10 Best LPN-to-RN Programs in Arkansas – (Online & Campus-Based)


Written By: Darby Faubion, RN, BSN, MBA

Are you a licensed practical nurse in Arkansas who’s longing for greater autonomy in the workplace? LPN-to-RN programs in Arkansas build on your LPN education to help you become a registered nurse in just one to two years. As a registered nurse, your scope of practice will expand to administering medication, performing diagnostic tests, operating medical equipment, and supervising other healthcare personnel, duties you aren’t allowed to perform now. You’ll make $66,530, 45 percent more than you make now, and demand for your services will climb more than 9 percent within the next decade. The list below of the 10 best LPN-to-RN programs in Arkansas will help you get started.



WHAT ARE THE BEST LPN-TO-RN PROGRAMS IN ARKANSAS (ONLINE AND CAMPUS-BASED)?

Based on our Ranking Methodology, the following are the 10 best campus-based and online LPN-to-RN programs in Arkansas.


1. Arkansas State University - Jonesboro


Program Details: If you are searching for one of the best LPN-to-RN programs in Arkansas, you may need to look no further than Arkansas State University. The program is designed to give licensed practical nurses the opportunity to advance their careers and become registered nurses through the LPN-Associate of Applied Science in Nursing program.

ASU admits students to the LPN-AASN program in the fall, spring, and summer semesters. The Spring and Summer cohorts are designed in an online format. The Fall cohort offers online or campus-based options. The online option is only available to students registered at the Jonesboro campus. The online program features distance learning didactic courses and clinical components completed in traditional environments. Clinicals for the online program are held on the weekends each term. The campus-based program includes didactic courses delivered in the classroom, learning in the skills laboratory, and in-person clinical practicums. Both options give you a broad array of experiences to prepare you to step into a new role as a registered nurse.

Candidates must apply for admission to Arkansas State and to the LPN-AASN program separately. After submitting applications for admission, you must take the required admission exams, a registration link for which is posted on the School of Nursing Website. All applicants must complete the Smarter Measure Assessment to determine the degree to which they are ready for distance learning. Finally, you must provide official transcripts from all college work you completed and documentation of all prerequisite coursework you have completed. If it has been more than 12 months since completing your LPN program, you must provide proof of at least 1,000 hours of work experience as an LPN within the past 12-24 months. LPNs who graduated less than 12 months prior to applying to the LPN-to-RN program in Arkansas at ASU do not need work experience to apply. You must maintain an unencumbered LPN license throughout the program.

To earn the Associate of Applied Science in Nursing degree, you must complete 66 credit hours. LPNs receive six credits for prior learning experience. In addition to didactic coursework, you will have a clinical component that provides various opportunities to apply theoretical concepts to hands-on, real-world patient care.


Why Choose This Program

• Arkansas State University has a high retention rate among students enrolled in the LPN to AASN program, which indicates student success. The school reports completion rates higher than the national average for comparable programs.
• Graduates of the ASU LPN-to-RN program are highly sought after. Many receive offers of employment while still enrolled in the program, contingent upon graduating and earning their RN licenses.


2. University of Arkansas at Little Rock - Little Rock


Program Details: Another excellent LPN-to-RN program in Arkansas is offered at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. The program admits students once per year during the fall term. Once all prerequisites are completed, you can expect to complete the program in one year or three terms, including a general education/prerequisite term.

The AAS curriculum requires students to earn 60 credits, which is inclusive of prerequisite, general education, and prior learning credits for your LPN program. 10 credits of the AAS curriculum will be waived upon verification of your LPN license. The curriculum includes classes such as Transition to RN Scope & Role, Obstetric & Reproductive health, Competency for Entry into Practice, and Mental Health Nursing. All courses include a lecture, clinical, and simulation component. You will have opportunities to receive training at the University of Arkansas Little Rock’s state-of-the-art simulation hospital.

Once admitted to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, you must attend a Pre-Admission Information Session hosted by the School of Nursing before applying to the LPN-to-RN program. You must have a minimum grade point average of 2.6 for all AAS general education coursework.

LPNs must hold a valid, unrestricted license to practice as an LPN in the state of Arkansas or a Compact State or be a recent graduate of an approved LPN program. If you have less than 1,000 hours of employment within the previous 24 months and are not a recent LPN graduate, you must take the Elsevier HESI LPN-ADN Entrance Exam.


