2022 - Best Nursing Schools in Arkansas

Harding University is located in Searcy, Arkansas.  Carr College of Nursing was founded in 1975; their graduates are now working throughout the world.  Carr College of Nursing produces nurses who are not only prepared for entry-level nursing positions, but are also Christian servants.  Their students have the opportunity to join a Health Care Missions Program, with local and international experiences.

At CARR College of Nursing of Harding University, students study in a supportive environment that challenges professional and advanced practise nursing students to their full potential. The university provides quality education that is consistent with Christian ideals. Their nursing program has been consistently ranking as one of the state's best for multiple years.

Students at CARR College of Nursing benefit from close teacher-student relationships and mentoring, a variety of clinical experiences, and multiple options for financial aid and scholarships. Harding University awards approximately $60 million annually for financial aid, with approximately 96% of the undergraduates receiving the aid. The college also allows students to participate in a Health Missions Program with both national and international experiences. 

Harding University's nursing curriculum helps students excel in the art of nursing process, critical thinking, research, communication, leadership, teaching/learning, Christian Principles, and global perspective. To do so, the University has a well-developed curriculum, expert faculty, and high-end laboratories, and simulation labs.

Undergraduate Programs: The school has a four-year, full-time BSN program and an accelerated year-round second-degree program for the same. Along with the two BSN tracks, there is an individualized track for students who currently hold an RN or LPN degree; this track helps them get their BSN degree by enrolling either full-time or part-time.

Graduate Programs: The MSN-Family Nurse Practitioner track allows students to become advanced practice registered nurses who can work as primary care providers in various settings. Students can enroll to this degree from any bachelor's degree, Early Entry through the undergraduate track, and accelerated BS in health studies. The course is available in a hybrid format which includes both online and in-person classes.

Even with more than 80 degrees and programs and more than 4,000 students studying on the campus, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus still maintains a 17 to 1 student-teacher ratio. The Nursing department mimics a small-town atmosphere so that students feel at home and know that they are supported by both their peers and teachers every step of the way.

The nursing department at the university is always acquiring new equipment and learning resources to provide students with the hands-on training they need while providing care to all kinds of patients. Southern Arkansas University teaches students the concept of holistic health so that they treat the patient as a whole and not just the diseases. With stellar reviews from alumni and their success, it is not surprising how the university's NCLEX-pass rate is one of the highest in the entire state. 

Undergraduate Programs: Southern Arkansas University offers a competitive BSN program that teaches the students the knowledge of the basic physical, biological, behavioral, and medical sciences, as well as the ability to apply this knowledge in caring for patients across all types of healthcare facilities. Students can apply for this program in the Spring or Fall semester.

The College of Nursing and Health Professions in Arkansas State University is dedicated to providing quality education to students, graduates, and healthcare providers in a variety of health disciplines, including nursing. The college has collaborated with the community and other organizations to ensure that the students excel in education, research and service.

The college provides the students with the option to enroll in day, night, or weekend classes so that their schedule doesn't come in the way of education. The university is diverse and has small class sizes that allow for individualized instruction and mentoring. Ranking as one of the state's best nursing colleges, the College of Nursing and Health Professionals provides a wide range of program pathways so that every student, hailing from all kinds of backgrounds, can find something to advance their career as a nurse and quality healthcare provider.

Undergraduate Programs: The undergraduate nursing programs at Arkansas State University include the Associate of Applied Science in Nursing, which prepares graduates to provide and manage direct care to individuals seeking healthcare. The AASN degree is offered via three pathways that are the traditional AASN that prepares students to become RNs, the LPN-AASN, and LPN-AASN online degree that allows students to maintain a full-time job while simultaneously preparing to become RNs.

In addition, the college also has a BSN program that is offered as a traditional BSN for students with no prior nursing experience, a 2nd Bachelor's Degree Accelerated pathway for those who already have a bachelor's degree, and an RN to BSN option for those RN who are seeking their bachelor's degree.

Graduate Programs: Arkansas State University has an MSN program to provide nurses with the complex practice skills and theoretical knowledge necessary to become advanced practitioners and leaders. There are multiple concentrations available, including FNP, Nurse Administrator, Nurse Educator, and so on.

An online DNP program is also available for nurses seeking a terminal degree in Nurse Anesthesia practice.

University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR) s located in Little Rock, Arkansas.  They offer multiple types of RN programs - an RN program, a BSN program, an online RN to BSN program, and an LPN or paramedic to to RN program.  The Department of Nursing is the largest department at UALR - at any given time, there are 600 students, twenty full-time faculty and six staff members.

The nursing program at Ellis College of Arts and Sciences in Henderson State University is dedicated to providing students with the education and experience needed to pursue a career in nursing. The college provides professional nursing education in a caring environment that allows students to develop as compassionate careers and leaders.

Henderson State University allows students to learn and develop in a learning environment that prepares them for a lifetime of intellectual and personal growth in a global society. With students enrolled in more than 65 undergraduate and graduate programs, the university encourages students to engage in scholarly and creative activities in a caring and personal atmosphere. 

The university offers affordable tuition with payment plans in addition to various scholarship programs to ensure that no student turns away from quality education because of their financial situation.

