LPN to RN Online Programs in AR: Uncovering Top Degrees
While you’re making a difference every day as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), you might be dreaming of expanding your impact—and your opportunities—as a Registered Nurse (RN). LPN to RN bridge programs offer a strategic pathway to advance your career without pressing pause on your current role. But with multiple options across Arkansas, choosing the right program can feel overwhelming. Let’s cut through the confusion and explore three top LPN to RN programs in Arkansas, comparing everything from costs and schedules to clinical requirements.
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Inside Three Online LPN to RN Options in Arkansas
Now is a great time to become a Registered Nurse (RN) in Arkansas, particularly if you’re a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) hoping to level up via a bridge program. According to a recent study commissioned by the Arkansas Hospital Association Services, the state is experiencing an RN shortage, with only 76% of the demand for these professionals being fulfilled.
Of course, you want to do your due diligence before jumping into any degree program. To help, we looked at some of the best bridge programs in Arkansas, including “mostly online” and hybrid options that allow you to better balance work and school—and cut down on transportation costs.
What’s the difference between mostly online and hybrid formats?
- Mostly online: in-person classes and clinical experiences may be required, but most learning activities are virtual.
- Hybrid: a mix of online and in-person learning activities, such as face-to-face lectures on campus, virtual group work, or in-person clinical training at healthcare sites
Let’s explore three top LPN to RN bridge programs in Arkansas, along with potential salaries and common FAQs.
University of Arkansas Community College Batesville
The online LPN-RN program offered by the University of Arkansas Community College Batesville leads to an Associate of Applied Science degree. Courses within this program include nursing theory classes that cover the strategies used to deliver patient-centered care.
Specific topics may include:
- Pharmacology
- Therapeutic communication
- Clinical judgment
- Patient care across the lifespan
They also take practicum courses where they demonstrate their clinical judgment skills in real-world settings under supervision. The practicum course must be completed in-person, but many other courses can be completed online.
Students are also required to participate in a preceptorship to ensure they understand what’s expected of an RN.
Duration: Two semesters
Mode: Hybrid or In Person
Cost: $7,087 in-district, $7,567 in-state, $8,377 out-of-state
Admissions Requirements:
- Current LPN license
- National average score on the NACE Foundations of Nursing Entrance Exam
- Minimum GPA of 2.0 for all previous college coursework
- Successful completion of prerequisite courses with grade of C or greater
- Official transcripts
- Drug screen
- Immunizations
- Transition to RN Practice course
- Criminal background check
Core Curriculum:
- Nursing Theory I, II
- Nursing Practicum I, II, III
- General education courses (English, math, life science, social science)
Northwest Arkansas Community College
The LPN to RN option at Northwest Arkansas Community College prepares students for the NCLEX exam, which is a prerequisite for RN licensure in Arkansas. Since most students work while completing this degree, the program has been designed for maximum flexibility.
All lectures are hosted online, and the clinical components are offered at flexible times, such as on the weekend or at night. The school also offers an accelerated track that can be completed in a trio of fall, summer, and spring semesters or a longer, but slower paced option.
Duration: Three semesters
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $6,188 in-district, $10,676 in-state, $11,560 out-of-state (including general education courses)
Admissions Requirements:
- 18 years of age
- Valid LPN license
- Passing score on the National League of Nursing (NLN) exam
- Minimum GPA of 2.75 for all previous coursework
- Successful completion of prerequisite courses
- Drug screening
- Official transcripts
- LPN work attestation letter
- Criminal background check
Core Curriculum:
- Essentials of LPN to RN Role Transition
- Intermediate Concepts of Med-Surg Nursing
- Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing
- Nursing Care of Adults
- Nursing Care of Childbearing Families
- Family Centered Pediatric Nursing
- General education courses (English, math, psychology, anatomy and physiology, etc.)
University of Arkansas Little Rock
The LPN/Paramedic to RN Program at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock allows students to earn an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing degree in as little as one year. LPNs begin by taking a transition to RN class, where they learn what registered nurses do every day and what to expect on the job.
Other coursework covers topics such as:
- Pediatric health
- Mental health
- Reproductive nursing
Every class includes lecture, clinical, and lab components conducted in the school’s cutting-edge simulation hospital. For extra flexibility, students are provided the option to complete the program in one of three formats:
- Entirely in-person
- Hybrid format
- Mostly online format
Duration: Three semesters
Mode: Hybrid, in-person, or online
Cost: $12,125 resident, $33,475 non-resident (including general education courses)
Admissions Requirements:
- Valid LPN license
- Pre-Admission Information Session
- Prerequisite courses (math, rhetoric, psychology, biology, etc.)
