LPN Programs in Arkansas

LPN Programs in Arkansas

By EveryNurse Staff on January 12, 2023

LPN Programs in Arkansas
Aspiring licensed practical nurses must enter an approved LPN program in Arkansas in order to earn a Certificate of Practical Nursing to work in the state. It is necessary for all healthcare workers to gain the proper amount of training before entering the workforce. In addition to receiving supervised clinical experience, students also take classes that touch upon subjects, such as biology, pharmacology, and anatomy. Upon graduation, the latest crop of LPNs is prepared to assume roles in physician’s offices, nursing homes, hospitals, and home health care agencies.

Schools With LPN Programs in Arkansas

  • Upon successfully completing the LPN program at Arkansas Northeastern College, graduates earn a Technical Certificate in Practical Nursing, and are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-PN exam. It typically takes 10 ½ months for a student to complete ANC’s program, which prepares graduates to deliver quality client care in a variety of clinical settings, including hospitals and other local health care facilities. Coursework introduces students to the nursing process, nutrition, pharmacology, legal and ethical issues, current nursing trends, and also helps boost patient communication skills. Offered at both the ANC Main and Paragould Campuses, the school’s curriculum is approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing.
  • Arkansas State University offers a one-year Practical Nursing program for future LPNs that blends clinical experience and classroom instruction with courses such as Basic Nursing Principles and Skills; Nursing of the Geriatric Patient; and Mental Health. Classroom instruction takes place Monday through Friday with students attending classes at ASUN Jonesboro Campus and/or Marked Tree Campus. Clinical rotations are completed at different sites. There is one fall nursing class starting in August at the Jonesboro Campus, and two in the spring starting in January – one at the Jonesboro Campus and one at the Marked Tree Campus. Graduates of the program receive a Technical Certificate, and can take the National Council of Licensure Examination (NCLEX) administered by the ASBN to gain licensure.
  • To earn a Technical Certificate in Practical Nursing from Cossatot Community College, a student can choose between two different educational paths offered by the school. The first is a day program that takes eleven months to compete – starting in August and ending in June. The second choice is an 18-month evening program that begins in January, and finishes off in June of the following year.
  • North Arkansas College (also known as Northark) offers a Practical Nursing program that routinely boasts a 100% pass rate on the NCLEX-PN. The College provides two classes per year for interested parties – one in January and the other in August. In order to be considered for the LPN program at Northark, the deadline to submit an application to the school is April 15 for the August class, and October 15 for the January class. Eligible applicants must have already been accepted as a student to North Arkansas College. A student must complete 42 credit hours within the 11-month program before gaining their Certificate in Practical Nursing from the school.
  • Blending clinical experience with classroom instruction, the LPN program at Rich Mountain Community College lasts for eleven months. In order to earn a Technical Certificate, students must receive a minimum grade of C in each Practical Nursing course. Upon graduation, students are prepared to take the NCLEX-PN to gain licensure. The Practical Nursing Program at Rich Mountain has full approval of the Arkansas State Board of Nursing.
  • The LPN program at Northwest Technical Institute has a maximum enrollment limit of 50 students, and offers a curriculum that prepares graduates to effectively utilize the nursing process regarding the care of patients. The length of the program (including pre-requisites such as Spanish for Healthcare Personnel and Medical Terminology) is three semesters with one Summer term, and involves the completion of 82 credit hours. The nursing core courses that a student will encounter include various levels of Nursing Theory and Nursing Practicum.
  • Southeast Arkansas College, located in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, offers an interdisciplinary practical nursing program that caters to a wide range of students. The College’s program focuses on promoting upward mobility within the nursing field. The Practical Nursing program teaches students how to administer direct and primary nursing as LPNs while under supervision. The PN program is approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing. Applicants must take an admission test in order to apply to the program.
  • In Hot Springs, Arkansas, the Nursing Division at National Park Community College provides both a certificate and an associate degree program for those looking to build a career in healthcare. To earn a Technical Certificate in Practical Nursing, students can apply to the 12-month program, which prepares graduates to apply for licensure after passing the National Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses.

Arkansas LPN Checklist

  • Apply to a state-approved educational program at a community or trade school, which typically takes one year to complete.
  • Following the receipt of an LPN certificate, pass National Council Licensure Examination-Practical Nurse (NCLEX-PN) exam in Arkansas.
  • Gain licensure as an LPN by submitting an application to the Arkansas Board of Nursing, and paying the initial ~$100 fee.
  • Renew LPN license every two years.
  • Fulfill continuing education requirements for the state of Arkansas before renewing license: complete 15 practice-focused continuing education contact hours or hold a current, nationally recognized certification. LPNs may also complete a minimum of one college credit course in nursing with a grade of C or better during his or her licensure period.

Degree Guides

Arkansas Salary & Job Outlook

For licensed practical nurses finding employment in Arkansas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates an employee’s median salary for this position is $35,300. With experience and more education, LPNs can easily transition into higher-paying jobs. The BLS also identifies Arkansas as being one of the top five states in the U.S. for offering the highest concentration of jobs and location quotients for LPNs.

Additional Arkansas Program Rankings

Related Articles