Why Choose This Program

• At the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, you will learn in one of the most innovative simulation healthcare facilities available, the UA Little Rock Center for Simulation Innovation. In the simulation center, you will enjoy a low 4:1 student-to-faculty ratio, ensuring individualized attention to help you develop the essential skills you need to work as a registered nurse.
• Graduates of the LPN-to-RN program at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock have the option to transition to the online RN-BSN program immediately after passing the final course of the LPN-to-RN program.


3. University of Arkansas Community College Batesville - Batesville


Program Details: The University of Arkansas Community College Batesville has two options for its LPN-to-RN program in Arkansas: a traditional, on-campus path and an online track. Both pathways begin in the spring semester of each year.

The program is comprised of a 67-credit hour curriculum, which includes 27 general education credits and 40 registered nursing credits. LPN-to-RN students must complete 58 credits and are awarded nine credit hours for practical nursing education upon successful completion of the program to help earn the total required.

To be considered for admission to the program, you must first complete an application and be accepted to the college. After submitting your online application, you will receive notification of which documents you must submit to complete your admission application. All candidates must provide high school transcripts, college transcripts, a copy of current immunizations, and placement scores, such as ACT, SAT, or Accuplacer scores.


Why Choose This Program

• The LPN-to-RN programs in Arkansas at U-A Community College Batesville have excellent NCLEX-RN pass rates, which is a strong indication that the school provides the education needed to help you transition from the role of an LPN to an RN.
• At the University of Arkansas Community College Batesville, you will have a student advisor who will work with you and mentor you throughout the program to ensure you have access to all the resources you need to succeed.


4. North Arkansas College - Harrison


Program Details: If you are ready to start an LPN-to-RN program in Arkansas and willing to make a full-time commitment to studies, North Arkansas College has a program worth considering! The LPN-to-RN Bridge program admits students in the spring semester annually and takes three semesters or one academic year to complete. The program is designed for full-time study.

At North Arkansas College, you will begin the LPN-to-RN program by completing coursework for the Associate of General Studies degree and the ADHE core curriculum. You must earn a total of 63 credits to earn the Associate of Applied Science in Nursing degree. In addition to rich classroom experiences and laboratory simulations on campus, you will have diverse clinical experiences designed to prepare you to transition from the LPN role to the role of a registered nurse. Clinical practicums are arranged by program faculty and completed under the direct supervision of clinical faculty or approved preceptors.

To be admitted to the program offered at North Arkansas College, you must have a current, unrestricted LPN license in the state of Arkansas or a Compact State. You must complete all prerequisites before applying. After acceptance into the program, proof of immunizations and CPR certification are required. Additionally, to progress to any clinical setting, you must pass a criminal background check and drug screen, which is arranged by the Program Director.


Why Choose This Program

• At North Arkansas College, you will have a broad range of clinical experiences in various healthcare settings at the school’s clinical partner sites. You will learn important skills to help you transition from the role of an LPN to an RN, including advanced critical thinking and leadership.
• According to post-graduation surveys, program graduates report high satisfaction rates with the program's curriculum, faculty, and support services.


5. Northwest Arkansas Community College - Bentonville


Program Details: Northwest Arkansas Community College offers another great option for an LPN-to -RN program in Arkansas. The program admits a new cohort each spring and takes one academic year or three consecutive semesters to complete. Classes are delivered in an online format. Clinical practicums are held in person in the evenings, overnight, and on some weekends.

The Associate of Applied Science in Nursing requires students to complete 68 credit hours. Once you complete the required prerequisites and general education courses, you will be admitted to the LPN-to-RN program. At that time, you must complete 29 credit hours of LPN-to-RN coursework. You will receive six hours of Prior Learning Credit for possessing a valid LPN license.

Admission to the LPN-to-RN program is competitive, with only 40 students admitted annually. Candidates must have a current license to practice as an LPN in the state of Arkansas. You must provide an LPN Work Attestation Letter that confirms how much work experience you have as a nurse. Candidates who have obtained licensure within the last two months may apply without work experience. Candidates who have been licensed for 3-6 months or 7-12 months or more must have 500 and 1,000 hours of work experience, respectively.


Why Choose This Program

• Graduates of the LPN-to-RN program at Northwest Arkansas Community College have excellent pass rates on the NCLEX-RN, exceeding the national average for first-time test-takers.
• The college offers job placement assistance to students in the program and reports that most graduates have full-time employment as registered nurses within three months of taking and passing the NCLEX-RN and becoming licensed RNs.


6. South Arkansas College - El Dorado


Program Details: The LPN-to-RN transition program at South Arkansas College is one of the best LPN-to-RN programs in Arkansas. The program is part of the Arkansas Rural Nursing Education Consortium. The program admits students annually in January and is designed to be completed in 12 months, with graduation in December. This timeframe is based on all prerequisites being completed.

