Explore the best online programs for accredited nursing degrees in Arkansas. Students in Arkansas seeking work in nursing must be licensed by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing and meet state-mandated requirements to practice. For inclusion on our list, the colleges with the best online nursing degrees in Arkansas are based on the following criteria:
- The nursing school has a primary location in Arkansas.
- The school offers an online nursing degree at the bachelor's level or an online RN to BSN.
- The nursing school has publicly available for 2023, which is sourced from government data. Pass rates are listed for the baccalaureate degree level.
- Either all or the vast majority of coursework is completed online. Many of the best online nursing programs still require some in-person clinical hours, internships, or practicums.
2025 Best Online Nursing Programs in Arkansas
| School | NCLEX Pass Rate | Online Enrollment |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Tech University | 96.36% | 2,602 |
| Arkansas State University | 95.54% | 5,823 |
| Henderson State University | 88.89% | 790 |
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | 88.54% | 3,223 |
| University of Central Arkansas | 86.09% | 1,446 |
| University of Arkansas | 83.52% | 3,361 |
Becoming a Nurse in Arkansas
You need a certain level of education to become a nurse in Arkansas. The required form of nursing education differs based on what type of nurse you hope to be. For example, a licensed practical nurse (LPN) must complete a short diploma program, but an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) needs either a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).
Once you have the right education, it's time to take the appropriate National Council Licensure Examinations (NCLEX) for your level. You can apply for a license through the Arkansas State Board of Nursing (ASBN) once you pass the exam.
As in many states, job prospects are good for nurses in the Natural State because Arkansas is and other qualified healthcare professionals. This means that jobs may be relatively easy to find but you might work long hours in less-than-ideal conditions to support the employer.
Read on to learn about licensing requirements for different levels of nursing in Arkansas.
To learn about online nursing programs and requirements in other states, explore our list of accredited nursing degrees by state below:
Nursing Degrees by State
- Alabama
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- Washington
- Washington D.C.
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
How To Get Certified Nurse Aide Certification in Arkansas
A certified nurse aide (CNA) plays an important role in healthcare by meeting the basic daily needs of patients. A CNA works under the supervision of an LPN or registered nurse (RN) to assist patients when bathing, dressing, and eating. They also reposition patients, prepare rooms for admissions, and dress wounds.
Becoming a CNA required a state certification. The Arkansas Department of Human Services oversees the and the certification process. Graduating from a state-approved CNA training program is the first step to becoming a CNA. These training programs are offered at various community colleges, rehabilitation centers, and technical centers throughout the area. Completing a total of at least 90 hours is required: 30 hours of classroom and laboratory training, 45 hours of clinical training, and 15 hours of Alzheimer's and dementia training.
Passing a is the final step to receiving an Arkansas CNA license. The state requires applicants to pass the exam within one year of completing CNA training and within three attempts. After three failed attempts, the applicant will have to go through the CNA training again and retake the test.
Certification is valid for two years. To maintain certification, the individual must work as a paid CNA for at least eight hours during the 24 months preceding the certification period.
How To Get a Licensed Practical Nurse License in Arkansas
An LPN fulfills many vital roles in a healthcare setting, such as transferring patients, changing bandages, and inserting catheters. There are two routes to becoming an becoming an LPN in Arkansas: licensure by exam or licensure by endorsement. In both cases, candidates must graduate from an ASBN-approved training program. Community colleges, technical institutes, and healthcare facilities most often offer these programs.
Candidates for must pass the NCLEX-PN after graduating. This test evaluates an individual's knowledge in safe and effective care, health promotion and maintenance, psychiatric health and diseases, infectious disease, and care across the lifespan. After taking the NCLEX, applicants must also undergo a criminal background check.
requires a candidate to hold an active LPN license from another state. They must submit proof of education and licensure in their state and undergo a criminal background check. Arkansas is a member of the , which makes it easier for nurses in member states to earn licensure in fellow compact states.
Arkansas LPN licenses expire every two years on the licensee's birthday. Prior to each renewal, LPNs must complete at least 15 contact hours of appropriately accredited practice-focused activities or study.