- Minimum GPA of 2.6 in AAS general education courses
- Minimum GPA of 2.0 in UA Little Rock coursework
- Elsevier HESI LPN-ADN Entrance Exam (for those with fewer than 1,000 hours of LPN employment)
- Drug screening
- Official transcripts
Core Curriculum:
- Intro to Nursing: Concepts
- Adult Nursing
- Transition to RN Scope & Role
- Concepts of Adult Nursing
- Mental Health Nursing
- Obstetric & Reproductive Health
- Pediatric Nursing
- Competency for Entry into Practice
- General education courses (composition, quantitative math and reasoning, psychology, anatomy and physiology, etc.)
Answering Online LPN to RN Program FAQs
Chances are, you still have some questions about LPN to RN programs in Arkansas. Below you’ll find answers to the most common questions prospective students ask about these degrees, as well as resources that can help you navigate specific concerns.
How long are LPN to RN bridge programs?
You can usually expect to complete your LPN-RN bridge program in two to three semesters. However, it depends on the school you choose and the prerequisites you need to complete.
For working LPNs looking to advance their careers, these programs are designed to build upon existing knowledge and clinical experience, making them significantly shorter than traditional RN programs. Factors impacting duration include:
- Enrollment status (full time or part time)
- Previous transferrable credits
- Clinical placements in your area
- Program structure, such as schools that offer accelerated LPN to RN programs or programs without prerequisites
What are the admission requirements for LPN to RN programs in Arkansas?
Although admissions requirements may vary from school to school, all schools offering LPN to RN programs in Arkansas expect applicants to have an active LPN license when they apply. Other admissions requirements may include:
- Exams: Taking an exam to test your knowledge of and readiness for a nursing program
- Coursework: Passing prerequisite courses with a certain grade point average
- Experience: Having satisfactory LPN work experience
Expert Insight
Because you’re already an LPN, you’ll skip the basics and delve right into RN clinical training. This is why having some LPN experience under your belt is ideal before enrolling in an LPN to RN program. If you’ve never worked as an LPN, you may feel behind during clinical training even though you received LPN training in school.
What is the cost for LPN to RN programs?
The cost of LPN to RN bridge programs varies significantly, with total expenses typically ranging from roughly $6,000 to $30,000 for public institutions. This cost variation depends on several factors, including whether you’re attending an in-state or out-of-state school, choosing a public or private institution, and more.
The total expense goes beyond just tuition, encompassing additional costs such as:
- Textbooks
- Lab fees
- Clinical supplies
- Uniforms
- Technology fees
- Licensing exam fees
However, you can also select one of the online nursing programs that offer financial aid or scholarships, which can make paying for the program a little easier.
Are there any fully online LPN to RN programs in Arkansas?
While there are many great hybrid options, 100% online LPN to RN programs do not exist. That’s because clinical hours are a requirement for the RN licensure, and those hours are completed in-person.
That said, some hybrid programs may not require you to commute to campus as often or will allow you to complete clinical hours at a healthcare center near you. These options can help you save time, making it easier to balance coursework with a full-time LPN job.
What should I look for in an LPN to RN program in Arkansas?
Before looking at schools, make a checklist of your wants and needs. Whether you’re concerned about the financial aid, the topics covered in the curriculum, or the delivery method schools use, be clear about exactly what you’re looking for.
No matter what’s on your list, however, the school should be accredited. Accreditation ensures that you’re receiving the quality education you need to meet RN licensure requirements.
LPN vs. RN Salaries in Arkansas
Now that you understand what to expect when transitioning from LPN to RN, let’s take a look at your future. The median salary for an RN in Arkansas is $72,920, compared to $48,790 for an LPN.
This nearly 30% increase in pay makes the move to RN more financially rewarding. Even in the 10th percentile, RNs start with salaries of $45,200, which is close to the median LPN pay.
Arkansas is expected to see a 7.5% job growth for RNs, which is higher than the national rate of 5.6%. This also outpaces the 6.7% state growth rate for LPNs.
In the future, Arkansas is expected to add 2,170 RN positions, whereas 730 new jobs are projected for LPNs. This rapid growth makes Arkansas especially promising for RNs both now and in the future.
Dive into the data below for more information on what to expect.
| Occupation | Area | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | Arkansas | $38,100 | $48,790 | $60,390 |
| Registered Nurses | Arkansas | $45,200 | $72,920 | $96,040 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
| Occupation | Area | Curr. Jobs | Proj. Jobs | New Jobs | Growth % | Avg. Ann. Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurses | United States | 3,172,500 | 3,349,900 | 177,400 | 5.60% | 193,100 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | United States | 655,000 | 689,900 | 34,900 | 5.30% | 54,400 |
| Registered Nurses | Arkansas | 28,750 | 30,920 | 2,170 | 7.50% | 1,820 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | Arkansas | 10,930 | 11,660 | 730 | 6.70% | 930 |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
