So you’re planning on becoming an RN in Arkansas?
AWESOME!
They certainly need the extra hand.
However, you first need to go through all the steps and requirements to get your RN license.
This is where we come in.
In this article, we’re going to give you a complete guide on how to become an RN in Arkansas. We won’t skip anything, so you know EXACTLY what to do.
Are you ready?
Let’s begin!
How to Become an RN in Arkansas – The 3 Major Steps
You only need to complete 3 major steps to become an RN in Arkansas. These are:
Of course, each major step will have its own steps to complete. Don’t worry – we’ll look into that right now.
Step #1: Complete an Approved Program
As with any nursing career, you need to start with training.
For aspiring RNs in Arkansas, this means enrolling in one of two programs:
- Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
ADN vs. BSN: Which Should You Get?
The ADN program only takes 2 years to complete. And, it also has fewer requirements to apply. Some program providers even only ask for a high school diploma or a GPA/GED with a minimum 2.0 score.
On the other hand, BSN programs take 4 years to complete. Plus, you need a high school diploma (with a high GPA), an SAT exam, and a letter of recommendation.
Not to mention, BSN programs are significantly more expensive than ADN ones.
So why choose BSN, right?
The simple answer is that BSN trains you for medical practice, public health management, performing basic health procedures, and maintaining records. ADN only trains you in performing the basic health procedures and record maintenance.
This means that, with a BSN degree, you will have better and more job opportunities with higher salaries.
So which one should you get?
That will depend on the career path you want as an RN.
Step #2: Apply for an RN License
2 months before you graduate from your program, you should already apply for your RN license.
Here are the steps to accomplish that:
- Go to the Arkansas Nurse Portal:
- Create an account (if you don’t have one)
- Provide proof of Arkansas residency and Social Security Number
- Pay the $100 license fee
- Choose if you want a temporary permit for an additional fee (this will allow you to practice while waiting to take your NCLEX-RN exam)
- Submit your application
- Register with Pearson Vue (the official NCLEX-RN provider in Arkansas):
- Provide all the necessary information
- Pay the exam fee of $200
- Submit an application for a state and federal background check through the Criminal Background Check System.
- Follow the Criminal Background Check Instructions to complete the process.
- Once you finish your program, the program director will submit your Affidavit of Graduation.
Once all of these are approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing, you will receive an Authorization to Test (ATT).
Step #3: Take and Pass the NCLEX-RN Exam
With your ATT, you can now schedule your NCLEX-RN exam with Pearson Vue.
On your scheduled date, do the following:
- Arrive 30 minutes early. Your appointment will be canceled if you are late.
- Provide proof of identity and your biometrics – signature, palm vein scan, photo
- Receive your exam materials – since the exam is conducted on a computer, you will only receive an on-screen calculator and a note board.
- Take the NCLEX-RN exam – you have up to 5 hours to complete everything. You are also allowed to take 2 breaks.
- Finish the NCLEX-RN exam by completing the short survey
- Raise your hand to announce that you are finished
From there, you have to wait at least 6 weeks for your NCLEX-RN results to be sent to you by the Arkansas Board.
If you pass, your RN license will be issued. You can verify this at Nursys.com. You can also print the report since the ASBN doesn’t send paper licenses.
And there you have it — you are now officially an RN in Arkansas!
Frequently Asked Questions About RNs in Arkansas
Let’s go over a few of the most frequently asked questions about RNs in Arkansas.
How long does it take to become an RN in Arkansas?
That depends on the type of educational program you choose. If you’re taking an ADN, it’ll take you around 2 years to complete your studies. On the other hand, if you take the BSN, it’ll take 4 years to complete.
Besides that, it might also take some time to fully approve all your application documents.
How much does it cost to become an RN in Arkansas?
Here is a breakdown of all the expenses to become an RN in Arkansas:
- RN program tuition fee – anywhere from $10,000 to $30,000 (for ADN) and $40,000 to $120,000 (for BSN)
- License application fee – $100
- Pearson Vue registration fee – $200
- Criminal background check fee – $36.25
What is the fastest way to become an RN in Arkansas?
The fastest way to become an RN in Arkansas is to take the ADN program since you only need to study for 2 years. You are also allowed to apply for your RN license within 2 months before you graduate.
