How to Become an RN in Arkansas: 5 Steps

Want to know exactly how to become an RN in Arkansas? The process includes earning a nursing degree, passing the NCLEX exam, and meeting state-specific licensing rules. This step-by-step guide breaks down the entire process so you can start your nursing career with confidence.

Working in this state comes with serious perks — high demand for nurses, affordable cost of living, and government incentive programs for healthcare professionals. Plus, Arkansas is named the Natural State for a reason — it’s packed with amazing outdoor experiences like rock climbing, kayaking, and hiking, perfect for a rich personal life to balance out your work.

How to Become an RN in Arkansas: Interesting Facts

• High demand for RNs: Arkansas is actively working to strengthen its nursing workforce, committing $20 million to expand training programs and increase the number of practicing RNs.
• Strong network of healthcare facilities: Arkansas is home to Washington Regional Medical Center and Baptist Health Medical Center in Little Rock, both nationally recognized for excellence in specific procedures and treatments.
• Wallet-friendly living: Arkansas’s cost of living is 22.5% lower than the national average, and its homes are 46.2% more affordable than those nationwide.
• Government programs: Arkansas offers incentives to healthcare professionals, including loan repayment and scholarships, to help serve the 43.9% of its population that lives in rural areas.
• Outdoor adventures: Arkansas offers a wide variety of outdoor activities, from rock climbing in the Ozark Mountains to hiking the picturesque Mirror Lake Waterfall, giving you the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation.

Becoming an RN in Arkansas: A Snapshot Into the Role

As you explore the steps to become an RN in Arkansas, you’ll find that a nursing license opens doors to countless opportunities. You might choose a clinical path, caring for patients in hospitals, outpatient facilities, or community clinics, or explore non-bedside roles, such as medical coding, consulting, or informatics. With experience, you could move into leadership positions, teach the next generation of nurses, or contribute to ground-breaking research that drives better patient outcomes.

Here are some examples of nursing specialties you may choose to focus on:

• Cath lab RN: Work in the catheterization lab assisting with heart-related procedures like angiograms, stent placements, and pacemaker insertions.
• Endoscopy RN: Assist with diagnostic and therapeutic procedures involving the gastrointestinal tract, such as colonoscopies and endoscopic biopsies.
• Neurology RN: Provide care for patients with neurological conditions such as stroke, epilepsy, and Parkinson’s disease.
• Oncology RN: Care for cancer patients, administering chemotherapy, managing pain, and supporting treatment for conditions such as neutropenia, infections, and tumor lysis syndrome.
• Pediatric RN: Care for children by performing tasks like immunization, monitoring growth and development, and providing care for illnesses like ear infections or respiratory issues.

No matter what kind of nurse you become, there are a few key responsibilities you’ll find in nearly every role. Here are a few of the core tasks most RNs handle:

• Administering medications: Safely give prescribed medications and treatments, ensure the right dose, and monitor for side effects.
• Performing patient assessments: Conduct head-to-toe assessments, observe symptoms, and monitor pain levels.
• Creating care plans: Using NANDA diagnoses and the nursing process, create comprehensive care plans that address your patient’s specific needs.
• Documenting care provided: Write progress notes, update patient charts, and witness informed consent.
• Advocating for patients: Help patients receive care tailored to their needs and preferences, including cultural and spiritual considerations.

How Long Does It Take to Become an RN in Arkansas?

The journey of how to become an RN in Arkansas includes completing an accredited nursing program and getting licensed, a process that typically takes two to four years. Here are the main educational paths you can take:

How to Become an RN in Arkansas: 5 Steps

Breaking into the nursing field requires specific education, clinical experience, and proper licensure. Here’s a simple guide to the steps to earn an RN license in Arkansas.

Step 1: Complete an Accredited Nursing Program

The first step to becoming a licensed RN in Arkansas is to complete an accredited ADN or BSN nursing program. You’ll typically need to complete prerequisite courses and pass a nursing entrance exam — such as the HESI or TEAS — to get admitted to the program.

Want to earn your BSN in Arkansas? Here are some top-rated programs to look into:

• Southern Arkansas University – Magnolia
• Harding University – Searcy
• Arkansas State University – Jonesboro
• Arkansas Tech University – Russellville

Want to become a nurse through an ADN program? These community colleges in Arkansas can help make it happen:

• Arkansas Northeastern College -Blytheville
• Arkansas State University-Beebe
• University of Arkansas at Monticello
• National Park College-Hot Springs

Once accepted, your education will include classroom learning activities as well as clinical rotations at healthcare facilities, where you’ll gain hands-on nursing experience.

Tip: Avoid fraudulent programs. Make sure the nursing program you choose is approved by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing (ASBN), which typically means it’s accredited by either the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

Step 2: Take the NCLEX-RN Exam

Your next step is taking the NCLEX-RN — the nationwide licensing exam designed to evaluate your ability to apply nursing knowledge in real-life situations. The exam is adaptive, with 85 to 150 questions, and you’ll have up to five hours to complete it.

