Best RN Programs in Arkansas for 2024

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.

North Arkansas College is located in Harrison, Arkansas. They offer both an LPN to RN program and an RN program.  Their LPN to RN program is offered yearly, beginning in January. In addition to meeting the prerequisite requirements that all RN students must meet, the LPN to RN program requires its students to have practiced as an LPN for at least 3 months or 120 hours, and have this verified by their employer.

Various health organizations have consistently ranked the nursing program at North Arkansas College as one of the best in both the state and the nation. The college prides itself in providing a great academic experience to the students at an affordable price. 

The highly competitive and demanding nursing degree at North Arkansas College takes two years (four semesters) to complete, and students are required to attend the classes full-time because of the challenging nature of the course. However, the college does offer substantial financial aid to students who feel that their financial condition can act as a barrier to education. 

What's more, is that most of the graduates are able to seamlessly transfer their credits to a four-year college so that they can earn their bachelor's or master's degree or more on top of the associate degree from North Arkansas College. The college is known for its innovative assignments, teaching styles, and courses, in addition to the small classroom sizes where each student receives the personal attention that they need.

Undergraduate Programs: The Associate Nursing Degree (ADN) at North Arkansas College helps students excel in quality patient care, nursing judgment, leadership, and spirit of inquiry. This rigorous course prepares students for a successful career as Registered Nurses.