out-of-state students. Travel expenses for the orientation and any further campus visits are not included. Prospective DNP students should contact the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing for more details.
Graduate students may be eligible for unsubsidized federal loans according to the FAFSA. DNP students in the FNP track may also be eligible for the Advanced Nursing Education Workforce grant through the Federal Health Resources and Services Administration. In addition, grants and scholarships may be available through the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. Outside funding options may also exist such as tuition reimbursement programs through employers, and organizational or community grants and scholarships.
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Top 10 Best Nursing Schools In Arkansas
To become licensed to work as a nurse in Arkansas, nursing students must pass the NCLEX-RN to become registered nurses .
But earning your nursing license as an RN doesn’t guarantee you a nursing position, and many entry-level nurses have a higher average salary all because they complete a bachelor’s of science in nursing .
While not required, a BSN is the best way to maximize your chances of finding a high-paying position right out of college. If your goal is to work as a nurse in Arkansas, then earning a BSN at one of the best Arkansas schools puts you in a great position to find a nursing job.
This is a panel-reviewed selection based on a number of factors including,
Nurse Panel
Our selection panel includes 4 Registered Nurses with over 55 years of combined nursing experience and 7 nursing degrees.
- Tracy Everhart, MSN, RN, CNS
- Tyler Faust, MSN, RN
- Kathleen Gaines, BSN, RN, BA, CBC
- Leah Helmbrecht, BSN, RN
Because nursing careers take different forms, the top 10 Arkansas nursing schools are ranked in no particular order.
Annual In-State Tuition: $8,902 | Annual Out-of-State Tuition: $10,612 | NCLEX Pass Rate: 92.6%
Traditional: Yes
Accelerated: No
Bridge: Yes
Annual In-State Tuition: $9,188 | Annual Out-of-State Tuition: $15,998 | NCLEX Pass Rate: 94.2%
Traditional: Yes
Accelerated: No
Bridge: Yes
Annual In-State Tuition: $9,384 | Annual Out-of-State Tuition: $25,872 | NCLEX Pass Rate: 93.8%
Admission To Upper Division
Minimum Admission Requirements – Admission to the upper division nursing courses is competitive and subject to approval by the Nursing Department’s Admission and Progression Committee. Students are considered for admission the spring and fall preceding the semesters they plan to enter upper division nursing courses. All transcripts and/or credentials along with an Application to Upper Division must be submitted to the Department of Nursing by March 1 for fall admission or by October 1 for spring admission. Eligible repeating students applying for readmission must submit all materials by the date that immediately follows the last day of the end of semester final exams.
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BSN PRE-LICENSURE PROGRAM
The curriculum is focused on field-necessary coursework and hands-on experiences to ensure professionalism in practice upon completion of licensure.
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LPN TO BSN PROGRAM
The curriculum is focused on field-necessary coursework and hands-on experiences to ensure professionalism in practice upon completion of licensure.
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RN TO BSN ONLINE PROGRAM
Complete your BSN anytime, anywhere through our online RN to BSN program at Arkansas Tech University.
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN NURSING ADMINISTRATION
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Rn To Bsn Programs In Little Rock Ar
Working professionals who want to return to school need educational options that mesh well with their schedules. Moreover, they need rigorous, no-frills programs that make the most of their learning investment. For these reasons and more, working registered nurses find bridge RN to BSN programs in Little Rock, AR to be most compatible with their schedules and motivations to return to school.
Nurse Practitioner Careers In Arkansas
Furthering your education may increase your income potential, particularly as you build a patient base and gain experience in primary or acute care. Currently, nurse practitioners in Arkansas earn an average of $93,870 per year Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2016).
The job outlook in the state is positive, due to the growing demands of the healthcare industry and the national need for primary care providers. According to O*Net, demand for nurse practitioners may increase 31% in Arkansas through 2022 .
A nurse practitioner license may allow you to work in many different areas of healthcare. If you plan on taking advantage of a state or federal loan repayment program, you may be limited to approved clinics and hospitals in specific geographic areas. You can look into options at private clinics, urgent care centers, large healthcare organizations, and specialty clinics.
Everyone deserves to have local, prompt access to healthcare. Nurse practitioners can do a lot to alleviate the healthcare practitioner shortage and offer evidence-based care to patients.
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How To Get A Registered Nurse License In Arkansas
RNs work in close collaboration with physicians and a multidisciplinary team of professionals to provide the highest quality care to patients with a range of illnesses. RNs juggle many responsibilities, from performing ongoing patient health assessments and administering medications, to providing psychological and emotional support to patients and family members.