How To Get a Registered Nurse License in Arkansas
RNs work closely with physicians and a multidisciplinary team of professionals to provide the highest quality care to patients with a range of illnesses. RNs juggle many responsibilities, from performing ongoing patient health assessments and administering medications to providing psychological and emotional support to patients and family members.
A license is necessary to practice as an RN in this state. As with LPNs, RNs can earn their licenses by exam or through endorsement from another state's nursing board.
In either case, the process starts with graduating from an accredited school of nursing with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). Exam licensees must then pass the NCLEX-RN exam in Arkansas, while endorsement license candidates must prove that they passed it in another state by submitting their active license. After this, both sets of applicants must complete a criminal background check.
RN licenses must be renewed every two years. This requires completing at least 15 hours of continuing education.
RNs have lots of flexibility to specialize, so we offer guidance on how to become a travel nurse, how to become a pediatric nurse, and how to become a neonatal nurse.
How To Get an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse License in Arkansas
RNs interested in furthering their career may consider becoming an APRN. An APRN holds an advanced nursing degree and has hundreds of hours of work experience as an RN.
Individuals must hold an active RN license to be eligible to apply for license or in Arkansas. After completing a graduate degree, an aspiring APRN needs to make sure that they hold a national nursing certification in a specialty. The Arkansas State Board of Nursing recognizes the following APN specialties:
Certified nurse midwife (CNM)
Certified nurse practitioner (ANP)
Certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA)
Clinical nurse specialist (CNS)
Independent national agencies grant nursing certifications. The ASBN honors certifications from several dozen of these , including the following:
- American Nurses Credentialing Center
- American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
- American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
- Pediatric Nursing Certification Board
- American Midwifery Certification Board
- National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists
The final step for APRN candidates is submitting fingerprints for a criminal background check and sending other information (sealed transcripts, verification of RN license, etc.) to the ASBN.
APRN licenses must be renewed every two years, and at least 15 contact hours of accredited practice-focused continuing education activities must be completed for renewal. APRNs should contact the appropriate certification agency regarding continuing education requirements for their specialty certification.
OnlineU has several resources of interest to APRNs, including a 2023 Best Online Nurse Practitioner Degree Programs page, a guide on How To Become a Nurse Anesthetist, and a Guide to Online Nurse Practitioner Degrees.
Student Reviews of Online Nursing Programs
After a few years of trying to get accepted into the nursing program at other colleges a friend introduced me to Chamberlain. Nervous and scared I enrolled and started my BSN for Nursing. I have attended two other community colleges prior and this college has been the best experience so far. The staff is always willing to lend a hand if I am struggling or providing me with top notch tutoring for free so I can obtain the best grade. The standards they require are up front and everything is explained... Read More
Review Date: 11/23/2020
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
Thanks, Aspen University for allowing me to complete my BSN! It is a great program for adult learners able to maintain self-direction and discipline in their academic studies! I have previous online college experience and would never want to sit in a classroom again! Your professors were really encouraging and assisted in coaching my starting writing ability also with the added bonus of teaching how to do power points and recorded presentations as weekly assignments. I am sure these skills will come... Read More
Review Date: 11/15/2021
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
I chose Chamberlain because of the ease of the admission process, help with financial support, and the schedule per semester - 8 week sessions twice each semester as opposed to a single 16 week session which allows more classes in shorter time and less time to reach graduation day! The courses are well laid out and organized in a manner that is straight forward and easy to follow. The lessons offer direction and give advice on being successful.
Review Date: 12/1/2020
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
Two words 鈥淕reat School鈥� and great experience. Very helpful faculty and easy to communicate with which is very important when you鈥檙e taking classes remotely. I am going back now to complete my MSN definitely sticking with Aspen. Very affordable and efficient courses with clear expectations. Great job Aspen.
