Last Updated/Verified: November 15th, 2024

As more Americans get enrolled in medical insurance plans, the need for licensed practical nurses is 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 of LPNs have, which also increases demand for these nurses.

LPNs in Arkansas Quick Facts

• LPN school typically takes one to two years to complete.
• The average salary for LPNs in Arkansas is $22.67 an hour and $40,691 a year.
• Licensed practical nurses accounted for 26% of all registered nurses in Arkansas.
• There are around 10,000 licensed practical nurses in Arkansas.
• North Little Rock is the highest paying town in the state for LPNs, 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 of Little Rock has some of the best LPN education opportunities in the state.

Overview of LPN Schools 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 future LPNs to take, each with its advantages.

LPN programs cover the following topics:

• Healthcare Terminology
• Clinical Nursing
• Nursing for Mental Health Patients
• Nursing Care for seniors

LPN Accreditation

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 an approved program by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or other regional accrediting bodies and endorsed by the Arkansas State Board of Nursing before 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 to support you long-term after graduation day arrives with work opportunities.

LPN Admissions 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:

• Graduated high school
• Send transcripts from previous post-secondary institutes, if any
• You have a CPR certification for health care providers
• Completed the TEAS exam

LPN Tuition & Costs

Attending nursing school is a challenging feat, but any goal can be achieved with the right motivation and enough determination. Tuition for nursing school can often be high, but some schools in Arkansas offer programs that are affordable relative to similar programs across the country.

For example, Northwest Technical Institute’s LPN program comes 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.

LPN Licensing Requirements in Arkansas

Arkansas’ educational requirements for an LPN license are standard and include getting your degree from an accredited institution of higher learning. You then have to pass the NCLEX-PN exam before gaining your licensure. In addition, when applying for licensure, some requirements you’ll need are:

Checklist to become an Arkansas LPN:

• Social security number
• Completion of accredited LPN program
• Completion of NCLEX-PN exam
• 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 must affirm 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-PN Exam

Once you complete your LPN school program, the next step is to take the NCLEX-PN test. The NCLEX-PN is 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.

LPN Reciprocity

Nurses in Arkansas can benefit from the fact that their state is part of the Nurse Licensure Compact. This agreement allows nurses to retain their LPN license and 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.

LPN Salaries in Arkansas

The average salary per year for LPNs in Arkansas is $40,691 — or 17% lower than the US’ national average of $52,116.

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

• North Little 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 of medicine, nurses are one of the most needed to care for aging populations. Experienced LPNs can 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 for LPNs in 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.

Top LPN Schools in Arkansas

Ozarka College – Melbourne

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

Ozarka College is located in Melbourne, Arkansas, and has a long-standing history of providing high-quality nursing 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.

Northwest Technical Institute

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

Northwest Technical Institute (NTI) is located in the small town of Springdale, 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 the clinical experience with 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.

Pulaski Technical College

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

Aspiring nurses from the Pulaski Technical College (PTC) can get a technical certificate in LPN and serve the local community equipped with some of the best education in the state. This two-year open-door public college has traditional full-time 11-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 dedicated health care professional. The institute provides affordable education in an ideal learning environment for all types of learners.

The University of Arkansas at Monticello

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

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences is one of the best nursing schools in Arkansas. They offer a practical nursing program fit 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 River Technical College

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

The campus of Black River Technical College is located in Pocahontas, AR. The school’s experienced faculty uses modern teaching techniques to impart knowledge and education that helps students become competent contributors to society.

The University of Arkansas Community College – Morrilton

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

The University of Arkansas Community College offers 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 with clinical experience at some of the best hospitals and clinics around.

UAM – College of Technology – McGehee

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

The University of Arkansas at 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 the health care sector. 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 University is a center of excellence for providing top-quality degree programs at 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 for healthcare professionals. ASU offers scholarship programs that provide opportunities for students who may not be able to afford post-secondary education.

Additional Resources

If you’re interested in taking an LPN program in 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 approving education programs and 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.