Undergraduate Programs: At Henderson State University, students can enroll in either BSN or LPN to BSN degrees on the Arkadelphia campus. There is also an RN to BSN program with flexible online classes and in-person practicum projects to facilitate ease of attendance to working RNs. Students can also enroll in dual degrees with National Park College or their BSN degree.

Graduate Programs: The online Masters of Science in Nursing program allows students who have passed their BSN and are working as RNs to work as primary care providers in various settings. The fully online classes allow students to obtain their education while maintaining full-time employment. Students can enroll in the Family Nurse Practitioner track or get an MSN degree in Nurse Administrator. They are also provided with the opportunity to obtain a Nursing Education certificate which allows them to work as nurse educators in a hospital-based or academic-based setting.

University of Central Arkansas is located in Conway, Arkansas.  Their BSN program was founded in 1967 in response to the closure of a neighboring school's BSN program.

The School of Nursing at the University of Central Arkansas boasts small class sizes, the variety of facilities available and the number of scholarships it provides the students who need them. The School of Nursing educates its students in such a way that they are fully equipped to deliver quality healthcare and contribute to the advancement of the nursing profession.

To ensure that the students attain the required skills and knowledge, the University has well-equipped high-fidelity simulation labs with state-of-the-art manikins and equipment that mimic hospital settings. The students also get to be a part of real-time patient care as a part of their clinical rotations. The University of Central Arkansas is committed to excellence in nursing education, thereby making student success their primary goal.

Undergraduate Programs: The BSN degree and RN to BSN degree at the University of Central Arkansas prepare students to become RNs upon completion of the program. 

Graduate Programs: For nurses who want to advance their careers as primary care providers or nurse educators or researchers, the School of Nursing offers an MSN degree as well as a Post-Master's Certificate/Second Master of Science in Nursing degree.

Finally, for nurses seeking the highest level of nursing education, the DNP program offers two tracks: Post-BSN to DNP FNP track and Post-MSN to DNP track. The DNP program is a practice-focused degree that prepares clinicians to perform as primary care providers and policymakers.

Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas provides high-quality, accessible and affordable educational opportunities and skill development to students. The nursing program at the college prepares students to work as professional nurses providing safe, quality, evidence-based nursing care in the global healthcare scenario. 

By the time that they complete their courses, students are able to conduct a comprehensive and focused physical, behavioral, psychological, and spiritual assessment of health and illness parameters in patients. They are also taught to develop plans of care based on evidence-based practices considering the individual patient's current needs.

Nurses graduating from this college are well-versed in patient-centred care, clinical judgement, quality improvement, collaboration and teamwork, information management, leadership, management, legalities, and ethics. Thus, it is not surprising how the graduates have gone on to work on some of the biggest healthcare facilities in the state and the nation.

Undergraduate Programs: Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas offers an ADN degree which ranks among the best in the state. The program prepares students to sit for a successful career as a Registered Nurse, as well as for their future education.

Arkansas Northeastern College is a two-year college that provides flexible schedules and courses so that students can get a quality education while also attending to their other responsibilities. The college boasts its small and highly interactive classrooms equipped with the latest multimedia internet technology. This college also has one of the lowest tuition rates in the entire state, so you can be sure that affordable, quality education is their main priority.

The nursing program at Arkansas Northeastern College is ranked as one of the state's best. The courses are designed to provide students with all the opportunities they need to acquire the knowledge and skills to pass their NCLEX-RN and become successful RNs who can work in a variety of settings. 

In addition to being diverse, the college also has a strict non-discriminatory policy in regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, and national origin. All the students who seek quality education are welcomed at Arkansas Northeastern College. 

Undergraduate Programs: Arkansas Northeastern College offers a traditional ADN degree for students seeking to become licensed RNs. In addition to that, the college also has an ADN LPN to RN degree for practicing LPNs who want to advance their education and career as RNs.

National Park College is located in Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas.  They offer multiple nursing programs - an LPN program, an RN program, and an LPN to RN program.  Unique to National Park College is the High School to ASN track.  The high school student applies in their senior year of high school and can elect either a two year or three year option; the three year option is often selected if the student suspects that they will eventually continue for a BSN degree.

Northwest Arkansas Community College is located in Bentonville. Their nursing program is ideal for a variety of student types, as some of their classes are available online. In addition, classes are also offered at their other campuses in Springdale or Farmington.

NorthWest Arkansas Community College offers more than 300 scholarships annually and has a student to teacher ratio of 18:1; thus, it is clear to see why this college ranks as some of the state's best in terms of nursing education.

The nursing department at NorthWest Arkansas Community College aims to fulfil the gap in healthcare professionals in Arkansas with competent, highly-skilled, professional Registered Nurses. The college fosters student success through tutoring programs, campus lab activities, and professional student organizations. Being the largest community college in Arkansas, the college provides quality education at an affordable cost. You can also choose to transfer to a four-year university if you are taking a core course at this two-year college. 

In addition to being instructed by highly trained and experienced faculty, the nursing students get to practice their skills in high-fidelity simulation labs and different healthcare settings in the community.

Undergraduate Programs: Both the traditional and accelerated Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing (ADN) are designed to equip students with the basic nursing knowledge that they require to prepare for their NCLEX-RN, as well as to work as RNs.

The college also offers an LPN/Paramedic to RN bridge program designed for working professionals to complete their associate degrees and work as RNs.