Review Date: 1/11/2023
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
This school is awful in terms of teaching. I have entered a session (8-weeks) and the teacher they have for Adult Health 1 and 2 is appalling. I have never in my life had to deal with Professor Carlise and he DOES NOT TEACH. He claims he has anxiety, ANXIETY! How can you be an instructor but you have anxiety about EVERYTHING. He does not teach whatsoever, as students, we are creating powerpoints and presenting to each other. He claims that this is the new method of teaching across the board and we... Read More
Review Date: 11/5/2020
Would Recommend: No
Helpful for Career: No
I just graduated in May 2018 from the ADN to BSN program and these are my thoughts. There is a very steep learning curve and a lot of it is self study. The courses are pretty straight forward, but it's very paper intensive. My first semester was the hardest because it's different than my ADN program in terms of studying. You need to be very disciplined. Thankfully, my student mentor was VERY helpful with supporting me. That was the key to my success. There is a misconception that the online program... Read More
Review Date: 10/16/2018
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
I am in my fourth of a five semester RN-BSN program with the hopes of going to nurse anesthesia school. The courses are one at a time but make no mistake, they can be challenging with all the discussion boards, assignments and research papers that are required. Not to mention you're packing an entire 16 week course into 4. Nevertheless, I would have to say that I'm pleased with the program. Most of the professors are friendly and reasonable and the (nursing) program is both nationally and regionally... Read More
Review Date: 9/3/2015
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: No
Arizona State University (ASU) is an excellent place to further your education! I received amazing support and really felt cared about as a person in my classess. The school reached out to me multiple times throughout my online education journey: checking up on me, listening to my frustrations and helping me set goals! I am continuing on with (ASU) and am currently enrolled in the doctorate program to become a family nurse practitioner. ASU is fantastic.
Review Date: 3/4/2017
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
I attended the University of Phoenix online for my bachelors of science in nursing (BSN). I was a registered nurse but I wanted to further my career because education is extremely important to me. I had a great experience going to school for my BSN. I feel it truly made me a better writer. I was required to write an essay every single week, and even though I dreaded writing one so often, it benefited me tremendously in the long run. Now I'm going to school for my masters in Family Nurse Practitioner... Read More
Review Date: 6/27/2017
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
Enjoyed my experience here at Herzing. Instructors are helpful and are very accommodating. They prep you extremely well to be able to pass the NCLEX after graduation. Was able to get good clinicals at various hospitals to get different experiences. Everyone is extremely friendly here. One downfall is it can be disorganized because of changes that are always being made.
Review Date: 5/28/2019
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
This program does not communicate with their students, some of the teachers care about their students but a majority does not care. There is a lack of understanding, respect and communication. My first semester in the program is totally different from my experience in the second semester of the program
Review Date: 12/22/2019
Would Recommend: No
Helpful for Career: No
Texas Tech University Health Science Center is a great place to learn and become a future healthcare employee. The teachers and staff are great educators and do whatever it takes to help students learn and thrive. Nursing school is challenging, yet so rewarding. TTUHSC is an amazing institution.
Review Date: 10/11/2017
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
UW-Milwaukee had a very nice and simple laid out curriculum that explains exactly what classes are needed and in what order you take those classes. This was very easy to follow so you can see what classes you already took and what classes you still need to complete. During the nursing program there is a good balance between clinical time on site and class time with lecture and group projects.
Review Date: 2/24/2017
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
Great nursing program. Diverse student body.
Review Date: 10/5/2015
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
Georgia Southern University is an excellent school in the great town of Statesboro, GA. The location with the first thing that was a huge plus for me. It is only about an hour and a half from Augusta, GA, and forty-five minutes away from Savannah, GA. It was close enough to home to feel secure, but far enough away to get a full college experience. The classes were really great! The school of nursing ran like a well-oiled machine. I enjoyed the clinical experience I received at both the local hospital... Read More
Review Date: 3/2/2019
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
Pitt State is the place to go if you want to be the best nurse you can be. I was thoroughly prepared to pass boards and work in a current, up to date environment.
Review Date: 8/10/2015
Would Recommend: Yes
Helpful for Career: Yes
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