[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /]Arkansas is a great state to work in as a nurse. Demand is high and this is reflected in an excellent average annual salary of $56,150 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Additionally, demand is likely to continue to rise in this versatile profession. But how do you become a nurse in Arkansas?[hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ class=”text-secondary”]ENTRY LEVEL PRACTICE NURSES[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Becoming an [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/entry-level-nursing-paths/”]entry level nurse[/hen-ui-link] is a 3-stage process.[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-list variant=”ordered” bullet-style=”check”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]CHOOSE YOUR PROGRAM[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”xs”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]You can become a licensed practical nurse (LPN) or a [hen-ui-link href=”/registered-nursing/”]registered nurse[/hen-ui-link] (RN).[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]LPNs complete a diploma program, whereas registered nurses complete an associate degree ([hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/adn/”]ADN[/hen-ui-link]) or bachelor degree ([hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/bsn/”]BSN[/hen-ui-link]).[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]An LPN program takes around one year to finish, whereas an ADN will take two years and a [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/bsn/degree-requirements/”]BSN four years[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The LPN program usually have no requirements other than high school or GED. However, ADN and BSN programs will usually ask that you have completed some undergraduate courses.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]PASS THE NCLEX EXAM[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]You need to take the [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.ncsbn.org/nclex.htm”]NCLEX[/hen-ui-link] examination (PN or RN) after you have completed your educational program.[/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ class=”text-secondary”]ADVANCED PRACTICE NURSES[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]To become an [hen-ui-link href=”/careers/advanced-practice-nursing/”]Advanced Practice Nurse[/hen-ui-link] (APN) in Arkansas, you must be authorized by the [hen-ui-link href=”http://www.arsbn.arkansas.gov/Pages/default.aspx”]Arkansas State Board of Nursing[/hen-ui-link] by meeting a number of requirements. This is a 4-stage process.[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-card variant=”background-white” border=”stroke” padding=”lg”] [hen-ui-card-content] [hen-ui-list variant=”ordered” bullet-style=”check”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]EARN A GRADUATE DEGREE[/hen-ui-heading]NP ([hen-ui-link href=”/nurse-practitioner/how-to-become-a-np/”]Nurse Practitioner[/hen-ui-link])[/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]CNM (Certified Nurse Midwife)[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist)[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]CNS (Clinical Nurse Specialist)[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The [hen-ui-link href=”http://www.nursecredentialing.org/”]ANCC (American Nurses Credentialing Center)[/hen-ui-link] that recognizes the Adult Nurse Practitioner, Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP), Gerontological Nurse Practitioner (GNP), Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) and the Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP).[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The [hen-ui-link href=”http://www.aanpcert.org/ptistore/control/index”]AANP (American Academy of Nurse Practitioners)[/hen-ui-link] that recognizes the Adult Nurse Practitioner and the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The [hen-ui-link href=”http://www.aacn.org/DM/MainPages/AACNHomePage.aspx?pageid=1″]AACN (American Association of Critical-Care Nurses)[/hen-ui-link]that recognizes the Acute Care Nurse Practitioner.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The [hen-ui-link href=”http://www.nccwebsite.org/”]NCC (National Certification Corporation for the Obstetric, Gynecologic and Neonatal Nursing Specialties)[/hen-ui-link] that recognizes the Women Health Care Nurse Practitioner (WHNP) and the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP).[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The [hen-ui-link href=”http://www.pncb.org/ptistore/control/index”]PNCB (Pediatric Nursing Certification Board[/hen-ui-link] that recognizes the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner in Acute Care and Primary Care.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The [hen-ui-link href=”http://www.amcbmidwife.org/”]AMCB (American Midwifery Certification Board)[/hen-ui-link] that recognizes the Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM).[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The [hen-ui-link href=”http://www.nbcrna.com/Pages/default.aspx”]National Board on Certification and Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA)[/hen-ui-link] that recognizes the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA).[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]APPLY TO BECOME LICENSED[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]For this you must provide your social security number. You must complete the [hen-ui-link href=”http://www.arsbn.arkansas.gov/forms/Documents/advanced_pnla_inst1.pdf”]Advanced Practice Nurse Licensure Application[/hen-ui-link] for all specializations and mail this together with the fee and supporting documentation to the Board. The Board no longer provides paper copies of licenses and you must check your status [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.ark.org/arsbn/statuswatch/index.php/nurse/search/new”]online[/hen-ui-link].You will also need to complete a full criminal history background check. Forms for this are included in your application packet. You can take a fingerprint card to your local law enforcement agency. This must all be sent to the Board together with the necessary fees.You can also apply for your [hen-ui-link href=”http://www.arsbn.arkansas.gov/forms/Documents/cert_pa_ia_inst1.pdf”]Certificate of Prescriptive Authority[/hen-ui-link] so long as you have met the necessary requirements. You must include a [hen-ui-link href=”http://www.arsbn.arkansas.gov/advPractice/Pages/QualityAssuranceGuidelinesforAPNs.aspx”]Quality Assurance Plan[/hen-ui-link] as well as the necessary fees. If you also wish to prescribe controlled substances, then you must be registered through the DEA.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]RENEW YOUR LICENSE TOGETHER WITH YOUR RN LICENSED BIANNUALLY[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”xs”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]This must be done no more than 60 days before it expires. Expiration date is the last day of the month of your birth. Your license renewal status can also be checked online.You have to meet the necessary CE requirements for the Board as well. This includes 15 hours of contact hours focused on practice every two years. These requirements stand for both your APN and your RN license. You also need to meet the CE requirements of your national certification agency.An additional 5 contact hours must be spent in pharmacotherapy that is related to your field of specialization if you hold and want to maintain your prescriptive authority.You will not get a letter to remind you that your license is due for renewal. You will, however, receive a postcard renewal. Your APN license renewal costs $40, and your RN license renewal costs $75.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”http://www.arsbn.arkansas.gov/Pages/default.aspx”]Arkansas State Board of Nursing[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]University Tower Bldg.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]1123 South University[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Suite 800[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Little Rock, AR 72204-1619[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Phone: 501-686-2700[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Fax: 501-686-2714[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list] [/hen-ui-card-content][/hen-ui-card] 
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This must be a post-baccalaureate program at graduate level or above. The program must be approved by the Board and must be registered with the [hen-ui-link href=”http://chea.org/search/default.asp”]Council for Higher Education Accreditation[/hen-ui-link] and/or the [hen-ui-link href=”http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/Search.aspx?6d6f64653d31267264743d332f372f3230313220333a35383a343020504d”]U.S. Department of Education[/hen-ui-link]. Additionally, the programs must meet the requirements as set by the Board in their [hen-ui-link href=”http://www.arsbn.arkansas.gov/lawsRules/Documents/RR_Chapter6.pdf”]Arkansas State Board of Nursing Rules, Chapter 6[/hen-ui-link].Programs must prepare you to take on a specific advanced practice role. The curriculum must include advanced health assessment, advanced physiology/pathophysiology and advanced pharmacology.You may pursue a Certificate of Prescriptive Authority as an APN in Arkansas. To be eligible, you must have completed at least three credits at graduate level in pharmacology and/or 45 contact hours in pharmacology for continuing education (CE). You must also have completed at least 300 hours in a preceptorship that included prescribing therapeutic devices, drugs and medicine while being supervised.APNs [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/state/arkansas/”]in Arkansas[/hen-ui-link] specialize in a population focus. There are different specialty areas of APNs and CNSs (clinical nurse specialists). APNs can focus on acute care, adult, adult psychiatric & mental health, family, family psychiatric & mental health, gerontological, pediatric, neonatal and women health care. A CNS can specialize in acute/critical care ; adult, acute/critical care ; neonatal, adult health setting, adult/psychiatric & mental health nursing, gerontological nursing and pediatric nursing.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]BECOME NATIONALLY CERTIFIED IN ONE OF FOUR AREAS OF SUB-SPECIALIZATIONS[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]You can be certified in multiple areas. The four options are:
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