LPN Programs in Arkansas | Find Top Schools on LPN.com for Free (2023)

Last Updated/Verified: January 12, 2022

As more Americans get enrolled in medical insurance plans, the need forlicensed practical nursesis on a steady rise.

There have been new mandates by federal legislation that require health institutions to focus on many of the symptoms that patients ofLPNshave, which also increases demand for these nurses.

LPNsin Arkansas Quick Facts

• LPNschool typically takes one to two years to complete.
• The average salary forLPNsin Arkansas is $22.67 an hour and $40,691 a year.
• Licensed practical nursesaccounted for 26% of allregistered nursesin Arkansas.
• There are around 10,000 licensed practical nurses in Arkansas.
• NorthLittle Rockis the highest paying town in the state forLPNs, with an average annual salary of $49,724.

Nursing can be an exciting opportunity with many benefits: it offers opportunities for making a significant impact on your community, as well as possibilities for high salary or professional growth. If these sound like things that interest you, the city ofLittle Rockhas some of the bestLPNeducation opportunities in the state.

Overview ofLPNSchools in Arkansas

There are many factors to consider when looking for a school.Community colleges, private, and public schools offer different benefits depending on what you’re interested in studying. Thankfully Arkansas has 26 schools, each offering an accredited program for futureLPNsto take, each with its advantages.

LPNprogramscover the following topics:

• HealthcareTerminology
• Clinical Nursing
• Nursing for Mental Health Patients
• Nursing Carefor seniors

LPNAccreditation

Choosing the right school is a difficult decision for many, but ensuring that you are making an educated choice becomes more manageable with this handy checklist.

Firstly, make sure your potential school of interest offers anapproved programby theAccreditationCommission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or other regional accrediting bodies and endorsed by theArkansas State Board of Nursingbefore signing on.

Secondly, it would be a great bonus to ensure there’s ample opportunity to network with faculty members online or through scheduled meetings. Developing solid relationships with leaders in the industry is excellent since they will be able tosupport you long-term after graduation day arrives with work opportunities.

LPNAdmissions Requirements

The medical field is one of the most competitive industries out there, but it’s also a time-honored profession that has been around for centuries. If you’re thinking about pursuing this path as your career choice, then there are some minimum requirements to meet before getting accepted into the programs. Some of these requirements may include:

• Graduatedhigh school
• Send transcripts from previous post-secondary institutes, if any
• You have a CPR certification forhealth careproviders
• Completed the TEAS exam

LPNTuition & Costs

Attendingnursing schoolis a challenging feat, but any goal can be achieved with the right motivation and enough determination. Tuition fornursing schoolcan often be high, but some schools in Arkansas offer programs that are affordable relative to similar programs across the country.

For example, NorthwestTechnical Institute’sLPNprogramcomes in under $11,000 for the total cost of tuition. Scholarships are also available to those who meet requirements and need financial assistance. This ensures that they don’t have to worry about student loans or get into debt later on down the line.

LPNLicensing Requirements in Arkansas

Arkansas’ educational requirements for anLPNlicenseare standard and include getting your degree from an accredited institution of higher learning. You then have to pass theNCLEX-PNexam before gaining yourlicensure. In addition, when applying forlicensure, some requirements you’ll need are:

Checklist to become anArkansasLPN:

• Social security number
• Completion of accreditedLPNprogram
• Completion ofNCLEX-PNexam
• Criminal background check

Your nursing license expires every two years on your birthday. Renewing your nursing license requires you to complete some continuing education requirements. You mustaffirm that you have met these certain restrictions during the 24 months leading up to your renewal date and passed any exams needed to attain this recognition before applying for renewal.

NCLEX-PNExam

Once you complete yourLPNschool program, the next step is to take theNCLEX-PNtest. TheNCLEX-PNis made up of questions that cover all aspects of medical knowledge. There are practice tests you can take beforehand to make sure you pass the test with flying colors.

LPNReciprocity

Nurses in Arkansas can benefit from the fact that their state is part of theNurseLicensureCompact. This agreement allows nurses to retain theirLPNlicenseand work in any other states that are also part of the compact. Nurses coming into Arkansas from states not part of the compact need to apply for an endorsed license to work in the state.

LPNSalariesin Arkansas

The average salary per year forLPNsin Arkansas is$40,691 — or 17% lower than the US’nationalaverageof $52,116.

The BLS found that the largest metropolitan areas in Arkansas pay these yearly salaries forLPNs:

• NorthLittle Rock, AR ($49,724)
• Rogers, AR ($42,663)
• Springdale, AR ($42,548)
• Little Rock, AR ($41,532)
• West Memphis, AR ($39,985)

Source:https://www.bls.gov/

Out of all the other professions in the field ofmedicine, nurses are one of the most needed to care for aging populations. ExperiencedLPNscan earn significantly higher wages than newly graduated nurses. Nurses’ salaries may also vary depending on their workplace. For example, hospital nurses may make more than a nurse working out of a small clinic.