How much does an RN make per hour in Arkansas?
On average, RNs in Arkansas earn $30 per hour. That totals around $66,000 a year. If you think that becoming an RN needs too much investment, then just think about how much you can earn afterward.
Helpful Resources for Arkansas RNs
- Arkansas Board of Nursing Website (Official)
- Information for RN Applicants (Official)
- Arkansas RN Continuing Education Requirements (Official)
- Associate Degree Programs (ADNS) Approved by Arkansas BON
- Baccalaureate Degree Programs (BSNs) approved by Arkansas BON
List of Associate Degree Programs (ADNs) in Arkansas
Here’s a list of ADN programs approved by the Arkansas BON:
ARKANSAS NORTHEASTERN COLLEGE-BLYTHEVILLE
Department of Nursing
P. O. Box 1109
Blytheville, AR 72316
Phone: (870) 780-1223; Fax: (870) 762-3376
ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY – BEEBE
P.O. Box 909
Searcy, AR 72145
Phone: (501) 207-6215; Fax: (501) 2076263
AR RURAL NURSING EDUCATION CONSORTIUM (ARNEC)3501 U of A Way
Texarkana, AR 71854
Phone: (870) 368-2076; Fax: (870) 368-2075
BLACK RIVER TECHNICAL COLLEGE (ARNEC)
1410 Hwy 304 East
PO Box 468
Pocahontas, AR 72455 Phone: (870) 248-400 ext. 4174
OZARKA COLLEGE – MELBOURNE (ARNEC)
218 College Dr, Melbourne, AR 72556, United States Phone: (870) 368-2081; Fax: (870) 368-2075
SOUTHARK COMMUNITY COLLEGE (ARNEC)
300 South West Avenue
El Dorado, AR 71730
Phone: 870-862-8131
UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS COSSATOT (ARNEC)
183 College Dr, De Queen, AR 71832, United States Phone: +1 870-584-4471
UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS RICH MOUNTAIN (ARNEC) Abernathy Building, 1100 College Dr, Mena, AR 71953, United StatesPhone: +1 479-394-7622
UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS COMMUNITY COLLEGE – HOPE-TEXARKANA 2500 S Main St, Hope, AR 71801, United States Phone: +1 866-956-8595
ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY
School of Nursing
P. O. Box 910
State University, AR 72467
Phone: (870) 972-3074; Fax: (870) 972-2954
ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY – MOUNTAIN HOME
1600 So. College
Mountain Home, AR 72653
Phone: (870) 508-6154; Fax: (870) 508-6154
ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY – NEWPORT
7648 Victory Blvd.
Newport, AR 72112
Phone: (870) 512-7869; Fax: (870) 512-7715
ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY – THREE RIVERS
#1 College Circle
Malvern, AR 72104
Phone: (501) 332-0303; Fax: (501) 467-3680
ARKANSAS TECH UNIVERSITY – OZARK
1700 Helberg Lane
Ozark, AR 72949
Phone: (479) 508-6351, ext. 6352; Fax: (479) 508-8500, ext.5351
BAPTIST HEALTH COLLEGE LITTLE ROCK
School of Nursing
11900 Colonel Glenn Road
Little Rock, AR 72210
Phone: (501) 202-7937; Fax: (501) 202-6015
BLACK RIVER TECHNICAL COLLEGE – POCAHONTAS (ARNEC)
1410 Hwy. 304 East
P.O. Box 468
Pochahontas, AR 72455
Phone: (870) 248-4000, ext. 4174; Fax: (870) 248-4100
EAST ARKANSAS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Department of Nursing