Being licensed by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing is a requirement to practice as an RN in the state. The process of getting an Arkansas RN license starts with graduating from an accredited school of nursing with an Associate Degree in Nursing or Bachelor of Science in Nursing . Passing the National Council Licensure Exam is the next step. Licensure examinations are given at Pearson Professional Centers at various locations throughout the area. According to the ASBN, applicants must complete the application process for both ASBN and Pearson VUE to take the NCLEX. A criminal background check is also required prior to taking the examination. FAQs and important information regarding the examination process can be found on the BoardÄôs website.
RN licenses must be renewed every two years. Completing at least 15 hours of appropriately accredited practice-focused continuing education is required for license renewal.
Bsn To Dnp Programs In Arkansas
Youll find the most choice for BSN to DNP programs at UAMS. As we mentioned in our rankings, UAMS has tons of NP tracks and an option for Nurse Anesthesia. Whats more, individuals who are already licensed and certified as an APRN may apply to a post-BSN-to-DNP track for a second NP area of certification.
- FNP: Interested in family nursing? You can compare UAMS with U of A and UCA. Both offer BSN to DNP tracks in the FNP.
- Acute Care: Thinking about acute care? Feel free to match UAMSs AGACNP track against U of As offering.
- Nurse Anesthesia: Arkansas has two COA-accredited schools: UAMS and A-State. As of 2020, A-State was in the process of transitioning from an MSN into a DNP program.
Just be sure to ask the DNP program coordinator about state-by-state availability. Some schools cant offer their online program to certain U.S. residents.
Note: You can go beyond Arkansas with our directory of on-campus and online BSN to DNP programs.
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University Of Central Arkansas
Youll find UCAs DNP program in the School of Nursing and College of Health and Behavioral Sciences. Its second in our list thanks to consistent performance results, super-affordable tuition, and infrastructure investment. The School will be housed in the Integrated Health Sciences Building , an 80,000-square-foot facility with new clinical and simulation facilities.
FNP certification exam pass rates are not posted on the Schools site, but you can always ask for themUCA Nursings Faculty section has contact details for potential instructors and advisors. The School also has a tight-knit Students Association and an active Facebook page.
Licensing Requirements For The Recognized Aprn Roles In Arkansas
Arkansas RNs in good standing can become licensed as advanced practice registered nurses by earning a Master of Science in Nursing and national certification, both specific to their chosen role and patient population focus.
The Arkansas State Board of Nursing recognizes and licenses APRNs in four distinct roles:
- Certified Nurse Practitioner
- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
- Certified Nurse Midwife
While CNMs and CRNAs do not need to select a population focus, CNPs and CNSs would further specialize through education and certification in one of these patient population groups:
- Adult-Gerontology
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
Certified Nurse-Midwife
- Certified in Nurse-Midwifery
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Key Hard Skills For Nurse Practitioners
- Basic Emergency and Urgent Care Skills: A solid grasp of basic emergency and urgent care skills allows NPs to quickly assess and address medical issues. Examples include dressing wounds, providing IV therapy, assessing the respiratory system, and chest tube management.
- Vital Sign Monitoring and Checking: Knowing how to monitor and check vital signs, including pulse rate, body temperature, blood pressure, and respiration rate helps NPs find and monitor medical problems.
- Patient Education: Skilled NPs provide health education and counseling to patients and their families. This can help them understand diagnoses and treatments, make lifestyle changes to improve health conditions and learn how to provide at-home care.
- Technology Skills: As technologys role in the medical system grows, nurse practitioners use tech to help diagnose, monitor, and treat patients. They also need technical skills to complete medical forms accurately.
What About A Career In Nursing Education
A multidegree option will equip the D.N.P. graduate for the role of the professional nurse educator. Students will earn both the M.S.N. and the D.N.P.. Admission to both the M.S.N. and D.N.P. programs is required. The additional course requirements beyond the D.N.P. program are four courses in the nursing education concentration and an education-focused scholarly project.
For questions and additional information please email or phone .
Eleanor Mann School of Nursing
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Online Nursing Programs In Arkansas
Students in Arkansas seeking work in nursing must be licensed by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing and meet state-mandated requirements to practice nursing. Arkansas is a compact state, meaning a nursing license from this state enables someone to work as a nurse in the other compact nursing states. Arkansas requires license renewal every two years. The University of Arkansas offers the longest standing CCNE-accredited BSN program in the state.
Becoming A Nurse In Arkansas
Nursing is a unique field that puts students on the path to a rewarding career working in hospitals, schools, outpatient care facilities, clinics, physiciansÄô offices and more. Accredited nursing programs in Arkansas prepare students with the tools they need to play a vital role in the healthcare industry. There are more than 51,089 nurses licensed by the Arkansas State Nursing Board. While the number of licensed nurses continues to grow, the demand for nurses is always great. Those considering a career in nursing can expect to earn an average annual salary of $58,810 as an RN, $95,230 as a nurse practitioner and $38,180 as an LPN. Learn about the requirements for becoming a CNA, LPN, RN, or in Arkansas below.
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