Job Outlook forLPNsin Arkansas

Some hospitals in Arkansas are trying to find creative ways of attracting and retaining new nurses. The Saline Memorial Hospital, for instance, launched a mentorship program for the wave of newly graduated nurses coming out during this pandemic season.

TopLPNSchools in Arkansas

Ozarka College–Melbourne

218 College Drive,
Melbourne, AR 72556
(870) 368-2300

Ozarka College is locatedin Melbourne, Arkansas, and has a long-standing history of providing high-qualitynursing education. Ozarka offers small classes equipped with advanced labs for hands-on learning experiences where students can practice skills they will need as future nurses. The experienced faculty promotes personal growth while fostering lifelong learners who never stop exploring new ideas and information about their craft.

NorthwestTechnical Institute

709 South Old Missouri Road,
Springdale, Arkansas
(479) 751-8824

NorthwestTechnical Institute(NTI) is locatedin the small town ofSpringdale, Arkansas. It provides flexible schedules for those looking to get their nursing degree. It has a reputation for being one of the best schools out there, specializing in teaching students about theclinical experiencewith experienced staff member guidance. NTI strives to enhance interaction skills by giving you hands-on training where they help teach teamwork through various scenarios such as role-playing or first aid practice.

PulaskiTechnical College

3000 West Scenic Drive North,
Little Rock, Arkansas 72118
(501) 812-2200

Aspiring nurses from the PulaskiTechnical College(PTC) can get atechnical certificateinLPNand serve the local community equipped with some of the best education in the state. This two-year open-door public college has traditionalfull-time11-month certification programs and longer 22 months ones to accommodate the schedules of busy students.

North Arkansas College

1515 Pioneer Drive,
Harrison, Arkansas 72601-5508
(870) 743-3000

North Arkansas College develops its nursing students with technical skills that help them make a more skilled, enduring, and dedicatedhealth careprofessional. The institute provides affordable education in an ideal learning environment for all types of learners.

TheUniversity of Arkansasat Monticello

346 University Drive,
Monticello, Arkansas 71656
(800) 844-1826

TheUniversity of Arkansasfor Medical Sciences is one of the bestnursing schoolsin Arkansas. They offer apractical nursing programfit with modern facilities and cutting-edge medical equipment to help students become highly competent nurses and have a high success rate as they provide hands-on learning opportunities.

Black RiverTechnical College

1410 Highway 304 East,
Pocahontas, Arkansas 72455
(870) 248-4000

The campus of Black RiverTechnical Collegeis locatedin Pocahontas, AR. The school’s experienced faculty uses modern teaching techniques to impart knowledge and education that helps students become competent contributors to society.

TheUniversity of ArkansasCommunity College–Morrilton

1537 University Boulevard,
Morrilton, Arkansas 72110
(501) 977-2000

TheUniversity of ArkansasCommunity Collegeoffers a one-of-a-kind educational environment for nursing students. The college has small classrooms and experienced teaching staff. It also offers affordable tuition rates with flexible schedules for its nursing students. The University focuses on offering students theoretical studies in combination withclinical experienceat some of the best hospitals and clinics around.

UAM–College of Technology–McGehee

346 University Drive,
Monticello, Arkansas 71656
(800) 844-1826

TheUniversity of Arkansasat Monticello has been working diligently to provide comprehensive student services and improve retention rates. Their efforts are to be recognized as an exemplary university with access for all, which aspires to empower and grow the local economy and region.

Arkansas Northeastern College–Burdette

2501 South Division Street,
Blytheville, Arkansas 72315
(870) 824-6102

Arkansas Northeastern College is committed to providing opportunities for thehealth caresector. They are dedicated to helping students achieve their career goals and staying ahead of other aspiring nurses with competitive programs that will help them succeed post-graduation.

Arkansas State University-Beebe

1000 Iowa Street,
Beebe, Arkansas 72012-1000
(501) 882-3600

Arkansas State Universityis a center of excellence for providing top-qualitydegree programsat affordable prices. They are committed to promoting a high-quality workforce equipped with enough technical skills to meet the needs of their community, which has an increasing demand forhealthcareprofessionals. ASU offers scholarship programs that provide opportunities for students who may not be able toafford post-secondary education.

Additional Resources

If you’re interested in taking anLPNprogramin Arkansas, check out these resources for additional information:

Arkansas State Board of Nursing

Nurses receive their licenses through this agency, which is also responsible for approvingeducation programsand enforcing state rules that nurses must abide by.

Arkansas–American Psychiatric Nurses Association

The American Psychiatric Nurses Association provides various benefits for members, including networking events and research opportunities. Arkansas psychiatric nurses can partake in the many offerings that are available to them through this association.

Arkansas Nurses Association

The Arkansas Nurses Association is an organization that provides support and education for nursing professionals. They seek to address issues such as professional development, continuing education, and building networks so that nurses can connect and form healthy communities.