Although the traditional curriculum combines in-person classroom and laboratory experiences with face-to-face clinicals, the Arkansas Rural Nursing Education Consortium offers a nontraditional approach to the LPN-to-RN program by offering delivery of nursing theory via interactive video, instead of requiring on campus attendance. The ARNEC lectures are scheduled two evenings a week with clinicals every other weekend.

The LPN-to-RN program is a 66-credit pathway. After completing the required prerequisites, you will complete three semesters of nursing coursework. Each semester includes a nursing practicum. Clinical experiences are arranged by faculty and supervised by clinical instructors or program-approved preceptors.

Admission to the program requires being a graduate of a State Board-approved practical/technical nursing program and possessing a valid, unencumbered LPN/LVN license. Candidates must complete an online program application and a separate application to South Arkansas College. You must provide an official high school transcript or GED completion transcript and official transcripts from any colleges you have attended. You must complete all general education courses with a grade of "C" or higher, have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5, and take the NACE I test. Prospective students are ranked and selected based on general education course cumulative GPA and NACE I test score.


Why Choose This Program

• The LPN-to-RN program in Arkansas offered at South Arkansas College is part of an eight-program consortium known as the Arkansas Rural Nursing Education Consortium. The Consortium offers new and innovative approaches to learning, giving LPNs who may otherwise be unable to return to school opportunities to learn using means such as the delivery of nursing theory through interactive video.
• High retention and completion rates, excellent NCLEX-RN pass rates, and excellent post-graduation employment rates all indicate the LPN-to-RN program at South Arkansas College is designed to help students succeed.


7. University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton - Morrilton


Program Details: The University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton is home to another featured LPN-to-RN program in Arkansas. This State Board-approved program is a 12-month program that offers an excellent opportunity for licensed practical nurses to take the next step in advancing their careers to become registered nurses. The program follows a cohort model, with a new class beginning each January and completing the program in December.

The program features a 66-credit curriculum, including 33 prerequisite credits and 33 nursing credits. After completing prerequisite courses such as Anatomy and Physiology I & II, Psychology of Human Development, and Microbiology, you will progress to classes focused on Nursing Concepts. All nursing courses have a corresponding clinical course, and by the time you graduate, you will have completed at least 500 hours of clinical practicum.

To be considered for admission to the program at the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton, you must first be admitted to the college and must have completed or be currently enrolled in prerequisite courses. You must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for all prerequisite coursework. Additionally, you must achieve a score of 60 or higher on the Nursing Accelerated Challenge Exam and have a total score of 100 when the NACE score and prerequisite GPA are combined. If you are selected for admission to the program, you must provide current proof of a negative TB test, flu vaccine, Hepatitis B vaccine or titer, Varicella vaccine or titer, and a current American Heart Association Healthcare Provider CPR Certification.


Why Choose This Program

• The University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton has agreements with several institutions within the state that allow graduates of the LPN-to-RN program to seamlessly transition to their bachelor's degree nursing programs, making it easier to continue their education.
• UACCM boasts a team of faculty with many years of experience in diverse specialties. As a student in the program, you will benefit from their various experiences and insights as you prepare to transition to your professional role as a registered nurse.


8. Arkansas Tech University-Ozark - Ozark


Program Details: Arkansas Tech University-Ozark is home to another top-rated LPN-to-RN program in Arkansas. The program is designed to provide flexibility for LPNs who are currently working, offering half of the nursing theory courses online and the other half in a classroom setting.

LPNs who have completed platform coursework and are admitted to the technical phase of the LPN-to-RN program complete two semesters of full-time study designed to prepare for transition to the registered nurse role.

To be considered for admission to the LPN-to-RN program, you must meet the following criteria. You must complete all platform coursework with a grade of "C" or better and have a minimum 2.75 GPA. All candidates must be at least 18 years of age, complete an appropriate HESI PN exam, and apply for general admission to the university as well as to the RN program. You must have graduated from an Arkansas State Board of Nursing-approved Practical Nursing program within the past 12 months or been employed as an LPN for at least 1,000 hours in the past 12 months. Work experience as an LPN must be in a long-term care or acute care setting. You must possess and maintain an unencumbered Arkansas LPN license throughout the program.


Why Choose This Program

• In addition to options for applying for state and federal financial aid, Arkansas Tech University-Ozark has several scholarship opportunities that LPN-to-RN students may be eligible to receive.
• Graduates of the program have excellent employment rates, with many alumni working at well-known medical facilities, including Mercy Fort Smith, St. Mary's Regional Medical Center, Baptist Fort Smith, and Johnson Regional Medical Center.


