BSN Programs in Arkansas
By EveryNurse Staff on July 26, 2018
Since the demand for nurses across the nation continues to increase, earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree is becoming an increasingly attractive education-related move to follow. Nurses who possess a BSN not only stand to make more money, but they also assume a higher level of job responsibility and enjoy a greater range of employment opportunities. One of the ways to begin or enhance a lucrative career within the healthcare industry is to enter a BSN program in Arkansas.
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.
- The College of Education and Health Professions at the University of Arkansas offers both a BSN Generic Program and an RN-to-BSN program at the school, which includes courses such as Intro to Professional Nursing Concepts, Critical Care Nursing Concepts, and Management in Nursing. The RN-to-BSN curriculum is offered online, and allows registered nurses with an associate’s degree or nursing diploma to train for advanced positions within the industry. No campus visits are required, and the program offers 3- to 5-semester plans that take one year to complete. However, students must finish one clinical immersion course in his or her geographic region.
- 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 (NLNAC) and approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing (ASBN). 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.
- The University of Central Arkansas offers a variety of BSN programs, including several different approaches for the generic/traditional undergraduate curriculum. Students may choose from a 4-year, 5-year, or a post-baccalaureate or second-degree plan. This specific track is designed for students that do not have a nursing license. Pre-nursing majors (including those with an associate or bachelor’s degree in a different field) must complete prerequisite courses before being admitted into the 3-year nursing program. The school also has an online RN-to-BSN program. In 2010, the school boasted a 90 percent pass rate of the NCLEX-RN examination.
- Students in the BSN program at Arkansas Tech University will complete eight semesters of general education, course prerequisites, and upper-division professional nursing courses. In addition to the on-campus program, the University has an RN to BSN offered online. The BSN programs at the university are approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing and the Arkansas Department of Higher Education and are also accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC).
Arkansas BSN Checklist
- Apply to a university or college with a nursing program that is accredited by the CCNE or NLNAC. Select the appropriate pathway. For example, working nurses often choose an RN-to-BSN program.
- Upon graduation, pass the state of Arkansas’ National Council Licensure Examination-Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN) exam.
- Gain licensure as a registered nurse in Arkansas; submit an application to the Arkansas Board of Nursing, and pay the ~$100 fee.
- When applicable, renew RN license every two years, and pay ~$60 fee.
- Satisfy renewal requirements for the state of Arkansas, which may include the completion of 15 practice-focused continuing education contact hours.