1700 New Castle Road
Forrest City, AR 72335-9598
Phone: (870) 633-4480 ext 268; Fax: (870) 633-7222
EFFERSON REGIONAL SCHOOL OF NURSING
1600 West 40th Avenue
Pine Bluff, AR 71603
Phone: (870) 541-7164; Fax: (870) 541-7807
NATIONAL PARK COLLEGE
Division of Nursing
101 College Drive
Hot Springs, AR 71913
Phone: (501) 760-4352; Fax: (501) 760-4183
NORTH ARKANSAS COLLEGE
Department of Nursing
1515 Pioneer Dr.
Harrison, AR 72601
Phone: (870) 391-3535; Fax: (870) 391-3354
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS COLLEGE
Department of Nursing
One College Drive
Bentonville, AR 72712
Phone: (479) 619-4256; Fax: (479) 619-4254
PHILLIPS COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS
Department of Nursing
P. O. Box 785
Helena-West Helena, AR 72342
Phone: (870) 338-6474, X1371; Fax: (870) 338-7901
SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS COLLEGE
Nursing and Allied Health Technologies Division
1900 Hazel Street, Pine Bluff, AR 71603
Phone: (870) 850-4917; Fax (870) 850-4917
SOUTHERN ARKANSAS UNIVERSITY TECH
P.O. Box 3499
Camden, AR 71711
Phone: 870-574-4475; Fax: 870-574-4474
UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT LITTLE ROCK
Department of Nursing
2801 South University Little Rock, AR 72204
Phone: (501) 916-5150; Fax: (501) 916-3146
UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT MONTICELLO
Division of Nursing
LPN/LPTN-to-RN Program
P. O. Box 3606
Monticello, AR 71656-3606
Phone: (870) 460-1069; Fax: (870) 460-1969
UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS COMMUNITY COLLEGE AT BATESVILLE
P. O. Box 3350
Batesville, AR 72503
Phone: (870) 612-2063; Fax: (870) 612-2059
UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS COMMUNITY COLLEGE AT MORRILTON
1537 University Blvd.
Morrilton, AR 72110
Phone: (501) 977-2050; Fax (501) 977-2049
Visit the Arkansas BON website for updates.
List of Baccalaureate Degree Programs (BSNs) in Arkansas
Here’s a list of BSN programs approved by the Arkansas BON:
ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY
School of Nursing
P. O. Box 910
State University, AR 72467
Phone: (870) 680-8200; Fax: (870) 972-2954
ARKANSAS TECH UNIVERSITY
Department of Nursing
Dean Hall
Russellville, AR 72801-2222
Phone: (479) 968-0383; Fax: (479) 968-0219
HARDING UNIVERSITY
College of Nursing
Box 12265
Searcy, AR 72149-0001
Phone: (501) 279-4476; Fax: (501) 279-4669
HENDERSON STATE UNIVERSITY
Department of Nursing
HSU Box 7803
Arkadelphia, AR 71999-0001
Phone: (870) 230-5379; Fax: (870) 230-5390
JOHN BROWN UNIVERSITY
2000 West University Street
Siloam Springs, AR 72761
Phone: (479) 524-1662; Fax: (479) 524-7441
OUACHITA BAPTIST UNIVERSITY
Department of Nursing
OBU Box 3700
Arkadelphia, AR 71998
Phone: (870) 245-5384
SOUTHERN ARKANSAS UNIVERSITY
Department of Nursing
100 E.University MSC9402
Magnolia, AR 71753
Phone: (870) 235-4331; Fax: (870) 235-5058
UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS
Eleanor Mann School of Nursing
606 N. Razorback Road Fayetteville, AR 72701
Phone: (479) 575-4280; Fax: (479) 575-3218
UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT FORT SMITH
Carolyn McKelvey Moore School of Nursing
5210 Grand Avenue, College of Health Sciences Office 207
Fort Smith, AR 72913
Phone: (479) 788-7844; Fax: (479) 424-6831
UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT MONTICELLO
Division of Nursing
P. O. Box 3606
Monticello, AR 71656-3606
Phone: (870) 460-1069; Fax: (870) 460-1969
UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT PINE BLUFF
1200 University Drive #4973
Pine Bluff, AR 71601
Phone: (870) 575-7076; Fax: (870) 575-8229
UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS FOR MEDICAL SCIENCES
College of Nursing
4301 W. Markham, Slot 529
Little Rock, AR 72205
Phone: (501) 686-8493; Fax: (501) 686-7998
UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Department of Nursing
201 Donaghey Avenue
Conway, AR 72035
Phone: (501) 450-5531; Fax: (501) 450-5560
Visit the Arkansas BON website for updates.
Conclusion
And that was how to become an RN in Arkansas.
As we saw, there are only 3 major steps. However, each step will take some time — so make sure you walk through them carefully.
If you follow the guidelines here, then you’ll be well on your way to becoming an RN in Arkansas.
Now that you know all this, you can easily get started.
Good luck!