9. National Park College - Hot Springs National Park


Program Details: At National Park College, you will find another outstanding LPN-to-RN program in Arkansas. The program is web-enhanced, featuring online didactic courses, campus-based lab simulations and in-person clinicals at various clinical partner sites.

The LPN-to-RN program is a 62-credit pathway. The curriculum includes 31 credit hours of general education coursework and 31 credit hours of nursing coursework. The program is for three semesters once you complete the general education requirements and does not require summer attendance. You will begin the program in the spring and graduate the following spring. LPNs are awarded up to four hours of articulation credit for having and maintaining a current LPN license.

In this program, you will take classes, including Current Concepts in Nursing, Critical Thinking Applications, Nursing Processes, and Psychology. Clinical experiences begin with the first semester of nursing courses. Clinicals take place in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and other healthcare facilities in the Hot Springs and surrounding areas and may occur during morning, day, weekend, or evening hours.

Currently, licensed LPNs who wish to enroll in the LPN-to-RN program must apply for admission to the college and submit a separate Registered Nursing application. You must attend a mandatory RN admissions meeting. You must provide official transcripts from your practical nursing program and any other college or university you have attended and take the ATI TEAS entrance exam.


Why Choose This Program

• National Park College hosts an annual Nursing and Health Sciences Honors Day. This year, more than $140,000 in scholarships were awarded to nursing and health sciences students, some of whom were enrolled in the LPN-to-RN program!
• NPC has a long history of educating students who are prepared as registered nurses capable of improving the quality of healthcare of patients by applying evidence-based practices and current technology.


10. Arkansas Northeastern College - Blytheville


Program Details: Another of our featured LPN-to-RN programs in Arkansas can be found at Arkansas Northeastern College. The program is designed to be completed in five semesters, including a prerequisite semester. Depending on how many prerequisite credits you need, you may complete the program in less time. The traditional associate degree in nursing class begins in the fall semester annually. LPN-to-RN students who have met admission and general education requirements join the traditional class in the spring semester each year.

Both general education and nursing courses are combined with laboratory simulations. You will be immersed in a rich 67-credit curriculum that includes classes such as Psychiatric Nursing, LPN-to-RN Transitions in Nursing, Microbiology with Lab, Advanced Medical-Surgical Nursing, and Nursing Leadership. 37 credits of the curriculum come from nursing course requirements, including eight credits awarded for LPN to RN articulation. All nursing courses, except Nursing Leadership, include a clinical component. You will complete patient care in clinical practicum settings including hospitals, physicians’ offices, and other healthcare facilities. Clinicals are typically scheduled three days per week and are arranged by program faculty.

To begin the application process, you must complete an Arkansas Northeastern College Admission Application and a separate ADN application. You must meet with a Nursing and Allied Health Advising Specialist to determine if you need to take any College Admission Placement Tests, attend scheduled advising sessions, and complete prerequisite courses with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0. You must provide copies of your high school transcript or GED, as well as transcripts from your LPN degree program and any other college or university you have attended. A minimum compositive score of 58.7% on the TEAS exam is required of all candidates.


Why Choose This Program

• Graduates of the LPN-to-RN program in Arkansas at ANC continuously exceed both state and national averages for NCLEX pass rates!
• The school reports high retention and completion rates for its program, which indicates student satisfaction and successful progression.


VIEW OUR RANKING METHODOLOGY



Darby Faubion Shares Advice For Students Eyeing LPN-To-RN Programs In The State Of Arkansas


If I have learned anything in my years as a nurse and healthcare educator, it is that you can never learn too much. Nursing is an ever-growing, ever-evolving field that requires an open mind and a willingness to learn. If you are considering one of the LPN-to-RN programs in Arkansas, I think that is a great option!

The first piece of advice I would like to give you is to find an accredited program. When you attend an accredited LPN-to-RN program, you can have confidence that the education you receive meets high-quality standards, which is essential if you want to be the best nurse possible. Also, do not make a rushed decision when choosing a school. There are several programs to choose from, and taking your time to research the ones that interest you most will help you find the one that is best aligned with your values. Most of all, be true to yourself. If you genuinely want to become a registered nurse, make a list of goals, and do not stop until you achieve them. You can do this!



FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ANSWERED


1. Starting LPN VS. RN Salary In Arkansas: How Much More Can You Earn As An RN?

The starting salary for LPNs in Arkansas is $38,100, and RNs earn an average of $45,200. This is a difference of $7,100 or 18.64% greater earnings for RNs vs LPNs.