To take your exam in Arkansas, you must first apply for licensure through the ASBN and register with Pearson VUE. Below are important details to guide you through the process:

• Create an account through the Arkansas Nurse Portal.
• Submit your application for initial RN licensure approximately 60 days before graduation. Upload all required documents and pay the application fee.
• Request official transcripts from your nursing program to be sent directly to the ASBN.
• Declare your primary state of legal residence. Acceptable documents include a driver’s license or a voter registration card with your home address.
• Provide an affidavit of graduation. If you graduated from an Arkansas nursing program, your program director will complete the electronic affidavit after all program requirements are met. If you graduated from a nursing program outside of Arkansas, your program director must complete a paper version of this document and mail it directly to the ASBN.
• Register for the NCLEX with Pearson VUE and pay the $200 exam fee.
• Complete a criminal background check. Arkansas law requires both state and federal background checks for all licensure applicants.
• Apply for a temporary permit (optional) if you wish to practice as an RN while waiting to take the licensure exam.

Tip: Worried about what happens if you don’t pass? Failing the NCLEX doesn’t mean you’re not meant to be a nurse. It just means you need more time before stepping into the field. You can retake the NCLEX after a mandatory 45-day waiting period. Use this time wisely to create a focused study plan based on your candidate performance report (CPR).

Step 3: Wait for Your Arkansas RN License

So, you’ve passed the NCLEX — what’s next in your journey of how to become an RN in Arkansas? The ASBN will now verify your results and issue your license. Here’s what to expect while you wait.

• NCLEX results: You can get the quick results in 2 business days or wait for official results that take about 6 weeks.
• License status: You can monitor your application and license status through the Arkansas Nurse Portal. It typically takes 4 weeks to process your application once all documents and approvals are submitted.
• Verification: Once issued, your license can be verified online via the ASBN License Verification Portal.

Arkansas is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), which means if you declare Arkansas as your primary state of residence, you can apply for a multistate license. This allows you to practice in other compact states without needing to apply for endorsement — perfect for anyone interested in travel nursing or working in different states.

Step 4: Start Your RN Job Hunt

The last exciting step on how to become an RN in Arkansas is applying for a job. The state provides a broad range of nursing opportunities, whether you’re looking to work in a hospital, a specialized clinic, or a rural healthcare facility.

Ready to explore RN jobs in Arkansas. Check out opportunities at some of the state’s most respected hospitals and medical centers:

• Arkansas Children’s Hospital
• Conway Regional Health System
• Forrest City Medical Center
• Jefferson Regional Specialty Hospital
• Mercy Hospital Fort Smith
• Saline Memorial Hospital
• St. Bernards Healthcare
• St. Vincent Heart Clinic of Arkansas (CommonSpirit Health)
• University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
• Washington Regional – Fayetteville

If you’re not into hospital jobs, don’t worry — Arkansas has many other career options. You can work in mental health clinics like The BridgeWay, research institutions like the Applied Research Center, and public health facilities like the State of Arkansas or your county’s health department.

Step 5: Keep Your RN License Up to Date

Your journey of how to become a registered nurse in Arkansas doesn’t end once you receive your license — keeping it active through timely renewal is essential. Here’s how you can renew your Arkansas RN license:

• Timeline: You’ll need to renew your license every 2 years by your birth month. Your first license may be valid from 3 to 27 months, depending on when you were born.
• Continuing education: You must complete 15 practice-focused contact hours from an ASBN-approved provider, obtain certification/recertification from a recognized body, or take nursing (or related) courses at an academic institution to meet renewal requirements.
• Application: You’ll need to submit a renewal application and pay the $100 renewal fee by the designated deadline to keep your license active.

How Much Do RNs Earn in Arkansas?

The average salary for RNs in the Natural State is $77,720 annually, though this number can vary based on the work setting and how long you’ve been in the field.

Looking for higher-paying roles or more job openings? Focus your job hunt in Arkansas’s most populous cities, where demand (and pay) tends to be higher:

• Little Rock
• Fayetteville
• Fort Smith
• Springdale
• Jonesboro

Helpful Resources for Arkansas Nurses

Now that you know how to become an RN in Arkansas, it’s time to start thriving in your career. These resources can guide you through networking, job hunting, and beyond:

• Arkansas Center for Nursing
• Arkansas Department of Health
• Arkansas Nurses Association
• Arkansas Nurse Practice Act
• Arkansas School Nurses Association
• Rural Health Association of Arkansas

Looking for an RN Job That Works for You?

Now that you’ve learned how to become an RN in Arkansas, take the next step toward a fulfilling career. Sign up for customized job alerts with IntelyCare and find the right RN nursing role, right where you are.