RN Average Starting
Annual Salary
LPN Average Starting
Annual Salary
Difference
Number%
$45,200$38,100+$7,100+18.64%
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)


2. Experience-Wise LPN VS. RN Salary In Arkansas: How Much More Can You Earn As An RN?

As with most careers, the more experience you have as a nurse, the higher your earning potential. In Arkansas, an entry-level LPN earns $38,100 annually, while a registered nurse starts out earning around $45,200. With just one to four years of experience, pay increases, with LPNs earning $44,570 and RNs earning $61,830. In just ten years' time, an LPN can earn up to $55,540, but an RN can earn more than $81,000! Overall, the U.S. Bureau of Labor of Statistics reports that the average income for LPNs in Arkansas is $49,360, and the average income for RNs in the state is $72,900, a difference of $23,540 annually or 45.69%.

Level of ExperienceRNLPNDifference
Number%
Entry-Level$45,200$38,100+$7,100+18.64%
1-4 Years of Experience$61,830$44,570+$17,260+38.73%
5-9 Years of Experience$72,920$48,790+$24,130+49.46%
10-19 Years of Experience$81,450$55,540+$25,910+46.65%
20 Years or More Experience$96,040$60,390+$35,650+59.03%
Average Salary$72,900$49,360+$23,540+47.69%
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)


3. Metro Wise LPN VS. RN Salary In Arkansas: How Much More Can You Earn As An RN?

In addition to years of experience, where you live can impact how much money you earn as an RN. In Arkansas, LPNs in the Jonesboro metro area earn an average of $46,220 per year. Those who live in the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers and Pine Bluff metros earn $53,680 and $53,810, respectively. On the other hand, RNs in Fort Smith earn a little less than some of the other metros, with average salaries of $69,000. In the Pine Bluff and Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway metros, they earn $76,440 and $78,290, respectively.

MetroRN Average
Annual Salary
LPN Average
Annual Salary
Difference
Number%
Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers$71,490$53,680+$17,810+33.18%
Fort Smith$69,000$49,920+$19,080+38.22%
Hot Springs$71,140$48,030+$23,110+48.12%
Jonesboro$74,910$46,220+$28,690+62.07%
Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway$78,290$50,930+$27,360+53.72%
Pine Bluff$76,440$53,810+$22,630+42.06%
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)


4. LPN VS. RN Job Outlook In Arkansas: Is The Job Outlook For RN Better Than LPN?

The job outlook for both LPNs and RNs in Arkansas continues to be positive. According to CareerOneStop, LPNs should see an increase of 7.61% or 910 new jobs between 2020 and 2030. Registered nurses are expected to see an increase of 9.08% or 2,350 new jobs. Although both LPNs and RNs have a good job outlook, the overall projections are better for registered nurses.

OccupationEmploymentNew Employment
Growth (2020-2030)
20202030Number%
RN25,89028,240+2,350+9.08%
LPN11,96012,870+910+7.61%
Difference+13,930+15,370+1,440+1.47%
(Source: Careeronestop.org)


5. LPN VS. RN Job Openings In Arkansas: Are There More Job Openings For RN Compared To LPN?

There are currently more job openings for RNs than LPNs in Arkansas. Statistics from CareerOneStop show that annual job openings for LPNs are approximately 1,030, and openings for RNs are 1,640, which is a difference of 610 positions. These numbers account for both new job openings and replacement positions.

OccupationNewReplacementAnnual Job Openings
(New + Replacement)
RN2351,4051,640
LPN919391,030
Difference+144+466+610
(Source: Careeronestop.org)


6. Average LPN-to-RN Salary In Arkansas VS. Average LPN-to-RN Salary In The Nation: Who Earns More?

The average salary of LPN-to-RN graduates in Arkansas is $72,900 compared to the national average of $94,480 for graduates of the same program, a difference of $21,580 or 22.84% less than the national average.

Average Arkansas
PN-to-RN Annual Salary
Average National
LPN-to-RN Annual Salary
Difference
Number%
$72,900$94,480-$21,580-22.84%
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)


Darby Faubion, RN, BSN, MBA
Darby Faubion is a nurse and allied health instructor with over 20 years of clinical experience. Her work history includes clinical experience in pediatrics, mental health, addiction and behavioral disorders, geriatrics, wound management, and communicable disease. Darby has worked in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and home health and hospice agencies. Darby also has experience as a nursing and allied health educator at both community college and university levels. Her love for nursing and nursing education led to her becoming a test-taking strategist and NCLEX prep coach.



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